Coles 735 Main Menu

  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • Bar Bites

Healthy Meal suggestions for Coles 735 Main

  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • Bar Bites

Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Ellen C.

    Our server Brian was polite up until we ordered our bottle of wine. He stopped talking to us yet seemed pretty chatty with the other tables. Every table in the restaurant received a basket of bread but our table. He never asked how our food was. I would have preferred the woman that brought our food out to us. I would have loved to get dessert but I was so put off by his attitude towards us. He didn't say a word when he set the dessert menu on the table. When we politely declined dessert he gave us check and hovered behing while we filled it out even though we each had an entire glass of wine left. Our waiter was talking to the hostess when we left and I attempted to say goodbye but we were not thanked or even regarded. I had high expectations because we were looking forward to a nice meal the Friday before Valentine's day but that was not what happened.

    (2)
  • Joanna S.

    Love the menu, atmosphere, and service. This is a place I recommend for taking people who are visiting from out of town. They have a wonderful patio and the atmosphere is light and fun. The waitstaff and hosts are very friendly. Just try and save room for dessert - It's not the easiest thing to do.

    (4)
  • Lauren O.

    I've been here numerous times and have always been impressed. This is easily one of the best restaurants in Lexington. It covers so many bases with its goodness. Service is always top-notch. Cocktails are delicious. The food is creative, fresh, and provides a broad range of options. My only suggestion here would be for Coles to create a more dynamic menu. For such a nice place with a very talented chef, I think they could boost their goodness even higher with a menu that adapts to the seasons. They do have a specials menu each night which always has excellent local ingredients. Overall, great restaurant. Charming environment with savory food.

    (5)
  • Renee L.

    This place has NEVER disappointed us! It's one of our favorite restaurants in the area! The atmosphere is perfect and the service is top notch! Larry (our waiter) gave great recommendations and is on the ball! Our spicy tuna and avocado app was a special for the night. Fabulous choice to start an unbelievable meal! If you haven't tried grilled Caesar salad, Coles 735 is definitely the place to try it! We both love it!!! I had the Filet special which was, without a doubt, the best steak I've EVER eaten! Larry didn't even flinch when I asked to substitute grits for the vegetable! Not something I would do anywhere else believe me... but the Wiesenberger grits are phenomenal! The filet was cooked to perfection!! It was so good I hated to eat the last bite! The other entree selected was the Beef Shoulder Tender with roasted poblano whipped potatoes with lump crab!!! The beef in this entree was almost as good as my filet! The potatoes were light but creamy and full of a wonderful blend of flavors. Surprisingly, we managed to save room for our final course of Italian Creme Cake. We ate every single bite of it! It was almost better than moms!! Every single selection was superb! An excellent meal that definitely deserves the highest rating possible! If you haven't tried Coles, treat yourself to a meal there ASAP!

    (5)
  • Brooke M.

    The fried avocado is worth the trip! Everything I've ever had here is awesome! The shrimp and grits are some of the best in Lexington.

    (5)
  • Jonathan D.

    Have been twice now and liked it our first time but loved it our second time. Get the scallops. Great craft cocktails and great wine selection. Still trying to figure out the decor/ambiance.

    (4)
  • Shyanie K.

    We came here for restaurant week. I truly enjoyed the food! Appetizers- Panko avocado with crabmeat, sashimi and pork belly. All were SO good. Loved the sauces that accompanied each item. For dinner I ordered the beef shoulder. It was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes with crab were so smooth. I really enjoyed the meal. Also they only serve one by glass Pinot noir and it was amazing!!! Will be back again to try another part of the menu!!

    (4)
  • Cherlynn S.

    This is probably my favorite place in LEX! Charming atmosphere, excellent service and great food. The fried avacado with crab salad is a must and they make what is possibly the most perfect key lime pie in history. The beef shoulder is my current favorite entree. My husband and I constantly leave super satisfied.

    (5)
  • Rob C.

