Carson's Food & Drink - On Main — Restaurant in Lexington

Carson’s 1/14/23

A revisit for us to Carson’s, an oh, what a grand evening we had….

First, a shout out to our server, Nick - he was awesome. Knowledgeable, timely, professional, and not a misstep the entire evening… thank you Nick!

I had my usual Jim Beam and coke as a starter; we chose the same Italian red, Ratti Battaglione, 2021. We loved it so much our first visit we could not make another selection. It is a complement to every dish we have had at Carson’s…

We started off with the Salmon Bruschetta, exceptionally prepared, visually appealing, and a wonderful melange of flavors to open the senses up. The house-cured salmon, sliced thin and topped over goat cheese spread, with red onion, capers, cucumbers, balsamic reduction, crème fraîche, and fresh dill. Hands-down it is my new favorite appetizer in town - it reminded me of a chef’s selection on the seven-course chef’s service in Cleveland, at Chef Dante Buccozzi’s Dante in Tremont. Simply a magnificent start… or in LexSpeak, ‘we’re off and running’…!

Our entrees were the Rose Linguini, a blend of house marinara and Alfredo over Linguini, with heirloom tomatoes and broccoli florets with chicken added. A very large portion, just a hint of heat from the creole Alfredo. (not hot at all, just interestingly so) A very enjoyable pasta dish in every respect. Well composed and executed - highly recommend!

Our other entree was the Scallops, pan seared in garlic butter and served on smoked gouda Wiesenberger grit cakes; with seared pork belly, white wine béarnaise, and heirloom truffle tomatoes; finished with a field green salad garnish. Just order it if you are a fan of scallops - or even if you’re not! The grit cakes alone are so creamy and good…. Again flavors that work together, and also a very large portion. I imagine this is one of their heavier requested entrees… and deservingly so…

Desert was their Banana Bread Pudding. Possibly our favorite desert in town. Decedent, warm, wonderful… fresh whipped cream, a touch of mint available, simply wonderful.

Finished the evening with a Glenmorangie Flight of 10, 12, and 18 year old selections, sided with candied bacon, ice, and water to allow for sampling to your personal liking and cleansing of the palate. And a savory cup of coffee.

Atmosphere was grand - we had a very quiet booth (thank you for accommodating our request on the reservation) bustling but not too noisy to enjoy. Whether table or booth dining, the accoutrements are comfortable, inviting, and very much “Lexington”… Make a reservation today if you have nor been - and if you have,...

I can’t stop thinking about Carson’s Food & Drink on Main, and trust me, that’s not even the bourbon talking. You walk in and feel the perfect balance of “we’ve done this right for years” and “we’re still living it up today.” There’s copper, rich wood, chandeliers glowing softly overhead—classic Kentucky hospitality dressed in Sunday best.

The menu is a love letter to the Bluegrass: Kentucky Proud ingredients, craft‑brew pairings, and dishes that respect tradition while bringing surprises. I’m talking Sweet & Spicy Ribs that demand your attention—or maybe that’s the bourbon caramel sauce on the banana bread pudding that won’t let go.  

If you start with the apps—grilled brie with bourbon pear chutney or ahi poke lettuce wraps—you’ll understand why nobody rushes to the entrees. And when you do, the pastrami sandwich with jalapeño cilantro slaw, the Wagyu burger with truffle butter, or the Creole shrimp & grits will make you nod slowly, savoring every bite. 

Brunch is a delight too: steak & eggs or sweet chicken & waffles, exactly what Sunday mornings were made for.  

Service? Dependable, welcoming, downright proud. Folks here seem genuinely glad to see you. One Redditor captured it when they said:

“Reservations are not required, but if you’re there at lunchtime or from ~5‑8 pm … you will almost certainly need a reservation. … Do go, get the ribs appetizer for the table and the house Old Fashioned for yourself if you drink.” 

If you’re wondering how they’ve stayed so consistently great, it’s about culture, vision, and keeping the team together—even during tough times. They turned that spirit into a stellar in‑house cocktail, bourbon, and to‑go program. 

Planning a visit? Book ahead—you’ll thank me when you get a seat without circling the block. And don’t skip the bourbon pairing—they’ve earned their reputation as one of the best bourbon bars in America.   

Carson’s is that rare mix of time-honored values and today’s set-my-tee-on-fire flavors. It feels meaningful, familiar, and just bold enough to keep you coming back.

Five stars, absolutely. Choose your moment—weekday lunch, weekend brunch, or a quiet date—and let the place do the rest. Let me know if you’d like a shorter version or a tweak with your own...

What a perfect place to enjoy my last meal while visiting Kentucky! I found Carson's after an early morning tour of Buffalo Trace, followed by some hiking along the Indian Creek in Red River Gorge. I was starving and ready for a delicious meal. The place was packed, reservations appear to likely be required here. They allowed me to patiently wait for a spot at the bar to open up. Once seated at the bar, I was blown away by their bourbon selection. Their vast collection of bourbons ran from floor to ceiling, with a rolling library ladder system set up to get to the good stuff up on the top shelf. I opted for a flight which came with my choice of 3 bourbons, some ice on the side to enjoy your bourbon to your own liking, and some amazing candied bacon! That bacon, wow... Makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Nice touch, Carson's. What's really nice about the bourbon flights here, is you're able to pick from their offerings and create your own flight. The price is adjusted accordingly. I really appreciated having that freedom. I also enjoyed one of the best Old Fashioned's I've had. Their Carson's Old Fashioned is made with Woodford Reserve and is delicious and reasonably priced. If bourbon isn't your thing, they have a great selection of craft beers, other creative and unique cocktails, spirits and wines to choose from. I started off my meal with their side Caesar salad, which came with my entrée. It was fresh, crisp and enjoyable. I then went on to the main course. Again, my mouth waters re-living it! I ordered the Filet Medallions & Scallops. This picturesque plate came with two 4 oz. filet medallions and two seared scallops on a bed of smoked gouda Wiesenberger grits and asparagus; topped with truffle buttered crab and lobster; finished with our white wine béarnaise. I savored every bite. The steak was cooked exactly how I ordered it, the scallops also cooked perfectly. The grits had the consistency of the creamiest mashed potatoes and the truffle buttered crab and lobster along with the béarnaise just knocked it out of the park. A true party for the taste buds. Incredible dish, incredible service, incredible dinning experience. Thank you Carson's, I can't wait to...