See how Carson’s Back Porch is different from its other restaurants
A new, “upscale, approachable” concept from the owners of one of Lexington’s most popular restaurants is about to open in the back of its original downtown location.
Carson’s Back Porch is opening May 18 at 321 E. Vine St. with a menu of more seafood and steaks, including prime cuts, than its two sister restaurants, Carson’s Food & Drink on Main and at Andover.
The new restaurant is opening after an extensive renovation in the former Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken location, which closed last August.
How is Back Porch different from Carson’s?
Co-owner Mark Fichtner says there are a number of differences between the Back Porch and Carson’s two other locations, including a slightly higher price point.
“We just took what we do in the comfort zone that we are, and we just stepped it up a notch,” said Fichtner.
“We want people to come in shorts, and we want people to come dressed up if they want,” said Fichtner. “We want them to come as they are. We don’t want them to feel like they’re going out and spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars, because they don’t have to here. But we also want it to feel like it is a little bit more upscale. It’s a perfect date night place.”
Fichtner says he and his wife, Carson’s president and co-owner Jayme, renovated the space to give it a feeling of dining outdoors in the evening on a Charleston, South Carolina, porch.
Five giant chandeliers, each topped with a black and white umbrella, give soft light inside the restaurant, which is darker than Carson’s. Flickering copper lanterns adorn the tufted booths along the exposed brick walls as white table cloth tables — something Carson’s does not have — rest under the chandeliers.
“I have to tip my hat to my wife and her ability to take a space and to make it magic,” said Fichtner, noting details like the Dolly Parton-themed women’s restroom featuring iconic pictures of the music legend surrounded by Versace wallpaper and lit with a seashell chandelier.
What’s on the menu at Carson’s Back Porch?
Fichtner says they wanted to find a balance between steak and seafood at the Back Porch. The menu has 11 steak options, including three prime selections — 18 oz. ribeye ($81), 12 oz. New York strip ($73) and 8 oz. filet ($69).
Each steak comes with Béarnaise or House steak sauce, choice of salad and one side item. There are also two filet options; Oscar style (6 oz.: $50; 8 oz. $65) and Au Poive (6 oz.: $48; 8 oz. $63).
Seafood stands out at the Back Porch — 18 items on the menu — the Millionaire’s Baked Potato being the highlight. A baked potato stuffed with shrimp, crab and lobster sautéed in garlic butter is served in a bowl of seafood bisque and then topped with a crème fraîche, chives, caviar and a lobster tail.
Fichtner wanted to create “a talkable dish” with the potato entrée ($44).
“If you have a dish that is a six, how do u make it go to a 10?” said Fichtner.
Another talker, and one you would not expect to find at an upscale restaurant, is the Knife & Fork Corn Dog ($18). The nostalgic, fun dish features an all-beef kosher hot dog dipped in homemade batter, fried and served on a bed of fried onions with garlic Parmesan fries and a tangy carnival mustard.
There’s a selection of sandwiches, including the Hot Buttered Lobster Rolls ($38) to go along with new entrées like Sweet Tea Peach Salmon ($36) and Sea Bass Oscar Style ($46). Only one burger is on the Back Porch menu, compared to six at Carson’s.
There are nine menu items from Carson’s, including favorites like Shaved Prime Rib sandwich ($21) and Sweet & Spicy Ribs ($30). But the bulk of the Southern-inspired fare are new options.
“Charleston is a lot about being outside. And so when we talked about the Back Porch, we wanted to bring the back porch inside, and we felt that Charleston was a really good southern influence on some of the items that we have,” said Fichtner.
Carson’s Back Porch
Where: 321 E Vine St., behind Carson’s Food & Drink on Main
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
Reservations: 859-309-3039; carsonsbackporch.com
Parking: The lot next door to Carson’s has more than 50 free spaces. There is also metered street parking on Water Street (behind Carson’s/Back Porch) and on Main Street (in-front of Carson’s and the Back Porch).
Happy Hour: 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; $2 off appetizers, well drinks and draft all wines by the glass. Old Fashioned Happy Hour: $10 Old Fashioneds
Kid friendly: Yes, with children’s menu available
Dress code: No