    Second time here. As was the first time, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The service was above most other places in town. The waiter did a great job remembering without reading all of the specials and was helpful in explaining the dishes. I gave it a 4 star but I do have a couple of suggestions for the restaurant management. I chose the diver scallops. While the scallops were nicely done, the grain and vegetable mix did not seem to go with it. Also, the mix with hard and chewy and it just wasn't good. My second suggestion is that the service was a bit over done. While the servers were attentive and made sure that we did not run out of water and other beverages, too many people to stopped by the table too often to ask how things were going. We were trying to have a conversation and were interrupted quite a bit. However, we will come back, but I will pull the waiter aside and ask him/her not to visit our table quite so much. Truly great service is a delicate balance between making sure people have what they need, making sure they like what they have, but then leaving them alone to be able to interact with the person or group they are with.

    (4)
  • Jane S.

    We loved dining at Coles. The food was seasoned to perfection. The service was great and the recommendations on wine expert and spot-on. I'm only sorry I was visiting and can't return often. I suggest ordering the Brussels Sprouts salad.

    (5)
  • Alexa S.

    Loved it. Inventive menu. Service attentive.mfanulous wine list.

    (5)
  • Steve C.

    Great food, great service, great ambiance! We had dinner here for the first time during a recent trip to Lexington. The filet mignon and duck breast entrees, brussel sprouts and bacon appetizer, and key lime pie were all fantastic. Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Emily B.

    Amazing and very unique menu! Consistently good every time, never had a bad anything at Cole's and eaten there at least 20 times. Great service too!

    (5)
  • Eden S.

    I love this restaurant. We were there last night and I ordered the Morrocan Butternut Squash and my husband ordered the filet. It was all just perfect and the the wait staff and the attention to detail is amazing. Everyone is so polite and they truly care if you like the food or not. Diane is one of the best waitresses/bartenders I have encountered. The ambience is warm and cozy. I had a cocktail made with basil. (I can't remember the name of it, but it was awesome.) I wish I would have remembered to take pictures, but I always think of it after the fact. I will definitely be back. Everyone needs to try this place!

    (5)
  • Sian M.

    I would gladly trade one of my kidneys for a platter of Coles' panko fried avocado. Even if everything else about Coles was terrible I would still come here on the regs to get down on that fried avocado. Luckily, everything else about Coles is ALMOST as incredible. I visited Coles for the first time a few months ago with my parents and grandma for my mom's 50th birthday. My grandmother is impossible to please therefore it's mortifying to go out to eat with her. She's never abusive to waitstaff, but often hypercritical and unforgiving. But even she loved everything about Coles. I almost thought all was lost when her filet came out way too rare for her, but our stellar server JD brought it back to the kitchen to cook for a few more minutes and when it came back out she was pleased as punch. My dad and I split the beet & goat cheese salad and I got the shrimp & grits as my entree. The salad was a bit on the small side but absolutely delicious, and with all the appetizers we got I didn't need anything huge. My shrimp were enormously plump and perfectly cooked, and the grits were in a sort of polenta-like cake form which was a welcome surprise. Bonus points for using Weisenberger grits! Can I just live here? I'll set up a cot in the back, I promise you won't even know I'm there aside from the 3 times a day I'll be found shoveling fried avocado into my gullet.

    (5)
  • Tanya S.

    Very good food. A little on the pricey side but Definitely worth it. Great appetizers and huge portion salads.

    (4)
  • J S.

    Food was amazing!!! Had the ny strip, beef shoulder, avocado and muscles. All of it was awesome! Recommend 100% make a reservation.

    (5)
  • C W.

    I came to Lexington for a business meeting. I felt this was a great local restaurant and was not a steak house which I always try to avoid. I enjoyed the fried avocado. I also ordered the shrimp and grits. It's more like fried polenta and 3 shrimp which was maybe a little on the small size, but tasty. I enjoyed the local atmosphere and would recommend this establishment to others.

    (4)
  • Jim B.

