Standing Room Only — Restaurant in Lexington

I will preface this review by saying that Mr. Yamaguchi and his wife have both an excellent selection of Japanese Sake and Liquor, well-chosen food pairings that are both authentic and often creative, and a good concept and location. I also understand and respect their policy regarding wanting to be a "drink and make merry" establishment, rather than one focused on food.

My respect and appreciation for their vision has caused me to visit the establishment over 10 times in 3 years, even recommending it to friends and coworkers. I don't expect them to know that, but I would at least ask them to try to be a bit kinder to customers who stray from what they consider to be "correct".

I took my Japanese wife to SRO after a long day at work as a surprise. She saw an item on the menu she wanted, the Mentaiko (a treat from her hometown area), which the menu said had to be ordered with sake. My wife hates drinking but out of respect, we nevertheless ordered her a mix drink ($8) and I ordered two cups of sake for approximately 10 dollars each. Having spent 30 dollars on alcohol, I though it would be acceptable to then order the mentaiko for my wife.

Unfortunately, when I asked for it, it was pointed out to me in front of my wife that I and not her had ordered the sake and thus Yamaguchi-san would not be making the mentaiko for us, simply because I made the mistake of saying that the mentaiko was "for her". I was so shocked when I was told no that I honestly did not know what to say. Thinking it was a joke, I laughed and said "could you make an exception?", only to be explicitly told "no exception". I did not argue further, I simply ordered another item and we took them to the garden to finish.

This was embarrassing for me. My wife was extremely shocked and angered by this treatment as well. Given that we were hoping to relax after a difficult day by "celebrating" with a visit to SRO, this is not what we were hoping for. I understand refusing food for people who do not order alcohol, but please try to have a little bit more empathy for patrons who come to your restaurant willing to spend $50-some dollars while not perfectly satisfying your expectations. Change your menu, your rules, or whatever, I do not care, but whatever choice you make, please have a little heart when dealing with people who are doing their...

Much like my fiancé, I really struggled with whether or not to write this review, but ultimately decided I’m not fearful of too many people starting to flood this place and it losing any of the ‘secret’ appeal. They’ve been open for about three years, which is consistent with how long I’ve been hearing rumors of its existence. The owners used to have another place in town - Yamaguchi’s on a Codell Drive - but they grew tired of the ‘restaurant’ atmosphere and wanted to bring a more authentic Japanese concept to Central Kentucky. Apparently in Japan one of the most treasured times of day is unwinding after work with lots of alcohol and very little food; in fact, one of the tenets of SRO is you MUST order a drink! As you would expect, they have a wide variety of sakes to choose from (including the new local sake from The Void), as well as domestic and international beers. But no seats or bar stools. Remember: SRO = standing room only! 10-12 people would comfortably fit around the bar. They also have a small menu (~8 items) of traditional Japanese ‘tapas,’ for lack of a better word, i.e. small plates. We tried the bottom half of the menu, and absolutely loved the stir fried mustard greens. They were unlike anything either of us of ever had before, completely savory with a moderate spice level. I also really enjoyed the pepperocini cheese tofu pouches; sounds weird, but reminded me a little of Jet’s Pizza turbo crust. The cucumber with garlic miso was refreshing, but I didn’t care for the quail eggs, I think it was something in the sauce that turned me off. Outside there is a quiet garden with standing tables and also more of asit down picnic type area, with great tree cover and twinkle lights. As you would expect for such a niche experience, it was expensive, but if you’re in the mood for something different or entertaining out of town guests or just looking for a treat, this...

They offer great small dishes, including some of the freshest sashimi you can get in Kentucky. Although my favorite drink is an ice-cold bourbon highball, there's also a wide and thoughtful selection of Japanese sake — offering a deep and authentic taste of Japan in the heart of the South.

SRO isn’t just a casual dining spot (though it might be the most casual place around); it’s a shared space where strangers quickly become friends. The atmosphere is warm, relaxed, and refined — a place where conversations flow freely between guests and the chefs, and where food and drinks are often passed around the room. With no assigned seats, everyone shares the space — the floor, the table, the dishes, and their stories. That said, don’t worry if you’re not in the mood to chat — it’s just as easy to mind your own business and enjoy your meal in peace. I say all this to express just how welcoming and comfortable the atmosphere truly is.

SRO is like a small portal to Japan, where Kentucky’s southern hospitality blends beautifully into something truly unique. The room is always full of good people, good energy, and an inviting air that quietly encourages connection. It was a real joy to see the lovely owners again. I hold fond memories of SRO from when I lived in Lexington, and my recent quick visit brought it all back. Happy 7th anniversary to SRO — I look forward to returning for more...