Recent openings and closures reshape Kentucky dining scene

This collection of stories highlights new restaurant openings, notable closures and shifting business strategies in Kentucky's dining scene.

Readers will learn about the closing of Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, known for its Flamin’ Hot Cheeto street corn, and the limited single barrel bourbon release and new distillery opening at RD1 Distillery at The Commons. KSBar & Grille takes a summer break for renovations.

Ouita Michel and Angela Beck launch Penny’s at Pomegranate with a grab-and-go focus, and Azur Restaurant and Patio returns after resolving lease issues. The opening of The Aldenberg Hotel adds a rooftop bar and restaurant to downtown Versailles, while the launch of Cafe Patachou brings a James Beard semi-finalist to The Summit at Fritz Farm.

Read the stories below.

The former Woodford Bank and Trust, at 101 W. Main St., will soon become The Aldenberg Hotel, a 29-room boutique hotel with a steak restaurant and a rooftop bar. The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2025. By Photo provided

NO. 1: NEW BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH ROOFTOP BAR COMING TO VERSAILLES THIS SUMMER

Formerly known as The Rickhouse, the owners unveiled a new name and brand for the boutique hotel this week. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Beth Musgrave

RD1 Distillery is celebrating the opening of their new Lexington distillery and bourbon bar with a special release: A Single Barrel 12-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at cask strength. It’s priced at $799, comes with a special decanter and a bourbon tasting with University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops, who is an investor.

NO. 2: LEXINGTON BOURBON MAKER OFFERS SPECIAL RELEASE, TASTING WITH UK COACH MARK STOOPS

The bottle celebrates the opening of their new distillery and bourbon bar. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Elotes, also known as Mexican street corn, were popular items available on the menu in various flavors during the soft opening at Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, Lexington’s first Southern California-style taqueria, on Wednesday evening, September 23, 2020. The restaurant opens to the public on Friday. By Rob Bolson

NO. 3: LEXINGTON TACO RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR FLAMIN’ HOT CHEETO STREET CORN CLOSES

The location near UK opened less than five years ago. What happened? | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

The new Garrard County Distilling Co. sits on 210 acres in Lancaster, south of Lexington.

NO. 4: CLOSED KENTUCKY BOURBON DISTILLERY TAKEN OVER BY COURT. BANK ALLEGES $26M+ OWED

Operations have ceased and all workers have been furloughed, according to court filings. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Chef Ouita Michel at Penny’s at Pomegranate, Friday, May 10,2025. (Photo by James Crisp)

NO. 5: OUITA MICHEL AND ANGELA BECK LAUNCH NEW RESTAURANT, FEATURING TO-GO OPTIONS

Chef Ouita Michel has joined forces with textile designer Angela Beck to open a new cafe, featuring courtyard dining and grab-and-go options. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Patti Nickell

The former Social Vegan space in Greyline Station is now occupied by Thea’s Bass & Biddy Kitchen, which serves Detroit style fried chicken and fish and more. By Janet Patton

NO. 6: FRIED FISH AND CHICKEN RESTAURANT IS MOVING OUT OF LEXINGTON’S GREYLINE STATION

“We will be back,” Thea Mason, owner of Thea’s Bass & Biddy Kitchen, said in Facebook video. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Karla Ward

Cafe Patachou is a breakfast and lunch restaurant from Indiana. The menu includes sandwiches such as the Waffled Grilled Cheese, made with Cheddar and Swiss on “waffled” sourdough with a Parmesan crust, served with a cup of tomato artichoke soup.

NO. 7: NEW RESTAURANT FROM JAMES BEARD SEMI-FINALIST OPENING THIS FALL IN LEXINGTON

It’s one of two new tenants coming to The Summit at Fritz Farm shopping center. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

The Surf & Turf dish ($42) at Azur Restaurant and Patio, shown Monday, May 20, 2025 in Lexington, Ky. Marinated and then grilled skirt steak is topped with a mint and pineapple chimichirri and shrimp and then served with sautéed haricots verts and melting potatoes. By Brian Simms

NO. 8: LEXINGTON RESTAURANT THAT CLOSED IS BACK JUST IN TIME FOR PATIO SEASON

What’s changing and what isn’t at Azur in Beaumont after a five-month closure. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

KSBar and Grille is now scheduled to open early next week. By Sally Scherer

NO. 9: POPULAR LEXINGTON SPORTS BAR TEMPORARILY CLOSING. WHEN IS IT COMING BACK?

The restaurant, known for its UK memorabilia and burgers, is closing down for the summer. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

The Melting Pot recently reopened several closed locations including one in St. Petersburg.

NO. 10: THIS RESTAURANT CHAIN EYES A RETURN TO LEXINGTON AFTER 10 YEARS

The restaurant says Lexington is one of its top target markets. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

Oscar style medallions is one of the most popular dishes at Carson’s. The dish features two 4 oz. filet medallions served on Yukon Gold garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus, then topped with béarnaise and truffle buttered crab and lobster. By Brian Simms

NO. 11: CARSON’S EXPANDING, OPENING NEW DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON RESTAURANT

The popular restaurant has new plans for a nearby space in downtown Lexington. | Published June 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.