    Truly a delightful dining experience. Living in Frankfort, we frequently dine in either Louisville or Lexington. This meal was the best of either city. Starting with the pork belly appetizer, we ate our way through the beet and goat cheese salad , the Brussels sprout salad, the beef shoulder, and the pork chop. We finished with the carrot cake and the flour less chocolate cake. The weakest dish of the bunch was absolutely wonderful.

    (5)
  • Tamra D.

    Everything about this restaurant was ON POINT. The interior of the restaurant had fabulous design, with unique attention to the minutest of details - think pillows, picture frames, linens, flowers... even the bathroom felt like I was walking into a French-inspired Pinterest board. The food was nothing short of delicious. I had the cantaloupe gazpacho for starter and was pleasantly surprised. It was sweet and creamy, with a little bit of spice. For my main course, I enjoyed a medium rare filet, cooked to perfection, served with fried grits (yes, it is as good as it sounds). The service was impeccably seamlessly. Nothing more to say - you know a server does his job when he goes unnoticed. A true gem in Lexington, I will be sure to return.

    (5)
  • Nana M.

    I have been to Cole's on several occasions, over the past year, with my wife and friends to sample their products. It has been nothing shy of superb, on every occasion. The meals are expertly prepared. The staff is highly attentive. Everyone in my group is highly satisfied with our experiences at Cole's. Coming from a bunch of foodies, who both live to cook as well as dine out, it doesn't come any better. Thank you.

    (5)
  • Heather P.

    After continuously reading all positive reviews on Yelp about Coles, I finally decided to go. I now will agree, that it's one of the best in Lexington. Unfortunately the first time that I attempted to go, I found out that they are closed on Sundays. The next time that we decided to go, as a last minute spontaneous dinner. We pulled in the lot on a Tuesday around 7pm and noticed that parking was scarce, so that was a good sign. Then we noticed the sign that indicated that there is additional parking available in the school board parking lot, which is next door, on East Main too. We checked in at the hostess stand and were informed that the only seating availability was on the patio. Note to self: make reservations or at least call to try to make reservations, the next time that I decide to go. The patio is covered and now one of my favorite patios. It was a bit chilly because of the rain, so the waitress turned on the overhead heater and brought me a blanket. OK, the blanket was a bit strange, but it was a nice gesture... and I used it. I will admit that none of the entrees on the menu appealed to me. I'm not a steak eater and I some of the items, I wasn't brave enough to risk and end up and not liking. The waitress was excellent! She explained the featured special items, what they were garnished with and what she recommended. First we were given a basket of scrumptious rolls and butter. Then I discovered the bar menu... perfect! We ordered four items from the bar menu to share. They brought the the duck fat fries and the roasted beet and goat cheese salad. The portion of fries were huge, especially considering that the price was only $5. The goat cheese salad was greens topped with a warm portion of goat cheese. It was the first time that I'd had warm goat cheese and it was excellent. Then the (3) pork tacos and the fried avocado arrived... we were already full. Leftovers are always a good thing, right? The avocado made a good breakfast and the tacos a good leftover lunch. Four meals for a bit over $50 after the 20% tip, not too bad, or what I was expecting to pay.

    (5)
  • Nina L.

    Great food! Awesome service. Dessert was great. Highly recommend. Patio seating was a hit! Though I'll recommend some citronella candles in the summer to get rid of insects ... Hahah

    (5)
  • Mark E.

    We made it to Coles for the first time last weekend. Excellent service, great food and fine atmosphere. Started with a couple of cocktails, both were very tasty. We had a fried avocado and tuna appetizer on the recommendation of the server. It was different, crunchy and soft at the same time. Unique, but probably would not order it again. Soup and salad were excellent as were the entrees (Shrimp/Grits and Salmon). Desert of Key Lime Pie was a perfect way to finish the meal. Highly recommended. Make reservations.

    (5)
  • Megan M.

    Best things are the fried avocado with crab and the Mac n cheese! The atmosphere is alittle stuffy. I wish the bar area was alittle bigger to eat at instead of having to get a table - I think the bar menu is stellar and I'll definitely return.

