The Coach House is coming back the way it was | Lexington Herald Leader

Stanley Demos, former owner of The Coach House, was in town this week visiting family, and he dropped by the location on South Broadway to see what was happening at the restaurant he turned into a landmark.

The building, empty for months, is on its way to becoming the grand Coach House again. Karen and Nasser Zamareh expect to have the restaurant open in a week or so.

Karen, who spent her teen years living around Cynthiana, remembers going to The Coach House for dinner. She and her husband were living in Texas when she began to yearn for home. ”I was looking on the Internet and saw the Coach House building and explained the history to my husband,“ she said. ”He decided we could do this, and we half-made a deal over the telephone, sight unseen.“

Nasser is a trained chef, and the ­Zamarehs also have hired Cameron Irvin as chef. The Coach House will be open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The bar will feature specialty appetizers. Call (859) 288-7570.

Inspection scores will be posted

Starting May 14, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department will require restaurants to post their most recent inspection scores in a conspicuous spot near the business's entrance. Scores of 85 or higher with no four- or five-point violations will be posted with a numeric value in green; scores of 84 or lower or those with four- or five- point violations will be posted in red.

Midway dinner and a movie night

Ouita Michel is teaming with Jim and John McDaniel, owners of the restored Thoroughbred Theater in Midway, for a ­dinner and a movie event Thursday.

Michel, chef-owner of Holly Hill Inn, will prepare a dinner inspired by the 1978 comedy Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?

The party begins at 6:30 p.m. with passed hors d'oeuvres. At 7, Michel will talk about the menu and prepare the first course. There will be two intermissions with time for questions and short cooking lessons. A cash bar will feature wines selected by Chris Michel. Cost is $36. Call Thoroughbred Theater at (859) 846-9827 or Holly Hill at (859) 846-4732.

Spring comes to a la lucie

A la lucie, 159 North Limestone, has a new spring menu. Along with house favorites such as bourbon-Tabasco pork chops and chicken phyllo, the menu now includes a charcuterie plate with foie gras terrine, rabbit fricassee, grilled lamb chops and rib-eye steak with blue cheese butter. Call (859) 252-5277 or visit www.alalucie.net.

Sahara takes Sundays off the menu

Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine, 3061 Fieldstone Way, is no longer open ­Sundays. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The restaurant, which serves lunch specials for $5.49, also provides catering and butchering. Chef Sam Sayyed will cut whole lambs or goats to order from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Call (859) 224-1138.

Good things in small batches

Spirits Liquor and Party Superstore is open in Brannon Crossing Shopping Center. Samplings are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and ­Saturday. This weekend's ­sampling will feature the Jim Beam Small Batch collection. Call (859) 273-7465.

Tuscan tastes return to Chrisman Mill

Tuscan dinners are back at Chrisman Mill Vineyards. Every third Friday of the month, an eight-course meal will feature recipes that chef-owner Denise Nelson picked up during a trip to Tuscany. The cost is $50.

Additionally, Tuscan trattoria and tango night will be April 26 featuring tango ­lessons and a five-course meal served family style. It will be in a tent in the vineyard. The cost is $49. Call (859) 881-5007 or visit www.chrismanmill.com. The winery is at 2385 Chrisman Mill Road in Nicholasville.

A.P. Roots adds Saturday brunch

A.P. Roots, 355 Romany Road, now is open for Saturday brunch. The menu, served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., features eggs from local farms, Belgian waffles, apple beignets, sandwiches and pizzas. Call (859) 367-6687.

Blue Grass Farmers Market reopens

Blue Grass Farmers Market opens ­Saturday at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet bike shop and Fast Signs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farmers will have flowers, eggs, baked goods and plants.