Jonathan At Gratz Park

My take on Jonathan is simple. The food is really very good, the prices are pretty high, and the atmosphere is relatively casual with a hint of stuffiness. If you can afford to go there regularly, it should probably be a solid part of your rotation. If not, it’s a good place to go every couple of years for variety’s sake without feeling like you’re intruding on someone’s fancy-​schmancy dinner pahhty. It’s also a great place to go if someone else is buying! You won’t be disappointed in the food. The bar is pretty solid and the service is generally strong.

The mushroom dusted beef is amazing! The service is exceptional and the food is always delicious! One of my favorite places to take visitors to Lexington to experience the cuisine of the Bluegrass.

Overpriced!
The ambiance is comfortable AND classy, which is usually difficult to pull off. However, for the price the food was definitely not worth it. I ordered the salmon which came out overcooked (dry in the center).
The one thing you need to keep in mind is that the whiskey menu features the price of half a drink. They display the price of one ounce while what they bring to you is two ounces and thus charge you twice the amount on the menu. Not only is that annoying, but the whiskey is extremely overpriced. I don’t mind paying extra for good scotch but not when the price does not reflect the value.
All in all, good restaurant. But for what you end up spending, it is definitely not worth it. Not gonna go back there again.

The food is absolutely amazing! Great for a business dinner or a date night. Fresh food infused with Kentucky bourbon in almost very dish! I’ve ate at fine restaurants all over the country, and this is by far one of the best! Along with a French restaurant called Balthazar in soho Manhattan. Anyways, back to Jonathan’s. The las time I was there I had sea scallop hot browns, country ham potstickers with Asian bourbon soy, Gratz park salad, mushroom dusted beef tenderloin, bourbon glazed crème brûlée, and the ice cream tasting. Absolutely delish. Five stars.

Excellent food. Excellent service (knowledgeable about the «book of bourbons») and great ambiance. Convenient location — off street parking (no charge) and easy to use.

My wife and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner at Jonathan. The menu was creative yet embraced the culture of Kentucky. Service was 5 star. And if you enjoy bourbon the selection is 2^nd to nobody else.

First i gave 25% tip, but the food if this is the best Lexington has then I’m sorry go to Atlanta. Service great for the price but the food was just ok.

Made reservations for the main dining room. However, we were given a table in the bar area. When we expressed our desire to sit in the main dining room, we were told that were not any tables available. Why make a reservation then! Not appreciated at all!

(4.5 stars)
I used the $ 25 «restaurant week» menu as an excuse to finally try what Jonathan at Gratz Park had to offer. The restaurant week menu allowed us to taste samples of several dishes, and overall, I had no complaints!!! Of all the dishes I tried, probably the scallop hot brown was my favorite, with the bourbon & coke braised short ribs as the next favorite. It’s great seeing southern cuisine with a modern and exciting twist. Service was excellent as our server was very knowledgeable and professional. I felt neither neglected nor harassed and that is always a sign of good service in my book.
Though I don’t have the budget to dine at Jonathan’s often, I will definitely be looking forward to my next visit here.

Jonathan is certainly a place to go to for a pricier meal on a special occasion. I love the historic building and old-​timey feel of the restaurant. My group really enjoyed their Manhattans, despite the higher price point. The food was very good. We thought the salmon was especially tasty, but I also enjoyed my dusted beef tenderloin very much. The shrimp and grits were good, though surprisingly tasted a tad like chicken Parmesan. The scallop hot browns were probably my favorite. Service was good, though the food takes some time to get out– it was just bordering on feeling like it was taking too long, but then, there it was! I’m not sure the experience and meal in its entirety was one that I would long for to go back to, but we were pleased and happy with our choice for the night.

The food and service was top notch. Loved the combinations. Classy place.

I need to try it again. The food was not bad, but it honestly tasted like something I would make at home. Not a nice dinner for a dinner party, but something I would whip up on a weekday. I had the veal piccata and the pasta came out with a large clump of noodles in the middle. The textures were just off, and the flavor wasn’t very good. I have, however, had some items from Jonathan Lundy’s cookbook, and they were amazing. So I’m certainly willing to give this place a try again. I just hope it will be better next time.

Jonathan is just ok in terms of the food and so-​so on the price. I enjoyed the focus on bringing in elements that make up the regions culture and putting it in the food like using Ale 8 in one of the sauces.
However, it’s not food with any special wow factor to it, it’s just normal food that tastes pretty normal. Although cooked well, I just expect more when I go to places like this when it comes to the chef creating something that’s special, even if it’s just a little bit.
You will wait quite a while for your food and other things to come out except the drinks. Which led me to believe that the slow food service is meant to give you time to unwind, but I’m from the west coast… Patiently waiting for my food isn’t in my DNA.

In Lexington, yep its as good as it gets. Can be a little stuffy but hey you get that back with such a great meal. Last time I had pork Chop with PawPaw preserves, where else you going to get that??? Tops in Lexington for sure!