    (5)
  • Yneng C.

    We're road tripping and we depend on Yelp a lot on food recommendations since we are not familiar with the area. My husband and I have few things we consider when picking out a place to eat. Location, service, cleanliness, taste, & ambience. We have a 6 month old daughter traveling with us, we also have a dog so we consider the pet friendly places a bonus! This place is definitely easy to find and parking is good. Very clean and simple and the ambience is perfect! We came in 20 minutes before they closed and they accommodated as nicely and our waiter was very nice. He was also knowledgeable about the menu and specials. Lastly, the taste was AMAZING! Everything was seasoned well! The presentation was also great. I wish we could eat here again but we recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Tony A.

    Typical Lexington. Average and forgettable. Buttery, generally heavy food with some unique wines and cocktails. Atmosphere is strange, I'm sure some will find it delightful (if you're a fan of Merrick or Dudleys). It did not help that they sat my fiancé and I in the strangest possible place... Right around the corner from the host stand where we were privy to every conversation of each guest upon their entrance. We ordered the best possible things you could order on the menu (steak, salads, weekly special), and we're not impressed - even after the server told us it would be the best steak in town. My hunch is that the 40 and over crowd in Lexington raves about this place because it fits and caters to the expectations of middle-aged and older people in Lexington who have grown complacent with the food scene here. I was told by multiple people I deeply respect to go to this place, but I couldn't find it compelling enough to return a second time, meanwhile I keep returning to my favorite restaurants here in town on a weekly basis.

    (3)
  • Kim N.

    I am so glad that we ate here! The food was really wonderful. I had a delicious roasted beet and goat cheese salad that was much more sophisticated then most. I tried the "beef shoulder tender" which I have never had before. It was good, not outstanding, but very good. My husband had the duck and that was better than my entree. What may have been the most amazing thing was the side that came with my entree. It was mashed potatoes that were topped with roasted mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and asparagus. Sounds simple right? At first, it seemed odd to even put those things on top of the potatoes. Then I tried it. It was incredible. The flavor combination was out of this world. I was stuffed and I kept eating it until it was gone. Sadly, they ran out of the creme brûlée dessert I wanted (but definitely didn't need by that point). Our cocktails were good and our server was very nice. The only thing that was hugely disappointing was the decor. This restaurant is badly in need of a makeover. Their food is so sophisticated and delicious, it is a shame that the decor of the restaurant doesn't match. Luckily it was evening and dim in the restaurant. Not sure I could manage to go in daylight hours. : )

    (4)
  • Crystal A.

    Last night was my first time at Coles 735 Main, and I must say it lived up to its expectations. For entrees we got the Filet Mignon and Shrimp And Grits. Both excellent choices. One of the better steaks I've had at a lexington restaurant. This place is a must visit!

    (5)
  • Ann B.

    Phenomenal food, exceptional service ... The New York Strip was delicious. Highly recommend giving them a try!

    (5)
  • D J.

    Two trips, the exact same order each time and they tasted exactly the same each time - delicious to the last bite. The go-to bites - Moroccan Butternut Squash Stew - a superb, healthy vegetarian option of a vegetable stew with side of quinoa and pesto, almonds et al to add to the flavor. With a side of perfectly prepared Lemon Shallot Brussel Sprouts that should serve as an inspiration to hit the market and use my oven! The wine and cocktails didn't make an impression but chocolate cookies a la mode certainly did! Food apart, love the vibe of this place - a little country, a little rustic, very very busy each time I've been there - it's comfortable, pretty, southern and classy rolled into one great dining destination. Probably my only favorite restaurant in Lexington - but well worth the trips in.

    (4)
  • Lisa M.

