 There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and, ideally, answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. The Five W's + H: Who: World traveling power couple (self-proclaimed) plus an America-traveling cat (Sophia) that would honestly rather just stay home please and thank you What: Top 5 places to drink up Where: Lexington, Kentucky When: June 2023 - September 2023 Why: In need of some peace and quiet after our marathon Euro-excursion, we settled on the small college town of Lexington. This serendipitous summertime stay also gave us the opportunity to make a pit stop in Dallas to tell tales to family and friends of our European experience. + How: First, we breezed north on I-45 to spend a few nights in lowest Greenville, Dallas. Then we made our way northeast for a brief squat in Little Rock, Arkansas, on into Tennessee for a few days in smokey Nashville, and then just a short drive up into Kentucky before our arrival in UK-land: Lexington. All told our seated buns traveled more than 1,000 miles over nearly 16 hours of driving. Top 5 Places to Drink Up: Lexington, KentuckyColes 735 Main (735 E Main St. Lexington, Kentucky 40502) Quotable: "Locally-sourced neighborhood fine dining." One of the first places we had the pleasure of perusing just so happened to be less than a mile from our home base. Coles 735 Main is a locally owned and operated eatery that features onsite cured meats, grown veggies, and baked breads for a fresh dining experience. Cole's prides itself on using seasonal ingredients, which means much of this restaurant's menu is ever-evolving. We enjoyed their summer/fall options but you may have some new savory surprises in store depending on when you visit. A superb way to start your meal here is with the Jackfruit Crab Cake. This app is modeled after your traditionally crab-filled counterpart, but this jackfruit version is a perfectly grilled palette pleaser. One of the more unique options on the menu is the Impossible Meatloaf (pictured above). Just like Mom used to make, minus the cow, this meatless-loaf could fool even the most avid beef-based meatloaf authority. Served with a side of crunchy potatoes and crisp green beans, this dish is curated specially to satisfy your home cooking craving. Next up is the Pasta Primavera (pictured above), which is an excellent entree to dig into. Combine spaghetti noodles, castelvetrano piedicolle (Sicily-grown green olive sauce), red onion, mixed peppers, heirloom grape tomatoes, feta and crispy capers and you've got a primo(vera?) pasta dish in which to partake. Lexington may not be known for it's authentic south-of-the-border cuisine, but just down Main Street from the aforementioned Coles 735 Main, La Taquiza (630 Main, to be exact) has some of the best Mexican-food around. The fresh Guacamole with house-made tostadas chips (pictured above moonlighting as a topping to a burrito bowl) isn't your run-of-the-mill guac. Painstakingly picked avocados pay the price for your guacamole craving as they're peeled, gutted, and smashed into perfect dip-worthy consistency. Top with some fresh pickled onions (or even add to your favorite burrito bowl) and you've got guacamole glory at your tortilla chip salted fingertips. After enjoying your app, grab a Burrito Veggie (pictured above). Taquiza takes a giant flour tortilla and packs it with roasted corn, chile poblano, rice, beans, avocado sauce, pico de gallo, cilantro, tortilla strips, sour cream, and cheese. Tack on a quick trip to the grill to add some much needed crunch, and this veggie burrito morphs into your next appetizing addiction. Mirror Twin Brewing (723 National Ave Lexington, KY 40502) Quotable: "Cutting edge cocktail bar and terrific house-brewed taproom with a vast beer selection." Crafting the perfect cocktail can be a daunting task, but Mirror Twin Brewing makes it look easy with a plethora of delicious drink options. This unique set up tallies two taprooms: one being more of your traditional brewery, boasting more than 20 beers on tap. The other, for the cocktail connoisseur, exudes a lounge-type vibe with mixed drinks, local Kentucky bourbon by the ounce, and a smaller selection of their house-brewed beer. It being Kentucky, Mirror Twin boasts a rotating local bourbon list that can be ordered mixed with your favorite cocktail (Kentucky bourbon old fashioned anyone?), or sipped neat on its own. The mixed drinks here change with the seasons, but during our stay the summer cocktail selection was—as the cool kids said about a decade ago--absolute fire. The Vodka Sour and Peach Julep (both pictured above) are two favorites, putting a unique twist on the classic sour substituting dark bourbon with clear vodka and the other infusing delicious peach flavor into your typical mint julep. If you're visiting a brewery, the Citranomical IPA is a must-sip. Its combination of bitter hops with tart and slightly sweet citrus tag teams your tastebuds into savory submission. Second place goes to the Mos Def IPA, slightly heartier and hoppier than the Citranomical and full of flavor. Last, but not least is a lighter option aptly named White Girl Wasted—a blonde ale with slight hop and citrus that goes down smooth. Rolling Oven (725 National Ave Lexington, KY 40502) Quotable: "Pizza, bar snacks, and more conveniently located inside Mirror Twin Brewing." Whether you're grabbing a cocktail or beer at Mirror Twin Brewing, or just here for the wood-fired fare, Rolling Oven is your go-to for great grub. A unique way to begin said grubbing is with the Avocado Bruschetta Skins (pictured above). This fresh avocado appetizer is packed with flavor—topped with diced tomatoes, red onions, garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, and balsamic reduction and is served with crispy brick oven-toasted baguette slices. As you may have already deduced, Rolling Oven features a wood-fired brick oven grill and they don't hesitate to fire that bad boy up to craft some palate pleasing pies. The Pizza Bianca (pictured above) is stacked with olive oil, garlic, fresh mozzarella, and finished with fresh basil. The golden crust has just the right amount of crunch, while the simple yet savory cheesy goodness on top sets the stage for each flavorful bite. Blue Door Smokehouse (226 Walton Avenue Lexington, KY 40502) Quotable: "No frills BBQ joint smoking up some of the best brisket around." As a Texas barbecue trumpeter I have high standards when it comes to brisket, and the Brisket Sandwich at Blue Door Smokehouse does not disappoint. The smoke, the succulence, the hint of heat from the spice—this Texan's taste buds are touched. Tack on a side of piled high potato salad and you have the smokehouse lunch of champions.
Most people may not think of Kentucky as much of a foodie's paradise, but this blogger was pleasantly surprised at the quality and abundance of great local fare Lexington has to offer. So don't fear, dear reader. If you happen to find yourself in Lexington for work or play, this college burg boasts a culinary standard that will not leave you disappointed—particularly if you visit one of the now Nurse Your Travel Thirst-sanctified spots listed above.
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