**3.5**
So — I don;t understand Lexington! People give all these places awesome reviews, but they turn out to be just meh!
I saw reviews of the place — was super excited to come here and try the food. people on Unilocal have been raving. I have heard good thing about the place. but it turned out to be just so-​so!
— Started with the Grit fries, pretty yummy and a nice presentation.
— The complimentary focaccia bread was nice and yum, the cornbread however just lacked flavor. The tiny little cupcakes looked so yum, but then you had one and it was just another mehh. Disappointment :(Given the chef trained in New Orleans, I would think cornbread here should be nothing short of amazing!
— The butternut squash soup was okay. NOTHING compared to the awesomeness they serve at Heirloom (
), though!
— Smoked Salmon was just okay. My fish had a nice glaze but was cooked medium rare, which I am not a fan of (they never did ask me what temperature I wanted) The potatoes were cooked perfectly and the sweet mustard glaze was too good! My Asparagus however — was definitely underdone. I understand crisp veggies, but this was plain under done. I find it hard to believe that a celeb chef kitchen would send out underdone asparagus. Loved the capers on the dish too — wish there were a bit more though, for more flavor.
— My friend had the special roasted pork pasta dish that she said was pretty good.
Our service was slow — not intolerably so, but it could definitely have been way better! Our server’s attitude is a whole different story now! He was never not courteous and kept our water glasses full, but he seemed — i don’t know how to put it — too pretentious and pompous! I found that very weird and at some point I felt he was interrupting our conversations way too many times! He never bothered to explain any dishes and almost seemed like he did not want to be there :(one star off for that, unfortunately!
For the price you pay and the service/​food you get — I really don;t think this place is that worth it.

5-​Star Food Porn!
O
M
G
As I told my date, «This deserves way more than a ‘mmmm’.» We started with the Ale 8 Pork Belly starter… the sweet-​salty mix with ginger and spice in the chutney topper and the supporting bed of coleslaw was freaking amazing! We split it taking one piece each and then fighting over the chutney to finish. Don’t be afraid of «Pork Belly» — what it is is a real thick cut of uncured bacon that instead of being fried is seared and slow cooked to a cut-​with-​a-​fork-​tenderness like real good pork roast. The flavors are as if it was brined then marinated in the Ale 8.
The yeast bread rolls with a sprinkle of sea salt, hot from the oven — I now know how to do my rolls at home. Add that sea salt! Takes a basic bread to the next level. The mini cornbread muffins were not too dry, and just the right sweet-​style vs. the savory style of cornbread for me. But I’d have eaten twice the yeast rolls if they had been offered.
I had a glass of the Pinot Grigio, and it was a perfect compliment to the Prawns with White Cheddar Grits. A few crisp green beans garnished the five perfectly prepared prawns in a mild sweet and savory glaze. The White Cheddar Grits were like a heavy mashed potato, just enough cheddar for me. Was really surprised that I liked it so much.
My date went with the Mushroom Dusted Tenderloin, prepared med-​rare. He asked to change out the mashed potatoes for the pumpkin polenta. The meat could not have been more perfectly seared and finished. If you told us it was a petite filet mignon, we’d have agreed. The pumpkin polenta was the side for a different dish, but we both really wanted to try it out. And it was worth the exchange. (Another dish I now need to learn to make!) The baby asparagus that graced the top of this dish was perfectly grilled so that there was still a ‘snap’ to them.
We made sure to leave room for dessert — as this place had the ambiance of special and romantic. To go with the best cup of coffee I’ve had on my trip to the area this last week, we had the chocolate burbon ball torte. Can you say it with me? ORGASMIC! The plate was drizzled with a dark chocolate and Bookers burbon sauce. Sitting in the middle was a tiny wedge of (I think) flourless dark chocolate torte with a crushed and candied pecan crust. Embedded on the top were tiny Bookers burbon balls. I think this is what sent our meal into the Food Porn catagory. I would go back to just have the dessert.
Yes it was a pricey meal, but it was the ending treat to a long Breeders’ Cup weekend in the area and absolutely worth it.
If you are trying to find it, it is inside the hotel at 120 W Second Street. There’s a circular driveway and supposedly parking for the hotel that you can use. We got lucky with a 6pm Sunday seating to get the easiest street parking spot available.
And yes, it is worth the effort to dress for this meal. It adds to the entire experience.

We’ve had our ups and downs with Jonathan’s over the years. This time was the worst ever, mainly due to the server (not ours) that was waiting on a large table next to us. He moved our table (without asking twice), then took away two of our chairs (again without asking) even though we were using them. When we commented on him dropping our packages and purses on the floor he swung around snapped at us in a very unpleasant, rude and loud voice. I had my fill of him and the other servers were just staring at him in horror as well as the other guests. Do not EVER accept the gray-​haired server with glass — TERRIBLE!
Ambiance on the patio was delightful even though it’s small and cramped. Food was mainly good. The Peanut Curry was a little too one-​note, but good for vegetarian food, the steaks were both cooked perfectly and the «mushroom bacon» was to die for.
If not for the rude server, it would have been a great birthday meal.

