Lighter fare dinner?

We are traveling to Lexington next week for the opening of the Keeneland meet. We will be there four nights. Helped by the reviews here, we have picked out some fine restaurants for our splurge dinners, but I think haute cuisine every night for all four nights might be a bit much. Can anyone recommend a contrasting place with a casual atmosphere, where we can get good, well-prepared, *lighter* dinners?

Lighter fare dinner?

Hello. Here are a few options:

Cheapside Bar %26amp; Grill (downtown at the corner of Mill and Short Streets)

Alfalfa%26#39;s (downtown on Main)(this is really good for brunch, lunch, etc)

Bourbon %26amp; Toulouse (there is one downtown in Festival Market and then also one in Chevy Chase...a couple miles from downtown...the one downtown is a lunch spot, the one in Chevy Chase has more normal hours)

Pazzo%26#39;s is great for pizza and beer...and is very reasonable. It%26#39;s located between UK%26#39;s campus and downtown.

Mai Thai (on S. Limestone next to campus medical center)

There are of course chains, as well, but I really like to frequent independent places when I go out of town, so that is why I stuck with the choices above. Most of them are also close to downtown.

Have a great trip!

Lighter fare dinner?

Wines on Vine has great, light fare. As the name suggests they also have a great wine selection.

Buddy%26#39;s has a varied menu in a casual atmosphere.

Roots or Suggins are also casual places with a variety of menu options. Roots is a little more expensive than Suggins.

Great suggestions! Thank you so much :-)

Those are all great suggestions. The only thing I would add is Gumbo Ya Ya. Similar to Bourbon %26amp; Toulouse, Gumbo Ya Ya tends to be less heavy and has more vegetarian options. It is my favorite place for a quick casual bite to eat. There are 2, one off S. Broadway and Virginia Ave and the other is in Tates Creek Centre.

If your taste runs to Middle Eastern, check out Istanbul Palace, a Turkish place easily accessible from Keeneland. Don%26#39;t miss the baklava and bread pudding, even if you%26#39;re not a regular dessert eater. The silver platter, though advertised for two, will easily feed three.

I also recommend Roots, they offer a lot of fresh, local ingredients, should be good at the time you are in town.

Joe B%26#39;s is great for price, not necessarily ';light'; food (pizza, pasta, etc.) but great value for your money. Make sure to get a bread stick, they are huge!

By the way, while you are at Keeneland, seek out the bread pudding, it is the best in town! I promise, even if you don%26#39;t think you like bread pudding it is delicious (and big enough to share!) The only sure bet at Keeneland. :)

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