The Bridge Eatery- Lexington, KY

Treat your taste buds to a vacation, courtesy of The Bridge Eatery & Bar on Romany Road in Lexington, KY. I am quite the fan of Mediterranean fare and appreciating an authentic meal with Bridge Eatery prompted fond memories of my marvelous trips to Europe.

My friend, Miranda of the Sass in the Bluegrass blog joined me for a fun, afternoon brunch. Entering, we were greeted warmly by Sam and the owner, Mr G.  The interior was bright, open and beautifully decorated with colorful artwork.

It turned out that Sam was a terrific bartender and he crafted some amazing libations for us from their extensive drink menu. They carry 30 bourbons from which to choose. I decided on the refreshing Cosmo Martini and Miranda opted for a zesty Bridge Margarita.

The chilled beverages put us in the mood for appetizers from which the FabFive was an easy consensus. There were choice samples of a creamy hummus (chick pea dip), tangy cacik (a cool concoction of yogurt, cucumbers, mint and garlic similar to tzasiki ), baba ganoush (a savory eggplant spread), tender tabbouleh (a bulgur dish) and sakuska (a rich eggplant and tomato dip). We scooped up the earthy goodness with house-made pita chips, both baked and fried.

Before we got too far our culinary cruise director, Mr G insisted we try the lahmacun with our sauces. Lahmacun is a Turkish flat bread filled with ground beef and herbs. In Turkey they often use this soft, unleavened bread as a base for dipping, folding or rolling in various foodstuff.

We turned our sights to the Italian influence and ordered the Margarita pizza. Our pie arrived sizzling with a crunchy, hand-made crust, large slices of melting, buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. The Margarita pizza was baked to perfection and a pleasure for the pallet.

For to the second round of drinks I had to go with the fan favorite, a delicious Old Fashioned mixed with Kentucky’s Woodford Reserve bourbon. Miranda went out on the limb with the intriguing Vigilante: gin, St-Germain, herb syrup, lemon juice with a sprig of rosemary. Delightful!

Turning our taste bud tour back to Turkey, we savored heavenly chicken and lamb kebabs. The meats were juicy, tender and incredibly seasoned; sided with a moist, bulgur pilaf. As we relished our meal, Chef Bilal arrived at the table to welcome us. I always enjoy meeting the faces behind the food and Chef Bilal was both gracious and a fantastic cook!

With absolutely no room for dessert, Mr G persuaded us to sip a vibrant Turkish coffee to compliment the close of our luncheon. I’ve had this type of brew before and it brought back great reminisces of dinner with friends in a warm, Turkish home. In fact, I felt as if Mr G had invited us into his own home. While we dined, he regaled us with fascinating stories, answered questions and gave insights on our wonderful cuisine. In deed, we made friends with the engaging Bridge family that day. 

I can’t wait for a return visit and trust you will take the opportunity to indulge in The Bridge's flavorful fare, as well. You will find their menu has something for everyone, full of enticing options including crisp salads, tantalizing wraps and succulent burgers. In addition, traditional European dishes are offered such as Turkish moussaka (potato/eggplant dish), delicate pastas, hot calzones and delectable lamb chops. 

So take the high road and cross over to The Bridge for a cordial and uniquely entertaining meal!

Shout out to Alex of LexFoodGuide to letting us know about the awesome restaurant!

PS: The Bridge offers student and game day specials.

Have you been to the Bridge or would like to go? Leave your comments below!