Ouita Michel was participating in farm-to-table before it was even cool. Her restaurants have purchased almost $3 million of Kentucky-grown meats, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables over the last 16 years. This is your guide to enjoying all of Ouita’s famous restaurants as well as how to make a day of it while exploring horse AND bourbon country. Where will your first stop be?
Honeywood
110 Summit at Fritz Farm, Lexington
honeywoodrestaurant.com
Honeywood is committed to incorporating as much locally grown meat and produce as possible into its menu items. With an extensive menu featuring everything from sweet potato beignets to a duck-fat basted New York strip, this charming restaurant also offers a special brunch menu on Sundays.
Featured Dishes
Sweet Potato Beignets, Huntsman Cassoulet, and Beetloaf.
Nearby
Explore and shop at the Summit at Fritz Farm. With 60 street-level shops, Fritz Farm is the perfect spot for a bit of shopping, followed by a bite to eat.
Smithtown Seafood
501 West Sixth Street, Lexington
smithtownseafood.com
A venture full of creative and traditional made-from-scratch dishes that feature local, sustainable ingredients. Greens, herbs, and tilapia are sourced from neighboring urban farm, FoodChain. Menu options aplenty – wild-caught fried catfish, flavorful salads, fresh-shucked oysters, ethnic Tilapia dishes, and more.
Featured Dishes
Buffalo or Blackened Catfish, Calamari Tacos, and Singapore Salad.
Nearby
After you grab a bite, take part in a West Sixth Brewery tour.
Windy Corner
4595 Bryan Station Road, Lexington
windycornermarket.com
Smack dab in the middle of horse country, everything here is locally grown. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Enjoy a fresh, home-style meal followed by an ice cream cone while sitting on the screened-in porch, surrounded by lilacs and horses.
Featured Dishes
Kentucky Catfish Po-Boy, Breakfast – BLT Egg Po Boy or Pancake Big Breakfast.
Nearby
Book a horse farm tour through Horse Country Inc. at Spendthrift Horse Farm.
Holly Hill Inn
426 North Winter Street, Midway
hollyhillinn.com
On the National Register of Historic Places, Holly Hill Inn prides itself on its use of fresh seasonal ingredients and local produce. This fine-dining restaurant offers multicourse and prix fixe menus at dinner and a weekend three-course brunch. Holly Hill Inn’s bar includes more than 50 bourbons and an award-winning wine list.
Featured Dishes
Pork Chop Bourbonnaise, Shrimp and Grits, and Country Ham Biscuits.
Nearby
Equus Run Vineyards is just a short 5-minute drive down the road.
Midway Bakery
510 South Winter Street, Midway
themidwaybakery.com
From cookies and pies to scones and more, Midway Bakery creates recipes from scratch with real butter and natural ingredients. The flours come from Weisenberger Mill down the road, and the chocolate hails from Ruth Hunt Candies in Mount Sterling. Farm-to-table has always been the norm for this bakery.
Featured Dishes
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie or one or more of many flavors of their BIG, delicious cookies.
Nearby
Enjoy a stroll through Downtown Midway. This quaint main street is filled with boutiques, specialty shops, restaurants, and more.
Wallace Station
3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles
wallacestation.com
Farm hands and socialites alike are fond of all the food found in this country café. Located on a gorgeous Kentucky backroad, in the middle of horse country and not far from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this scenic stop has irresistible homemade sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Featured Dishes
The Turkey Rachel, Ouita’s Favorite Salad, Country Ham, and Pimento Cheese.
Nearby
Before heading to Wallace Station, start your day at Keeneland with morning workouts or an official Keeneland tour. Then take Pisgah Pike to Old Frankfort for the scenic drive to Wallace Station.
Penny's
104 Clay Avenue, Lexington
pennyslex.com
Penny's brings fresh, locally inspired bites to the heart of Lexington. Located at Pomegranate, the cafe-style spot offers thoughtfully prepared lunch items and snacks featuring seasonal ingredients and partnerships with local producers. They also incorporate green practices such as compostable dishware and silverware and reusable food-grade plastic containers into daily operations.
Featured Dishes
Eggy Salad, Protein Power Bites, and Pimento Cheese
Nearby
Clay's Avenue has a unique collection of shops, including children's fashion, home goods, men's and women's clothing, and gifts and souvenirs.
