Flavors of Kentucky

Easter Sunday is a big family day for restaurants and an opportunity to add a little springtime to their menus. Here are places that are offering something special for the holiday, on Sunday.
■ Breaking Bread Café with Jazz, 17 Wainscott Street, in Winchester will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Choice of one meat, three vegetables and dessert is $8.99. The restaurant is in the People Helping People building. Call (859) 771-6108 or (859) 745 6813.
■ The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving brunch and dinner. The menu includes roasted leg of lamb, salmon croquettes and eggs Benedict. Call (859) 226-0300.
■ Stonefence Bistro, 730 Main Street in Paris, is normally closed on Sundays but will open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Easter brunch. The menu features half rack of lamb, honey-orange glazed ham and chocolate French toast. Items are priced under $13. Call (859) 402-2009.
■ Three Suns Bistro, 298 East Brannon Road, in Brannon Crossing, Jessamine County, will serve brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes leg of lamb with mint sauce, turkey breast with sage dressing, and pecan fried chicken. Cost is $25. Call (859) 245-0048 or go to www.threesunsbistro.com.
■ Varden’s, 509 Main Street, in Paris will serve an Easter buffet 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included are pork tenderloin, hot Brown, and filet of sole, Cost is $24.95. Call (859) 987-4700 or go to www.vardens.com.
■ Wayne Masterman’s group of restaurants will have specials along with their regular dinner menus. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Portofino, 249 East Main Street, (859) 253-9300, and at Summit, 1097 Duval Street, (859) 271-1400. Frankfort’s Serafini, 243 West Broadway, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; call (502) 875-5599.
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Let the cooks at the Greek Orthodox Church make something special for your Easter feast at home. Stop by the church’s annual pastry sale for spanakopita, baklava, and ravani cake. The bake sale is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the church, 920 Tates Creek Road. Call (859) 245-4057 or (859) 223-6267.
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Wine in Wonderland at Heard It Through the Grapevine features cuisine from 35 restaurant and caterers. The party will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Campbell House, 1375 South Broadway. Tickets are $85. Call (859) 257-3221 or go to www.wuky.org.
One of the vendors at Heard it Through the Grapevine will be Dad’s Favorites. Guests can sample four cheese spreads: Swiss cheese, smokey pimento cheese, chipotle cheddar and asiago sun dried tomato. The product now is available at Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati. Call (859) 276-0001.
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Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway, is celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year. Five special noodle dishes will be served Monday through April 18.
“In Thai and Chinese cultures, noodles represent happiness and long life,” chef Toa Veerasethakul Green said.
Included are spaghetti noodles stir-fried with ground beef in a spicy basil sauce, and egg noodles with topped with shrimp, scallops and calamari in a spicy seafood broth. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to www.thaiorchidcafe.net.
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Lexington Farmers Market opens at 7 a.m. Saturday at its new location, in Cheapside Park. Vendors will be selling spring greens and lettuces, hydroponic tomatoes, organic and natural meats, honey, eggs, cheeses, breads, herbs and spices, chocolates, sorghum, plants, flowers and wool products.
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Woodford Reserve’s Picnic on the Porch will feature sandwiches, salads and desserts handmade by Wallace Station. The lunches will be served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through October on the terrace at the Visitor Center. The distillery is at 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles. Call (859) 879-1812.
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Cold Stone Creamery has a new line of frozen and iced coffee treats. The drinks will be priced at $1.99 through June 2. The iced and blended coffees come in five flavors, including sweet cream latte and raspberry truffle mocha latte. They’re also available in a light versions. The Lexington store is at 2337 Sir Barton Way. Call (859) 243-0694.

An Italian ­restaurant just might be what’s needed at the former Coach House location at 855 South Broadway. Several restaurateurs have tried to emulate the success of Stanley Demos by copying his Coach House style and menu, but Matilde Arbea is taking a different ­approach. She and chef Ernesto Luno have turned the spot into Casanova Fine Italian Dining. The restaurant opened Sunday.
Luno has worked in several five-star restaurants in places such as Switzerland, Mexico and Italy. His specialties include filet mignon with white porcini sauce and rosemary mashed potatoes; penne tossed with porcini mushrooms and a champagne cream sauce; the Casanova salad, which features arugula, pears, gorgonzola and walnuts tossed in a homemade cane emulsion; and for dessert, homemade tiramisu. Casanova’s hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Call (859) 258-9939.

Grab a meal and go
Do you sometimes wish you could get Merrick Inn’s meatloaf or Murray’s chicken chardonnay ­without making dinner ­reservations? The owners of the ­restaurants, Jennifer and Bobby Murray and Libby Murray, have opened a ­gourmet carry-out store for people who want great food in a hurry. Josie’s Grab & Go, 821 Chevy Chase Place, offers a salad bar, freshly made soups, prime steak and fresh seafood, along with chef-served meatloaf, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie and grilled vegetables. If you’re really in a hurry, you can grab individually packed ­servings, bread, cookies and drinks. Mandi Epperson is the ­manager, and Cannon Applegate is the kitchen manager. Josie’s is in the former Jack and Maddy’s ­location, next to Best of ­Flowers. Call (859) 523-8328. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to ­Saturday.

