Restaurants – Midway, Kentucky
As an enthusiastic and regular visitor to beautiful Midway, I have sampled virtually all of the restaurants in this area, and have regularly patronized several. Realizing that there are many visitors to this charming little town who are completely unfamiliar with the region, I thought it might be helpful to provide a review of them. Please note that these reviews are my own personal opinions.
I will start with my very favorite restaurant in Midway . . . the beautiful and historic “Holly Hill Inn”.
Located at 426 North Winter Street, this charming restaurant is housed in a lovely architecturally unique home (circa 1845). Ouita Michel, the highly respected & well-known owner and on-site chef, offers a a wide range of delectable and unique menus. While the price range may be a little more expensive than that of some of the other local restaurants, it is will worth it, as the meals offered are in a league of their own, the beauty off the surroundings is an aesthetic delight, and the peaceful quiet that may be enjoyed throughout the dining area has become virtually impossible to find in most restaurants.
I can honestly say that I have never had anything that was less than delicious here. It is an optimal choice for any special occasion. For more information, call (859) 846-4732 or visit their website at www.hollyhillinn.com
My Rating for Holly Hill Inn: Excellent
The next restaurant I will discuss is “Darlin Jean’s Apple Cobbler Cafe”, which is located at 204 N. Gratz Street.
Photo by Chester M. Guy
I love the rustic old building that this restaurant is housed in, and the picturesque water tower next to it. The aesthetics correspond well with the menu offered which is old-time, good “home” cooking. I also think that there is a wide enough range of menu items to satisfy every visitor. One of my personal favorites here is the “Kentucky Hot Brown”. The prices could best be described as “comfortable, mid-range”. And, be sure to save a little room for dessert. True to the restaurant’s name, the apple cobbler is really good, as are the other desserts.
The only aspect that I don’t care for at this restaurant is that some of the tables & booths are too close together, which is not only a bit uncomfortable, but results in an irksome level of noise volume as well. Choose your table carefully. For more information, call (859) 846-9485.
My Rating for Darlin Jean’s Apple Cobbler Cafe is: Very Good
The next restaurant I will discuss is the “Grey Goose”.
My family and I were regular customers there for quite some time despite the fact it is noticeably more expensive than most other restaurants throughout town. Most often, my party consisted of 3 members (myself and my parents) and the ticket averaged $60.00 at lunchtime (not counting tips). In all fairness, the food was generally tasty and well-prepared. There was, however, one persistant problem that finally drove us away for good. Despite the fact that this is supposedly a restaurant, not a sports bar, there are multiple t.v.’s within the establishment that are constantly kept on at full-blast. The last time we ate there, a local ballgame was on, and they turned the volume up so high that we could literally not hear one another speak. When we asked them if they could turn it down, they not only refused, but said: “If you don’t like it, you can leave”. We were shocked, as we were not rude or demanding in our request, and as I mentioned previously, had been longstanding regular patrons. Thinking that perhaps the manager was the problem, I called and spoke to the owner, who was, if possible, even more antagonistic than his manager. At that point, I realized that it would be highly inappropriate to continue to patronize an establishment that appears to have no respect, concern, or appreciation for their patrons.
My rating for the Grey Goose: Absymal
The next restaurant that I will discuss is one that is actually a few miles outside of Midway, called “Wallace Station”.
This restaurant, housed in an old store front at 3854 Old Frankfort Pike between Lexington and Midway, is owned & operated by renowned chef, Ouita Michel (see the Holly Hill Inn review for her other restaurant). Quaint in appearance and in close proximity to many of the area’s most prestigious horse farms (as well as the Headley-Whitney Museum), this is a favorite spot for locals as well as out-of-state visitors. A wide variety of menu items are offered, from simple fare such as soup & cornbread to gourmet sandwiches, rolled oysters, or other “seasonal” fare. Meals begin at breakfast and are served for all 3 meals of the day. Interesting additions are frequently added and they also feature a selection of bakery items that are decadent, delightful, and delicious! This is my brother’s favorite restaurant.
In addition to having won several awards and having been featured in several magazines, Wallace Station has been featured on the Food Network as well as other t.v. programs. Due to the intense popularity of this restaurant, it is almost always filled to capacity, and it is not at all unusual for the line of waiting customers to extend well out onto the porch. The last time we went, even the picnic area was full.
For more information, call (859) 846-5161.
My rating for Wallace Station is: Very Good
There are several more restaurants within this small area, and I will continue to add reviews. I hope you found them helpful!
Last modified on: May 24th 2012.