Granddam — Restaurant in Lexington

Beautiful new restaurant in Lexington but the owners should be aware that spending all that money and having rude management will not get repeat customers. Three of went and pulled into to the empty parking lot into one of the 3 handicapped spaces. I have 2 new hips, my friend had 2 knee surgeries and upcoming back surgery. We were told by the lonely valet guy (who was very nice) that it would be $6.50 to park in the empty lot for lunch. ($11 Friday to Sunday). There is NO street parking anywhere near it and a paid lot across the street that you pay with your phone. We needed handicapped so we paid. The waitress who was lovely told us we could check out the upstairs bar and outdoor area after we ate, just to ask at the desk. We had the special which was Peach Chicken and mashed potatoes. It was good. Afterwards we asked to go see the upstairs (3 people behind the desk couldn't be bothered to take us). They said we had to wait until the bar opened at 4. It was 2. I thought of all the money the owners spent putting this place together should be aware that their employees were in my opinion very RUDE to 3 women in their 60s that dine out regularly and went out of our way to come downtown for lunch and wanted to view the place. My other 2 friends had been there for dinner and seen it. I had not. On another note, we ate at The Brown Hotel in Louisville yesterday, no reservation, just pulled into the Valet and asked if we needed a reservation to take our grandson for a Hot Brown. No reservation needed. Also NO charge for valet. They parked the car in one of the empty spots and brought it back and got a $5 tip. I hope The Manchester gets better management as you can tell the owners want this place to succeed, treating 3 Lexington natives rudely is not a good...

In fact, the place is very beautiful and elegant, my husband and I came just to try dishes from the regular menu, the waiter was very friendly, we ordered chicken for my husband and I ordered a Caesar salad and baked oysters, it was very atmospheric, but there is one BUT, my husband is a connoisseur of chicken and he personally did not like it, because according to him the chicken was very dry, but no complaints as this is everyone's business and everyone has different tastes, they brought me a delicious salad, but I would ask for a little less sauce, because it feels like you are not eating a salad with sauce, but a sauce with a salad, they also brought me oysters, but they were raw, I said that I ordered baked ones, they immediately took them away, and when my husband had already finished eating, somewhere from the moment they took the oysters, 20 minutes had passed (given that there were about 4 tables occupied, that is, this is not even half the seating) and they brought me my oysters, I began to eat them, but when ordering no one warned that some the oysters are spicy, as a person who doesn't like spicy food I just ate one and we just stood up, asked for the bill and left, I understand that everyone has a different taste, but I repeat once again we have no complaints, it's just not the best experience, since the restaurant is considered to be in a really expensive segment, they could at least warn us that the oysters are spicy. Maybe we'll come again sometime, but honestly I don't even know, BUT the place is really very beautiful and...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Granddam Restaurant and Bar in the Manchester Hotel, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the beautifully designed interior—tasteful old-world décor with rich leather seating, dark wood accents, and a warm, inviting ambiance. The setting alone creates a perfect blend of elegance and comfort.

As for the food, it was simply exceptional. The highlight of the meal was the Lamb Wellington, which was nothing short of perfection. The lamb was tender and flavorful, wrapped in a delicate pastry that added just the right amount of texture. It’s a dish that stands out and makes you eager to come back for more.

I will say we weren't huge fans of the fire roasted vegetable schmear on the Bagel & Lox - seemed a bit overpowering. But the salmon itself was so amazing and more than made up for it.

The bar experience was equally impressive. We started with a bourbon tasting before dinner, and it was a real treat - charcuterie and gratuity was included in the $55 fee. Kentucky is known for its bourbon, and Granddam certainly showcases it well with a wide selection of premium options. The bartenders were knowledgeable and curated the tasting with great care, making the whole experience both informative and enjoyable. Our cocktails were also expertly crafted and complemented the meal beautifully.

Overall, Granddam Restaurant and Bar offers a top-tier dining experience in Lexington, combining excellent cuisine, impeccable drinks, and a refined atmosphere. Highly...