Coles 735 Main — Restaurant in Lexington

This review is long overdue for Cole’s. Me and my wife have been here twice, once before we were married and we had our wedding dinner here on December 4, 2024.

The first visit, they were busy as was expected on a Friday night but we were able to get seats at the bar after waiting for just a few minutes. Bartenders were amazing and friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. This is not surprising but the attention to detail in describing seasonal menu items and suggestions was what made them stand apart from most other upscale restaurant bartenders. The seasonal menus are amazing and are absolutely worth every single penny. Having been a professional chef back in Colorado for 16 years I will say that the Chef here is no joke and is a master of his craft and understands flavor complexity and simplicity all at the same time. Phenomenal is still too far of an understatement to describe the food .

Our first visit here having been such a spectacular outing we knew where we wanted our wedding dinner to be at.

We had a small wedding with only 15 people in attendance for our dinner but it’s was the closest of friends and family in the area. 13 adults and 2 teens and I will tell you that Cole’s, once again, did not disappoint. Our server for our dinner was David and he was an amazing waiter. Again the attention to detail of the menu and drinks was above expectations, taking the lead when needed and grabbing the attention of the room to make sure that specials and seasonal fare was promptly detailed to everyone in attendance without the need for repeating. Fantastic, when what we all want to do is eat and drink and socialize. Him being quick, incredibly friendly, and polite was again above and beyond. The food quality is outstanding, on point, and never disappointing to a single guest including our picky teen daughter who the kitchen accommodated with no problem. The drinks were fantastic and the fact that they gave us the outdoor seating area with heaters made the environment friendly and comfortable for all.

I cannot speak highly enough of this restaurant and strongly believe it is one of-if not the-best that I have been to in Lexington. For me and the wife, when it comes down to our favorite romantic date night location, this establishment without question is our #1 priority.

To the staff of this establishment, keep up the superb quality of service. To the management, keep up the positive reinforcement to your staff and praise for the jobs they do. To the kitchen, continue to put love into the dishes you send out. Finally, to the Chef, your creativity, design, and passion show through in every amazing dish you create.

Again absolutely amazing...

I was so looking forward to dinner at Coles... we were traveling through Lexington and had done a lot of research on best restaurants in Lex and picked this one. I know times have been tough on restaurants lately but so many things went wrong. After we were seated a server came right over with water and introduced himself. Good start. Then a few minutes later he came back to say he wasn't our server but our server, Kyle, would be right over. Several minutes later Kyle finally made it over and said he would be our server and took a drink order. My drink was brought fairly quickly by a different server. But my husband's did not arrive. Kyle brought glasses and limes for my husband's San Pellegrino but not the beverage. We asked two more time before he did. It took 25 minutes from when we were seated before the rest of our order was taken. We also ordered an appetizer which was very good. The Brussel sprout salad was delicious. The lobster bisque was a tasty and creamy soup but the lobster was nonexistent. It took two hours for us to be served the appetizer, soup and salad. There seemed to be plenty of people helping out the servers but even the food runners seemed a bit lost and several times came out with food that they weren't sure where to deliver. A table of four seated after us was served dinner before us. We had ordered the filet special which we were told came with plenty of mushrooms and red skin potatoes so we shouldn't order any extra sides. We were also told not to order the steak rare with a warm center because medium or medium well was the only way to get a warm center. We ordered them medium rare but they came a bit overcooked, with about 1 sliced mushroom and one slice potato under each steak. The steaks were extremely tender and well seasoned... too bad they were over done. By this time it was another 20 minutes until dinner arrived and we were starving so did not send the steaks back. Finally, instead of a sincere apology for the delays and mix ups... we got a bit of snarkiness from our server... poor read of the table. For the cost of dinner, over $200...I...

Tucked away in a beautifully restored historic landmark in Lexington, Coles 735 offers a unique dining experience that blends local charm with a touch of sophistication. The chef's unique takes on traditional recipes incorporate hints of Greek, French, and contemporary American cuisine, all with a Southern twist. The food is a treat for your taste buds and well thought out and balances a delightful array of flavors, utilizing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to create a memorable culinary experience. Overall, it is a welcoming atmosphere that feels cozy without being stuffy, making it an inviting spot for both casual dinners and special occasions.

🍲What I Tasted: I started with the lobster bisque, which was rich and creamy with a velvety texture. However, it was slightly over-seasoned, which detracted from the buttery essence of the lobster. The warm Brussels sprout and cabbage salad with bacon provided a refreshing yet hearty contrast. The highlight of the evening was the pistachio-crusted Compart Farm’s bone-in pork chop. The nutty, slightly sweet crust complemented the savory meat beautifully, creating a balanced and unforgettable main course. For dessert, the almond pound cake with seasonal strawberries was a perfect end to the meal.

💡 Standout Feature: They pride on sourcing locally whenever possible, reflecting their commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients. This effort, often more costly for the restaurant, does not show in exorbitant prices by them, making it a great value. Their dedication to menu optimization while staying current with food trends and seasonal ingredients at a reasonable price is commendable.

⚠️ What Was Mid: While Coles 735 is undeniably charming and a staple for locals familiar with its history, others might find it challenging to grasp what sets it apart from any typical hometown casual upscale dining. Despite these minor points, Coles 735 remains a wonderful place with great food and even more potential to carve out a...