Lexington, KY - Horse Capital of the World

Bluegrass Flavors and Feel: 3/26/12

 In the world of Lexington dining, one can go modern, one can go local, one can sample ethnic or one can do a blend of all three while time-traveling back to the natural foods movement of the early Seventies.

All one need do is go to Alfalfa.

http://www.alfalfarestaurant.com/index.html

Open since 1973, it has been a gathering spot and destination, part of the local lore and local color, supporting artists and growers while feeding diners ranging from professors to plumbers, farmers to feminists, athletes to architects, and every other spectrum where alliteration may apply.

Alfalfa’s servers are not of one stripe, either. You urban types out there know how much we love our servers to have character. You won’t get the usual “Hi, I am so-and-so, and I will be taking care of you” here. Instead, anyone from the warm if somewhat monosyllabic mom-type who happens to be a professional vegetable gardener to the bouncy and bright twenty-something with multiple tats and piercings may take your order.

The décor has remained fairly faithful to the original era as well. The walls are exposed brick, there’s enough plant life to remind you that we are striving for a green vibe here, two picture windows shed light and look out to the Main Street sidewalk with a view of the central branch of the Lexington Public Library.

If you are visiting downtown Lexington with time for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you are expected to visit Alfalfa, just to say you’ve done it, althoooooo’—you won’t find better Hoppin’ John, burgers and meat loaf made from Kentucky beef, or terrific grilled cheese and avocado sandwiches anywhere else in the city.