Annette's City CafÈ and Event Center is the latest endeavor of chef Annette Jett and her team. Located in the building on Old Vine Street that used to house Phil Dunn's 431, Jett says the restaurant represents "a full circle." Earlier in her career in Lexington, Jett worked with Dunn on his projects and now he can be spotted occasionally working in the kitchen or office with her.
Annette began catering in 2001, then branched out to provide breakfast and lunch at Annette's City CafÈ downtown and, not too long ago, opened the event center. Initially, Jett intended to keep the space specifically for events and catering, but customer and market demanded that she open the space as a restaurant, which is open Monday through Friday for lunch, Friday and Saturday for dinner and Sundays for brunch. Live jazz also accompanies dinner on Friday and Saturday.
Jett's love of food-and entertaining-is deeply rooted in her family traditions, which she says influenced her inspirations for providing meals to people. Along with that inspiration, Jett has lived in many food towns that shaped her ideals about running a restaurant and choosing a menu. Lexington is home sweet home, but she's always looking for a new angle and a new way to spice up the southern hospitality she's worked so hard to cultivate. "We have a Brazilian Au Pair who will be coming to live with us and I think we may have to work on a Brazilian night soon!"
Just in time for holiday parties, professional chef, caterer, party planner, mom and wife, Annette Jett suggests a recipe that's perfect for entertaining.