Dine at this new upscale Lexington restaurant, where you can also stay for breakfast
Sitting in the garden and enjoying a cup of coffee, awaiting the arrival of guests for breakfast, is Anton Giovanetto’s favorite part of operating the Lyndon House Bed & Breakfast.
“We’ve got little critters, we’ve got bumblebees, we’ve got birds, we’ve got all of what a garden brings,” Giovanetto said. “So, it’s really a great place to start a day.”
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But the bed and breakfast in downtown Lexington now offers an upscale and intimate dinner option for the end of the day, too.
The restaurant, called Chez Lyndon, is the new offering from Giovanetto, and the historic Lyndon House, which was built in 1883. It’s open Thursday-Saturday to both guests of the bed and breakfast and the public.
Chez Lydon is connected to Lydon House at 507 North Broadway, which has seven guest rooms, several seating and lounge areas and a theater. Giovanetto purchased the property in Sept. 2000, opened its doors in April 2002, and has served as the innkeeper ever since.
“I am a professional at hospitality. It’s in my blood.” Giovanetto said. “My staff is very accommodating, but we have a home-like atmosphere.”
The restaurant opened four months ago, as a result of the city becoming more supportive of small businesses, Giovanetto said.
“Coming out of the pandemic, both the state and the city opened up their hearts and realized that if they’re more supportive of small businesses, the state and city would prosper because of increased tax revenues,” Giovanetto said. “I think both the state and the city have realized how valuable tourism is, and professional B&Bs are a large part of that.”
Chez Lyndon dinner menu at Lyndon House Bed & Breakfast
In-house chef Chris Roth orchestrates Chez Lydon’s menu, which features breakfast and an always changing, three-course prix-fix intimate dinner featuring a choice of salad, entree and desert. Some recent options included Italiano cucumber salad, pan-seared pork filet medallions with crab, corn, mac and cheese, country green bean salad, and baked Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding with sweet caramel sauce.
“Chef Chris Roth is a seasoned chef. He’s been in the business over 25 years,” Giovanetto said. “What Chez Lyndon offers that a lot of the downtown restaurants do not is that it’s not noisy, it’s not crowded, we’re not going to push anyone out of a seat because they’ve been there too long.”
The Lyndon House also partners with local vendors such as Nate’s Coffee, Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company and more.
“We believe that if you buy local, if you hire local, if you spend local, you support the whole community,” Giovanetto said. “That’s how a community thrives, by partnering with one another, plus it’s nice to have friends.”
Part of that local support includes events like tea parties and farm to feast demonstrations followed by brunch. The latter includes touring the Lexington Farmer’s Market with a chef and then a multi-course brunch back at the house.
In addition to the restaurant, the Lyndon House offers a stocked bourbon bar and is children- and pet-friendly.
Lyndon House Bed & Breakfast
Where: 507 North Broadway
Phone: (859) 420-2683
Chez Lyndon
Restaurant: Open to the public, you don’t have to stay the night at B&B
Reservations: Required, can be made online at OpenTable.com
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