Lexington’s Main Street Satisfies Upscale Epicurean Curiosities
Capital City/Lake Murray Country is known for big city attractions and water adventures.
Now, up and coming restaurants, spanning the globe in flavor, entice guests to fill up on more than adventure. One particular area, Lexington, conveniently located off Interstates I-77, I-20 and I-26, draws visitors in with its historic charm–and now the booming restaurant scene has guests coming back to this food mecca for seconds.
Indulge the senses and pull up a seat in the new, and beautifully renovated, Café Strudel (309 South Lake Drive, Lexington). Famous for their Hangover Hashbrowns, this Southern gem serves up hearty delicacies morning, noon and night. Satisfy the a.m. sweet tooth with an order of cinnamon pancakes; or, if you’re more of a savory person, order the classic biscuits and gravy. For lunch, quell hunger pangs with the Stuffed Burger featuring pimento cheese. If searching for a lighter option, try the Portabella Sandwich with homemade horseradish mayo. Down-home cooking takes on a twist with menu items like Seafood Mac & Cheese, Pulled Pork Tacos and Duck Nachos for dinner. Top off the night with a nightcap at Café Strudel’s full bar.
Step into Alodia’s Cucina Italiana (101 West Main Street, Lexington) and step back in time to Old Italy, with a menu featuring the owner’s handed-down family cookbook, where homemade sauces and Abruzzo pastas lay the rich and flavorful foundation. Start with an appetizer of calamari or bruschetta topped with a sweet balsamic reduction. Treat the taste buds to Bowtie Gratinate–a pasta with sautéed shrimp and rendered pancetta, in a creamy sauce, topped with Parmesan and then baked. Cut into the Duck Arrosta, a pan-roasted duck breast served over a blackberry noir sauce with a side of Asiago, mushroom and pancetta risotto. The menu also holds the classics–Lasagna, Old World Manicotti and Italian-breaded Eggplant Parmesan. Perfectly pair your meal with a glass of wine from Alodia’s extensive collection.
Bohdi Thai Dining (126 East Main Street, Lexington) delights with exotic world-class cuisines that are authentic, fresh and presented in a “Modern Thai” style. This trendy Eastern restaurant sets the tone with an exquisite atmosphere and is housed in a former bank–where the vault now serves as a wine cellar. Each course comes beautifully plated, complementing the upscale vibe. Start with an appetizer of baby pork ribs, braised for five hours with a honey whiskey sauce; or, try the Fresh Roll with shrimp, clear noodles and cilantro, wrapped in rice paper and served with sweet chili. For the main course, enjoy traditional bowls like Shrimp Pad Thai, as well as Ginger and Mushroom Stir-fry, with heat set to your individual palate. Try something innovative like the Basil-crusted Pork Chop served over carrot puree, pepper jam and curry, or the Pan-seared Scallops with quinoa, carrot and beet puree over squid ink.
Irish hospitality awaits you in the heart of downtown Lexington at O’Hara’s Public House (131 E. Main Street, Lexington). This authentic Irish pub and restaurant features traditional Gaelic classics alongside the best of regional American comfort foods. Start with a Bavarian Pretzel served with harp lager beer cheese or over-sized wings tossed in a variety of sauces. For a taste of Ireland, order up the Bangers and Mash, Guiness Stew, Fish and Chips or Shepherd’s Pie. Sink your teeth into the Steelworker Sandwich–a two-hander piled high with meats, cheeses and served with French fries. Dip into classic comforts like the Bacon and Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese. Don’t forget the suds–with a variety of imported beers on tap, there’s a lager for every taste; or, order a refreshing cocktail from the full bar.
If you go Not sure where to place your start? Bring in the experts! Venture to neighboring downtown Columbia for 2 Gals & A Fork Food Tours. Historic Columbia trained tour guides share notable anecdotes from the Capital City while indulging guests in tastings from five of the 60 area restaurants. There are several food tours available, including the Vista Tour, and the revitalized downtown district is home to history, as well as a variety of notable restaurants, including The Blue Marlin, Liberty Taproom, Pearlz Oyster Bar, Hickory Tavern, Kaminsky’s and more. Tours are also available in nearby Newberry and in Lexington. TwoGalsAndAFork.com