Have plans yet? If not, you’d better get a move on. Luckily, Central Kentucky restaurants, a winery and bakeries are offering something special for the occasion.
Here are the deals:
■ Back Door Café at Athens Schoolhouse Antiques, 6270 Athens Walnut Hill Road. The café is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Menu includes homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts. Call (859) 255-7309 or go to www.antiqueskentucky.com.
■ Brown’s Bakery, 1397 West Main Street. Owner James Brown is making chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate truffles, brownies, heart-shaped sugar cookies, mini cheesecakes and cupcakes. Gift packaging is available. Call (859) 225-8400 or go to www.brownbakery.com.
■ Campbell’s in Paris, 519 Main Street. A Valentine’s menu, served 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, includes roast quail, lobster tail, beef and shrimp, and prime rib. Prices range from $20.95 to $30.95. Call (859) 987-5164 or go to www.campbellsinparis.com.
■ Carino’s Italian, 2333 Sir Barton Way, (859) 264-1049; 135 Rojay Drive, (859) 245-0091; and 1303 U.S. 127 South in Frankfort, (502) 223-4401. A Valentine’s dinner for two for $29.99 will be offered through Sunday. Entrees include lasagna, spicy shrimp and chicken, and bow-tie festival. Go to www.carinos.com.
■ Durango’s Mexican restaurant, 2121 Richmond Road. Fajitas for two, $15.95, will be offered along with burritos for $7.75. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Call (859) 268-0723.
■ Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter Street, Midway. Valentine’s Day is sold out, but the “aphrodisiac menu” is offered throughout February. Included are caviar, lobster and oysters. A sweetheart brunch will be served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (859) 846-4732 or go to www.hollyhillinn.com.
■ Jean Farris Winery, 6825 Old Richmond Road. The restaurant is booked for Saturday night, but the same prix fixe menu will be served Friday and Sunday nights. A brunch, with wine pairings, will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is $45. Call (859) 263-9463 or go www.jeanfarris.com.
■ Little Moon Bistro, 502 North Main Street, Nicholasville. Valentine menu will be served Friday and Saturday and features filet mignon, jumbo shrimp, and salmon and asparagus napoleon. Call (859) 881-8225.
■ Marrika’s, 411 Southland Drive. Valentine special on Saturday features paprika chicken in wine sauce for $11.95. Free strawberry shortcake with entrée. Call (859) 275-1925.
■ Mulligan’s 1804 Alexandria Drive. A prix fixe menu will be served, in addition to the regular menu, for $50 a couple. Entrées are seared lamb shanks or roasted quail. Call (859) 277-0071.
■ Natasha’s Bistro, 112 Esplanade. Seatings are at 6:45 and 9:30 p.m. Entertainment by Surprise Theater and Ellery. The cost is $75 a couple and $39 a person for the first seating, $44 a couple and $25 a person for second seating. Call (859) 259.2754 or go to www.beetnik.com.
■ Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway. A four-course dinner for two is $34.95 and will be served from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to www.thaiorchidcafe.net
■ Thoroughbred Shop, 2005 Versailles Road. A Godiva chocolate liqueur tasting will be Friday. Call (859) 254-0358.
■ Tinker’s Cake Shop, 109 Springdale Drive, Nicholasville. The bakery has champagne truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries and heart-shaped sugar cookies. Call (859) 224-0639 or go to www.tinkerscakeshop.com.
2 all-you-can-eat eateries close
During an economic downturn, you’d think that all-you-can eat buffet restaurants would be among the most likely to do well. But two of Lexington’s buffet restaurants have closed.
Ryan’s Buffet, 701 Red Mile Road, and Fire Mountain Grill, 1973 Bryant Road, have been shuttered. The restaurants are owned by Buffets Holdings, which filed for Chapter 11 in January.
The Ryan’s location in Richmond, 2019 Colby Taylor, will remain open. Call (859) 625-1996 or go to www.ryans.com.
Price cut
The owners of Murray’s one of Lexington’s top restaurants, have decided to make the restaurant, 3955 Harrodsburg Road, more casual and less expensive.
“It’s the same quality, just lower prices,” co-owner Jennifer Murray said.
There are lower appetizer prices, and sandwiches are available in the dining room as well as the bar. The average entree now costs $16.95. Call (859) 219-9922 or go to www.murrays-merrick.com