Julep Cup reopens
The Julep Cup and Seahorse Lounge has reopened after water damage from a fire at The ­Woodlands closed the restaurant for 13 days. The Julep Cup, which Weekender reviewed last Friday, is at 111 Woodland Avenue. Call (859) 226-0300.

An anniversary buffet
Winchell’s Restaurant will ­celebrate its fifth anniversary Sunday with a barbecue buffet. ­Included are pork, chicken, mini hot dogs, mini hamburgers and salads. The cost is $9.99 for the buffet, which will be served from 3 to 9 p.m. Winchell’s is at 348 Southland Drive. Call (859) 278-9424 or go to www.winchellsrestaurant.com.

Under the influence of France
On Thursday, Livia Theodoli-Wing will prepare a country French dinner at Wingspan ­Gallery. The menu includes puff pastry shell with cream ­mushrooms; sherry endive with apples, blue cheese and toasted walnuts; coq au vin; and, for dessert, île flottante, a meringue on custard sauce also called “floating island.” Wingspan is at 191 Jefferson Street. Call (859) 225-5765 or go to www.wingspangallery.com.

Right up to St. Patrick’s Day
Stonefence Bistro,730 Main Street in Paris, is serving Irish specials Tuesday through St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. The menu features Guinness-battered cod and chips, shepherd’s pie, potato and leek soup, honey-glazed salmon with crispy leeks, and herb-crusted lamb shoulder. The band Liam’s Fancy will entertain at 6:30 p.m. March 16. Call (859) 402-2009.

Guests at the grill
Lexington Dream Factory board members Darrell Ishmael and Jim Richardson will be guest grillers from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at bd’s Mongolian Grill, 2309 Sir Barton Way. A portion of the proceeds from meals they cook will go to the charity. At bd’s, guests choose their own stir-fry ingredients for the grillers to cook. Call Angela Carlos at (859) 254-9474 or go to www.LexingtonDreamFactory.org.

Put a fork in it
The annual Oleika Legion of Honor spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children. Proceeds go to the veterans’ organization of the Shriners. The event will be at Oleika Shrine Temple, 326 Southland Drive.

Catch it while you can
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant is having a coastal celebration. ­Seafood entrees, starting at $10.99, will be offered for a limited time. Included are angel hair pasta with sautéed shrimp; tilapia filet sautéed and topped with shrimp and ­scallops in a lemon wine sauce; crepes stuffed with crab Imperial and covered with shrimp, scallops, zucchini, mushrooms, corn and roasted red peppers in a creamy lobster sauce; and beer-battered shrimp. Abuelo’s is at 3395 ­Nicholasville Road, at Fayette Mall. Call (859) 971-0922 or go to www.abuelos.com.

Quirk hires new top chef
Dave Overton is the new ­executive chef at Quirk Café in Midway. Overton, a Sullivan ­Culinary Arts graduate, specializes in international fusion dishes such as miso-braised short ribs and ­arepas (cornmeal cakes) with halibut and shrimp seviche. The café is at 131 East Main Street. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Quirk will open for dinner in mid-April. Call (859) 846-4688.

Many restaurants still have reservations open for New Year’s Eve. Here are some places to ring in the New Year.

• • Azur in Beaumont Centre will celebrate its fourth anniversary with a five-course dinner. Cost is $65 with seatings at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Lisa & The Men in Back will entertain from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call (859) 296-1007 or go to www.azurrestaurant.com.
  • Buddy’s Bar and Grill, 854 East High Street, will have entertainment by Ember beginning at 9 p.m. in Lucille’s Lounge. Call (859) 335-1874 or go to www.buddysbarandgrill.com.
  • Cleveland’s at the Woodford Inn, 140 Park Street, Versailles, is offering a multicourse menu with choices of pan-roasted chicken breast, pork loin chop, prosciutto-wrapped sea bass, filet mignon, and surf ‘n’ turf. Prices range from $30 to $50. Call (859) 879-6062.
  • Dudley’s, 380 South Mill Street, will feature its regular a la carte menu with a few specials from chef Jonathan Gossett. Call (859) 252-1010 or go to www.dudleysrestaurant.com.
  • Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter Street, Midway is accepting reservations from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $75 (or $65 for a vegetarian option) for the seven-course menu, which features carved filet mignon and roasted sea bass. Call (859) 846-4732 or go to www.hollyhillinn.com.
  • Stonefence Bistro, 730 Main Street in Paris, is having a prix fixe menu featuring lamb medallions, surf ‘n’ turf, roasted chicken and poached salmon. Cost is $48. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., and live music starts at 6. Call (859) 987-1990.
  • Thai Orchid, 1030 South Broadway, will give away dessert with the purchase of a dinner entree from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to www.thaiorchidcafe.net. The cafe also is open for lunch on New Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Three Suns Bistro, 298 East Brannon Road, in Brannon Crossing, will offer four entree choices: lobster tail, filet mignon, stuffed pork tenderloin and pecan-fried chicken, along with free hors d’oeuvres. Call (859) 245-0048 or go to www.threesunsbistro.com.
  • Wines on Vine, 400 Old Vine Street, is accepting reservations for dinner. The menu features beef Bourgogne, lamb or pan-seared sesame tuna. The cost is $35. Call (859) 243-0017 or go to www.winesonvine.net.

