Lexington food scene lands national recognition. Here's what to know

Lexington’s culinary reputation is getting a boost this summer, with a Lexington ice cream shop competing for a national title and a local Italian restaurant earning praise from a major trade publication.

Here are key takeaways:

• Three Kentucky ice cream parlors are competing in The64’s Best Ice Cream in America bracket tournament, including Lexington’s Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream alongside Louisville’s The Comfy Cow and Dairy Del.
• Voting kicks off with the round of 64 on Thursday, July 16, and championship voting runs from July 31 through Aug. 3 on The64.com, a site that applies tournament brackets to everyday debates.
• Crank & Boom began at the family-owned Thai Orchid Cafe in 2010 and opened its first storefront in Lexington’s distillery district in 2015, using local ingredients like Hosey’s Honey from Midway and Windstone Farm blackberry jam.
• Lexington’s Mileta was named one of FSR Magazine’s Top 50 Independent Restaurants in America, a list highlighting mom-and-pop owners creating unique dining experiences.
• The Italian-inspired restaurant at Fayette Mall is known for housemade pastas, seasonal menus and craft cocktails, opened in 2024 by owners Dallas Rose and Alex Green.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.