See the ‘coastal vibes’ at Lexington’s newest downtown fine-dining restaurant
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The V opens Sept. 12 with seafood-driven fine dining on Lexington's 9th floor.
- Chef Cole Arimes partners with The Vine to lead menu rooted in coastal fare.
- Memberships cap at 900 in 2025; public gets reservation access without perks.
A new fine-dining restaurant that hopes “you feel transported from Lexington the minute you get off the elevator,” will open with picturesque views nine stories up and one of the city’s top chef’s leading the kitchen.
Jacquie Meriwether, co-founder of The Vine, a downtown Lexington office being turned into upscale condominiums, a private dining club, rooftop pool and more, will open its public restaurant Sept. 12.
The members-only part of the nine-story development, located at 106 W. Vine St., directly across the street from Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and the hotels at City Center, is still under renovation. But the restaurant open to the public, The V, and its seafood-focused menu is bringing “coastal vibes,” executive chef Cole Arimes said.
Arimes, who owns popular Lexington restaurants Coles 735 Main and Epping’s on Eastside, is partnering with the developer, Jeremy Delk, to open The V.
“I love just all the seafood that we have on the menu,” said Arimes.
Both Coles and Epping’s are going strong and will continue to operate, said Arimes, who was pulled to the project by the seafood.
“That was the hook that got me,” said Arimes. “We do a lot of fresh seafood at Epping’s and Coles, but don’t really have a menu that’s centered around it. That’s going to open up as we progress (at The V) and really train the diner to trust us, and we’ll get a little more funky and have a little more fun. That’s kind of what we did at Cole’s and Epping’s.”
Meriwether said they wanted the fun to start right away for guests, stepping off the elevator and getting hit with a surprise wave of blue lights simulating water.
“We’ve taken a lot of the things that we’ve been to — coastal areas — and try to bring it here so that people will begin to stay here and have a social staycation,” said Meriwether.
What is included in a membership at The Vine?
That “staycation” approach for the members-only part of The Vine, which is still under construction, includes The Bar at the Vine Club rooftop restaurant with its upscale casual menu. Cabanas will be available at the rooftop 16-by-40-foot heated pool, as well as balconies overlooking the city.
Members also get access to amenities at the eighth floor spa including hot tub, sauna, champagne and juice bar and private balcony. Massage services cost extra.
“We are close to capacity. I’m sure as we open our doors officially to the public, we’ll start capping the memberships,” said director of memberships Kelly Wilson.
Membership will be capped at 900 for this year and then at 1,500 once all amenities are available. A social membership costs $1,500 annually and gets you priority reservations for The V restaurant.
What’s on the menu at the restaurant at The V?
Arimes said the menu likely will change soon since fall is coming and they will get new seasonal fish selections. Plus, they will adapt to what feedback they get.
“I might love it, everyone here might love it, but, you know, the guests at the table are really what’s gonna drive what we do,” said Arimes, noting the reviews on the jumbo lump crab cake appetizer ($38) have been very positive. “It’s the first crab cake I’ve had on the menu in a while.”
The first- and second-course menu are seafood-forward with She-Crab Soup ($21) and a rotation of fresh options that might include caviar, oysters on the half shell and yellowtail.
While there are some meat entrées (lamb rack, $65; dry-aged prime T-bone steak, market price), the sea is the main attraction with half the options being seafood. Grilled halibut en papillote ($62), lobster tail tortellini ($65) and a scallop dish ($61) are featured.
Arimes said tableside service might happen with Dover sole ($70) and salt-baked branzino (market price), but they are trying to figure out logistics.
Either way, Arimes said, he is loving cooking up dishes he normally does not work with.
“To play with that kind of seafood and see it go out and see the people enjoy it, I’m just excited about that,” said Arimes.
The V
Where: Ninth floor, 106 W Vine St.
Open to the public: Sept. 12
How to make reservations: Online at thevinelex.com
Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 4:30 AM.