My aunt, who lives in the Lexington area, chose Jonathan’s for her
birthday celebration. We called & had reservations with a request to be on the patio because the main dining room feels extremely (and unnecessarily) fancy and it was supposed to be a nice summer evening. On the way to the restaurant there was a bit of a rain shower, nothing major but when we got to the restaurant we were very rudely told that there was no way we could be on the patio (even though the sun was shining and it wasn’t really that wet). Truthfully we understood and assumed we might not be able to go out there, but thought we’d ask anyways. The problem was the attitude we got from the «hostess» who looked like she would rather be anywhere than doing her job. At a nice restaurant like Jonathan’s you don’t expect to get treated like that and it kind of got us off to a bad start.
BUT, once we did get to our waiter and begin to think about the food, things improved a great deal. First and foremost, I have to mention that our waiter was attentive and precise. I always order Gin & Tonics with 2 limes and never get the 2^nd lime. This waiter remembered the 2^nd lime. Ohhhh yeah.
For dinner I had the Pork «Strip Steak» (still not sure why they call it that), which was quite good. The waiter warned me that the chef served it cooked «very medium», something I usually prefer but definitely took some getting used to because it was pork and not beef… It was served with goat cheese gratin and an apricot sauce. It was delicious and flavorful, but a little too sweet for my taste. I think that’s just southern cooking, but I’m not a big sugar fan so sweetness in my entrees is not my preference. But it was good.
For dessert I had the Butterscotch Bourbon Cream Brulee, which was really good. The bourbon cut the sweetness perfectly (again, not a big fan of sweet things) and they serve it flaming… adding some fire to your meal is always a good thing in my book…
I like chefs that have pride in their roots and cook from years of experience in one area of cooking. This guy clearly loves Kentucky Bluegrass food and does a very good job of presenting classics with a twist. Good stuff. Next time I’m in Lexington, I will definitely keep Jonathan’s at the top of my list.

Came here after a Friday at Keeneland when my friends and I were visiting from Las Vegas. I grew up in KY and went to college at UK, but never made it to Jonathan’s. Mostly because it was way too classy of a place for me to frequent during my college years.
Got there right at 5 when the lounge opens and we sat at the bar, because I forgot that in Lexington after Keeneland, you might want to get a reservation. The bartender was not overly friendly. However, in his defense, my two out of town friends were ready to fully experience life in the bluegrass and my one Jersey friend ordered a mint julep. Even after he explained that it would take several minutes, she had her heart set. So, we watched him literally break a sweat making this thing. Then, he brings it to my Jersey friend and the other friend tries it and says, «Yeah, I’ll have one of those.» He cried a little on the inside and proceeded to sweat more making her a mint julep. On to the food…
We started with Burgoo, Pimento Cheese Grits Fries (these were so awesome), Fried Green Tomato Salad and Gratz Park Salad. Nothing special about the Gratz Park Salad or the burgoo (Not a fan of burgoo), but the Pimento Cheese Grits Fries were spicy, unique and delicious. My friends really enjoyed the Fried Green Tomato Salad.
For my entrée I had the Mushroom Dusted Beef Tenderloin at the bartender’s suggestion. Very good flavor and the shitake bacon was so different. One friend had Shrimp & Grits and my other friend had a dish that I didn’t even see because she ate it so fast. :)
The great thing about Jonathan’s is the way he puts his own spin on regional cuisine. Very creative menu offerings. I highly recommend this place for a nice evening out in Lexington and especially to show out of towners some great examples of local cuisine.

Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Sorghum Glazed Seared Sea Scallops
Can you remember that? YOU BETTER IF YOU COME HERE. Hands down one of the best entrees I have ever eaten in my life! Scallops with Roasted Butternut Squash Weisenberger Mill Grits, Wilted Arugula,
Dried Cranberries and Pepitas… sounds like a mouthful I know, but it is! And a wonderfully, amazing mouthful it is too! Totally worth the $ 30 pricetag, it just bursts with flavors in your mouth with every bite – it was our waiters favorite dish and as corny as the phrase goes, it really was «love at first bite!!!»
My boyfriend was jealous of my dish the whole night, but his was also pretty good… but the waiter convinced him to order a steak special dish instead of the tenderloin he thought he would order, and for the increase in price, Matt didn’t think it was all that. My dish was cheaper and still kicked its butt, although the steak itself was cooked very well the side dishes served with it were just normal dishes… nothing too amazing.
Our oyster special appetizer made up for it, and there is a reason these are known as aphrodisiacs – something about eating an oyster just makes you feel fancy and lovey dovey, and they do know how to make oysters here!
It is a small, dark, intimate venue inside of a hotel which usually screams, no don’t go here, but the wait staff was great and very attentive and pretty funny and even directed us non-​locals to a good bar for after dinner drinks, so all in all, a fine lexington dining experience, and if I find another place that makes a scallop dish that amazing, and with all of those flavors that just seem to work together in a way my tastebuds have never known before, then I would be a happy lady!