Dudley's On Short — Restaurant in Lexington

Food Fun Adventure Weekend took Fat Man Reviews to Dudley's on Short in Lexington, KY. Dudley's is a Lexington staple and a self-described "culinary trailblazer" specializing in using the finest local ingredients with exceptional service.

We started with the Weisenberger Grits & Beer Cheese Fritters, served with hot pepper jelly. The fritters were cooked well with a slight crunch, the beer cheese was good, but it was just a very mild beer cheese. The pepper jelly was sweet and added a spice but could have used more.

I tried the Roasted Carrot Bisque. It was creamy and prepared well and packed full of fall spices. The whipped cream did not add much in my opinion. The dish was fixed exactly as I imagined, but did not work well for me, however, my fiancé thought it was good.

My fiancé had the Sunday Supper special. It included warm mushroom and radicchio salad, roasted pork loin, sage and cornbread stuffing, candied sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. I did not try the salad, but she loved it. The rest of the dish was amazing. The pork was juicy and perfect, stuffing was moist and delicious, the potatoes were fluffy and sweet while the cranberry sauce added a tartness to round out the entire dish.

I decided on the Swordfish special. The meal came with caramelized sweet potato purée, roasted cabbage, charred onions, bourbon raisins and smoked cream. The swordfish was cooked and seasoned well, and the purée was sweet to cut through the fattiness of the fish. The onions and cabbage were prepared perfect, buttery, nutty and slightly sweet. The smoked cream was okay but slightly thin. My meal was missing the raisins.

For dessert, we tried the Poached Apple & Spice Cake. The apple was cooked well, and it tasted like a Granny Smith. The cake was awesome, it was moist, and the spice level was lovely. It was served with mulled wine & bergamot caramel, vanilla labnah and toasted meringue that offered a sweet, salty, tangy and sticky flavor roller coaster. This dish was superb.

Dudley's on Short offers steakhouse favorites and out of the box creations in a small menu. The service is great and very attentive. Dudley's on Short is Fat Man Approved...

I’ve wanted to try Dudley’s for a long time, and finally came for Sunday brunch with friends. I was a bit embarrassed when I arrived, because I couldn’t find the correct door: you have to go into a little lobby, and then the entrance is on the left. I first tried to go in from the street, then wandered around the lobby for a minute before I found the door. I wish it was better marked, but I guess once you know, you know. My friends were already there, so I walked right in and sat down, and our server immediately took my drink order. Then they brought us a plate of the most tantalizing breads- a huge scone, some tiny sugar-dusted biscuits, and two fluffy muffins. We asked for an additional serving because we all wanted to try a little bit of everything. The server and his assistant were really attentive and helpful. He told us about the specials, and my friend and I both ordered the same one. Unfortunately, apparently he hadn’t really understood what the special was, so we had asked him questions about it, and he answered them incorrectly. When our food came out, we were both surprised at what we received. He fixed it for us, but it was a little frustrating, and maybe could’ve been rectified if the specials had been in writing for us at the table, or if the server had received more explanation of what they were. Nonetheless, the food was good, and we all enjoyed our meals. When the checks came, my friend noticed she had been charged $2.50 for “open food.” We were trying to figure that out, and finally realized it was because she had requested ketchup for her crisp potatoes. It seemed a little déclassé to me to charge for ketchup, but maybe that’s common at more upscale places and I’ve just never experienced it before because I don’t like ketchup. 💁🏽‍♀️Either way, it was a surprise. Overall, the food was amazing, and the server was very gracious to us as we sat around and chatted- we had a long and leisurely meal there, and I appreciate them taking care of us...

Dudley's on Short embodies the essence of a fun, sophisticated urban eatery and experience like no other. It is like a party in the front and sophistication in the back. You are greeted by the buzz of a bustling bar scene. As you navigate the slalom course through the crowed tables, you make your way to causal upscale dining area. Overall, they offer a distinctive dining experience, making it a popular destination for both casual gatherings and special occasions alike in downtown Lexington.

🍲What I Tasted: I started with a chef-inspired Tartine, which traditionally showcases the chef’s creativity and ability to harmonious blend of flavors. Unfortunately, it fell slightly short and became a theme for the entire meal. While each element worked individually, they lacked cohesion when combined. This continued with the generous portion of Moroccan Braised Lamb Shank, which had bold spices and flavorful puree but struggled to harmonize. Dessert, a Carrot Cake Tiramisu, was rich but lacked presentation finesse, with unnecessary garnishes distracting from the overall flavor profile. Overall, the meal felt disjointed, with each component vying for attention rather than complementing each other, leaving the palate searching for a unified flavor experience.

💡 Standout Feature: Dining at Dudley's is not just about the food—it is about stepping back in time and experiencing the rich history of Lexington. Housed in a meticulously restored building steeped in tradition and charm, Dudley's invites guests to immerse themselves in the elegance of a bygone era of Lexington while savoring delicious cuisine.

⚠️ What Was Mid: While it strives to strike a balance between a lively bar and upscale dining, some may find that the two elements do not always seamlessly complement each other. The noise and atmosphere of the bar area,, can occasionally clash with the dining experience sought by guests, leading to a somewhat...