Burgers, breakfast all day: First look at new Lexington restaurant by PieTana pizza owner

While many local restaurateurs have struggled to remain in business in recent months due to the COVID pandemic, Sean Nealey, owner of PieTana Wood Fired Oven on Rosemont Garden is bucking the trend.

Nealy has opened a second restaurant, Rosemont Station, next door to his pizza place, PieTana, at 222 Rosemont Garden in the former location of the short-lived restaurant, Painted Taco.

The location is also the former site of the Rosemont Ashland gas station built in 1945. The restaurant has retained the building’s garage doors which will be open, warmer weather permitting.

The menu features burgers, breakfast all day, and a full bar — and there is covered outdoor patio seating in front. Combined seating, including twelve bar seats, will accommodate just over forty people.

I visited Rosemont Station for a first bite review during their soft opening (their grand opening is June 1) and while it is not true Lexington gas station dining, the interior design plays off the location’s filling station history including hubcaps and license plates on the walls, and two car hoods mounted over the bar.

The vibe is laid-back, comfortable, casual, and that of a place where neighborhood friends meet up to hang out.

Rosemont Station menu

The initial menu is simplified for now and will be expanded in the near future, according to Harrison Whaley, the restaurant’s manager.

“Everything on the menu is available from open to close. You can order a burger for breakfast or order breakfast as long as we are open.”

Appetizers include: Demon Eggs, $9 (deviled eggs topped with bacon and smoked paprika, served with fried jalapeños, berries, and cheese); Mustang Nachos, $11 (nachos fried fresh with ground beef, Mexican rice, black beans, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, salsa verde, and sunny side up egg); Avanti Avocado Toast, $9 (avocado spread on baguette toast topped with hard boiled egg); Villanueva Poutine, $9 (waffle fries topped with ground beef, gravy, and cheese curds); and Stratos Strawberry Bruschetta, $9 (toast bites topped with honey and thyme-infused ricotta cheese, basil, fresh strawberries and balsamic).

I sampled the Demon Eggs and the Mustang Nachos and enjoyed both. The nachos were as good as any I have had in Lexington. The sunny side up egg was a new twist on nachos for me and I look forward to returning soon and ordering the delicious and filling dish again.

The burgers and sandwiches portion of the menu includes a create-your-own-burger — Rosemont Station’s signature butter burger made fresh daily with beef from Critchfield Meats — served with fries and topped any way you like (cheese, mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, relish, jalapeños, or salsa verde), $9. Add bacon, guacamole, or fried egg for $1. Add an extra butter burger patty for $2 more.

There is also the Willy’s Waffle Burger served with fries, $9; The Preeeeeeus (black bean burger topped with lettuce, tomato, guacamole, fried Mexican rice and sunny side up egg), $11; the Super Bird (grilled chicken breast on pretzel bun with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo), $10; the Firebird (fried chicken tenders on pretzel bun tossed in buffalo sauce and topped with lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese dressing), $11; and the Vettedog (chipotle and bacon filled sausage stuffed into a waffled bun and served with fries and a spicy honey dipping sauce), $9.

The “Brunchy Kinda Stuff” portion of the menu includes a 2 Egg Breakfast with choice of bacon or sausage, toast, and waffle, $7; Chicken & Waffle, $12; Steak & Waffle, $14; Shrimp & Waffle, $14; and the Bentley Breakfast Board (choice of beignets, waffle, or chocolate waffle, served with cheese, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, and various dipping sauces), $15. An order of beignets is also available for $6.

Soft drinks include Pepsi products, $2; KY Iced Integritea (iced black tea or iced Bluegrass breeze), $2.25; and Nate’s Yo Wake Up Coffee, $2.50.

A la carte options available for $3 each include 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, 4 toast slices, waffle, chocolate waffle, grits, or mashed potatoes.

Rob Bolson is a local foodie who prides himself on eating local. Often. You can follow him on Instagram @RobbieBolson.

Rosemont Station

Where: 222 Rosemont Garden

Hours: To be determined upon official opening – Most likely 8:00 a.m. (or 10:00 a.m.) until 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 11:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Online: facebook.com/Rosemont-Station-184834916484620

This story was originally published May 27, 2021 at 6:00 AM.