Old Kentucky Chocolates just keeps growing.
The company that was founded in 1964 by Don and Pam Hurt is expanding into the store next door, making it a 5,000-square-foot candy store. Stop by and see the new digs and sample one of its specialty candies: bourbon chocolates, Derby mints, chocolate thoroughbreds or old-fashioned pulled cream candy.
To schedule a tour of the candy factory, call (859) 278-4444 or go to www.oldkycandy.com. The store is at 450 Southland Drive.
At the recent Retail Confectioners ­International annual Candy Clinic, Hurt won the ribbon award in the “best new piece idea” and “the best innovation gadget/
gimmick” categories.

An after-work trip
Skirt! magazine is hosting a special “skirt! after work” event on Oct. 21 to celebrate Kentucky’s bourbon heritage. A shuttle will leave downtown Lexington at 5 p.m. for a private tour of Woodford Reserve distillery in Versailles, followed by cocktails and a bourbon-inspired menu at Holly Hill Inn in Midway. Reservations are limited to 50 women, who will be named charter members of the Women of Woodford society. Cost is $50, and the reservations deadline is Friday. Call (859) 231-3488.

Homemade pasta for your home
Oliva Bella now is offering handmade pappardelle pasta made from locally grown and ground wheat flours, free-range eggs, and imported Italian olive oils and sea salt. The pasta is available at the Oliva Bella ­tasting room, 406 South Broadway. Call (859) 983-3567 or e-mail olivabella@insightbb.com.

A Lott of music with dinner
Singer/songwriter Chet Lott will ­present a concert during dinner at Summit ­Restaurant on Friday.
Lott, a resident of Bourbon County and a native of Mississippi, will sing ­selections from his newest CD, backed by J.P. ­Pennington. The concert begins at 9 p.m. and the dinner menu includes Kentucky Proud rabbit. Call (859) 271-1400. Summit is at 1097 Duval Street.

A Maine attraction: lobster
During Keeneland’s fall racing meet, Rossi’s is serving fresh Maine lobster along with a new wine list. On Tuesday nights, the restaurant, 1060 Chinoe Road, offers half-price bottles of wine. Call (859) 335-8788.

A touch of autumn at Dudley’s
Dudley’s chef Jonathan Gossett has created a new fall menu featuring seasonal specialties from local growers.
New items include autumn linguine with a sauce of butternut squash and manchego cheese; harvest salad prepared with Granny Smith apples, toasted hazelnuts and crisp sweet potato with a raspberry vinaigrette; and fricassee of chicken. Call (859) 252-1010 or go to www.dudleysrestaurant.com. Dudley’s is at 380 South Mill Street.

Bonefish Grill adds to its menu
Bonefish Grill, 2341 Sir Barton Way, is offering new menu items that include “handhelds” such as bang bang shrimp taco; petite portions of grouper, rainbow trout and sea bass; and salads including grilled salmon and asparagus with citrus vinaigrette. Call (859) 233-3474 or go to www.bonefishgrill.com.

Feeding the Big Blue faithful
Applecreek Bar-B-Q, 185 Pasadena Drive, has a Big Blue Bar-B-Q package for ­tailgaters. If you’re feeding a crowd (16), owner Buddy Hall is offering four pounds of pulled pork or chicken, buns, 4 quarts of sides, fried apple pies and sauce for $99. A party pack for eight is $50, and for four, $25.
Orders should to be placed three days in advance. Call (859) 277-1188. The ­restaurant is at 185 Pasadena Drive.

Dinner and dancing, Latin style
Natasha’s Bistro, 112 Esplanade, is having a Latino dinner and dance party Saturday. Music includes salsa, bachata, merengue and cha-cha, and the menu features poc chuc (char-grilled pork) and tikin xic (whitefish with epazote and banana leaves). Call (859) 259-2754.

Get the horse farm discount
Stonefence Bistro, 730 Main Street in Paris, is celebrating the local horse industry with “Farm Nights” on Friday and Saturday. Employees of Kentucky horse farms — grooms, managers, riders, office employees — will receive 15 percent off dinner entrees. Included are shrimp and grits, Bourbon beef, Guinness battered cod loin ’n’ chips, lobster penne Alfredo, and rack of lamb with a mint-butter dipping sauce. Call (859) 987-1990.

Masala expands to South India
Masala Indian restaurant now serves South India food. Several dishes are on the buffet and the menu. Masala is at 3801 Nicholasville Center Drive, behind Bella Notte. Call (859) 273-1830.

Farmers market report
This week, Blue Grass Farmers Market will have honey, grass-fed beef, Amish cheese, raspberries, cabbage, tomatoes, pumpkins, cut flowers, mums, and Indian corn. The market is on Richmond Road in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet Bike Shop and FastSigns. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.