Just north of Lexington, the once sleepy community of Georgetown is experiencing growth not limited to housing population, but also in expanding local dining options.
While Fava’s and Galvin’s long have been downtown favorites, Georgetown’s culinary landscape has welcomed a handful of new popular dining spots in recent years. Rodney’s On Broadway and Wilshire’s Restaurant are thriving; Christie’s martini bar provides live music and late night weekend drinks; and Lexington’s Country Boy Brewing is slated to open a 20,000-square-foot facility and tap room in the town in several months.
What has long been known as a quiet college town is now gaining a reputation as a regional culinary destination.
Scheduled to open in late January, Red State Taps is one of the most anticipated additions to Georgetown’s downtown dining landscape. Located behind Central Bank in a red metal building on Opera Alley, the restaurant is the newest incarnation from the folks of the popular roadside barbecue joint Red State BBQ, which opened on Georgetown Road in Lexington in 2010.
Owner David Carroll said the new Georgetown location just makes sense.
“We were so close to Georgetown already. Lori Saunders from Georgetown/ Scott County Tourism approached us about providing food for Party on the Square,” he said, referring to Georgetown’s summer music series. “While she was there, she commented that it would be great if we had a downtown location.”
That comment sparked Carroll’s interest, and he began to look into options in downtown Georgetown. He was able to find and lease a site with 3,000 square feet of space.
“The people of Georgetown have been absolutely phenomenal and encouraging,” Carroll added. “They have really made us feel welcome.”
Red State Taps is a new concept for Carroll, who envisioned a twist on the original restaurant, including “small bites” and a tap room with local beer options.
“We didn’t want another full-blown Red State right now. We wanted something new,” he said. “The tapas menu will include sliders, artisan pizzas, poutine and other creative proteins.
“There is great opportunity for creativity down here. The town has a nice historic feel to it. It’s going to continue to progress.”
Another new downtown restaurant that has become popular is Local Feed on Water Street. Owner Justin Thompson has been a chef at some of Lexington’s finest restaurants: He helped opened Jonathan at Gratz Park, where he worked under chef Jonathan Lundy for 10 years, and also Jean Farris Winery in 2006. In 2012, he decided to go out on his own, starting as a caterer and scouting locations for a restaurant.
“I’ve lived in downtown Lexington my entire life, but my family is from Georgetown,” said Thompson. He looked at places in Lexington and Midway but ultimately found a building in downtown Georgetown that had the right feel.
“It had the feel of a Jefferson Street, with a handful of people interested in revitalizing the area,” he said. Thompson’s vision for the restaurant was affordable fine dining.
“I’ve always done white tablecloth fine dining and wanted people to have that experience within a $15- price-point range,” said Thompson.
His menu is primarily comfort food made with high-end techniques.
“We take something familiar, but everything is made from scratch. We make chicken and dumplings the way our grandparents made those items. Everything is homemade, including the condiments.”
The food isn’t the only “made from scratch” element of Local Feed – most of the restaurant’s construction was done by Thompson’s family.
“All of the tables were built by family,” said Thompson. “We did all of the trim work and built the bar.”
Rodney V. Jones and his wife, Elizabeth, were among the first to see the potential in Georgetown as a culinary destination, when they opened Rodney’s on Broadway in 2011.
“We found the building and thought it was fabulous,” said Jones of the 1840s historic home that has been restored into a cozy fine dining restaurant, which is known for its steaks and fresh seafood. “We want people to come and have an experience – enjoy the ambience, the food and the décor of an old home.”
Business at Rodney’s has grown steadily over the past five years, with the restaurant well established both in the local community and with visitors looking for a unique Kentucky dining experience.
“The main reason we’ve continued to grow is the Kentucky Horse Park and local corporate business,” said Jones. “We have clientele from all over – people from Michigan and Wisconsin stop here in the winter on their way to Florida.”
Jones has more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant business, starting at the Lexington Club in downtown Lexington. Rodney’s on Broadway is the ninth restaurant he’s opened and the first partnership with his wife. He handles the cooking, while she lends her business expertise to the restaurant.
Just outside of downtown, Wilshire’s is another restaurant that combines quality food with a old-time atmosphere. Located in the historic home of Gen. John Payne, the original building was constructed in 1790. Don Wilshire, whose experience included catering for the nearby Canewood Golf Course, purchased the property in 2007 and opened the restaurant about a year later.
The 11-room house provides space for small groups, rehearsal dinners, weddings, business luncheons and holiday gatherings, with a menu offering a diverse selection of cuisine.
“We’re very proud of our crab cakes,” Wilshire said. “Comfort foods, soups and salads are our specialty.
“We want people to have a comfortable dining experience,” he added, noting that the restaurant is family-friendly and features a large parking area.
Tucked away inside a subdivision, Wilshire’s is a little off the beaten path, but many of Georgetown’s restaurants are flourishing on side streets and in the back corners of shopping areas outside of downtown – with Thai Garden and The Julian’s Cuban cuisine offering ethnic selections, and Formaggio Italiano’s pasta selection.
Thompson, of Local Feed, sees a bright future in Georgetown.
“In five to 10 years, I see Georgetown and Lexington almost fusing together,” he said. “It’s only 11 miles to downtown Lexington from here — I don’t think people realize that.”