    Coles. Let's speak on first impressions - AWKWARD. The decor is that of the typical prideful horse country, which I don't mind, but then everything else is so weird. I feel like I'm sitting in my grandmothers basement. Everything is old fashioned but not in a good way. Think gingham print pillows and uneven wobbly tables someone is using to play bingo on being your accommodations whilst dining. Pair that with no division of room and a color pallet that is putrid and you have Coles. Sounds mean but, never in my life..... Service. It was slow. The drinks took awhile to bring, my martinis took a a turn for the better once the first wasn't up to par. And on a side note the bar- ha it's like a joke. I feel it would be better suited as 1/4 of kitchen and design to mimic the the show Golden Girls. You don't want to drink there!!! Uncomfortable. maybe have hot tea perhaps? Moving on... I ordered duck breast. They brought me shrimp and grits. So I don't get how a protein that needs to be entered with temperature could be mistakenly entered for shrimp and grits. Once another 20 minutes passed my duck was cooked at a temperature lower than medium ( their recommendation) even though I requested medium. The potatoes were dry, they were made much earlier and had dried out by the time my dinner service began much less waiting for the corrected entree. This place did have some positive aspects. The good notes. They did correct the wobbling table. The restroom was small but clean. Found out they do have an outside patio. Pork belly appetizer was great. It was tender with a very nice charred crust. The bed of vegetable shavings underneath were dressed in a tangy vinaigrette that paired nicely with the richness of pork.

    (3)
  • Jenn M.

    I'll keep this short--One of the best restaurants in Lexington. Everything is wonderful!

    (5)
  • Amy H.

    Had the Strip steak. Was excellent! Husband had the pork chop, also very delicious. Service was great!! Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Robert G.

    We were traveling through Lexington with our pet and was happy to find that they allowed dogs on there gazebo. The food, drinks and service were all excellent.

    (4)
  • Elaine D.

    It's expensive -- and for food that didn't blow me away. I love duck, so I ordered the duck breast with a glass of wine. The naked plate syndrome struck again. An entrée barely enough to satisfy. Seriously, if you're going to high-price an entrée, you can't add a side without (over)- charging for it? Have to wonder if I was paying for the décor, oddly tea-room-like.

    (2)
  • Olwen C.

    I've always heard good things about Cole's. Mostly that it is expensive so it's taken me awhile to decide to try it. I came for what I hoped would be happy hour only to find out that they have absolutely no drink specials ever. So my friend and I ordered drinks and an appetizer. The Panko fried avocado with Tuna was delicious. They have a full dinner menu and also a bar menu that includes appetizer type items but they are in the $10-$15 range. I saw some plates walking by that all looked really tasty.

    (4)
  • Jesse R.

    Four stars because there isn't a five star restaurant in Lexington. That said, this place was delicious and everything was firing on all eight cylinders for a Friday evening dinner with the wife Decor - meh, they did the best they could with the space available. It's quiet and romantic. Overly dark in some spots but maybe that was intentional. Cuisine - the menu was solid for the fall. Enough variants in plates to stand up to the crazy fall weather in Lexington. Staff - well they try. There isn't a fine dining spot in Lexington who understand the service aspect. Likely because the business owners never make it out of this little bubble of mediocre serviced restaurants and venture into a larger metro to see how the big boys do it. Anyway, I suggest this place. It's solid.

    (4)
  • Brian J.

    I guess I don't play fair. At a certain price point I expect more. The food was good but it did not blow me away. The Asian baby back ribs was not even close to a Asian flavor. Just because it is served with Kimchi does not make it Asian. Not that they were bad. In fact I eat at a great hole in wall place in Louisville that has the same smoke sweet flavor. Look up boot leg barbecue. Cats out of the bag!

    (3)
  • Mike M.

    Our first time here. Coles has it all; great food, attentive service, and lovely ambiance. We enjoyed the Baked Brie 'en Croute' and Marksbury Farm Pork Belly Confit (appetizers), Sautéed Duck Breast and Lamb Shank special (entrees) and the Bourbon Ball Flourless Chocolate Torte for dessert. Coles will be our go-to for dinner and conversation. Chef Cole elevated the star ingredient in every dish with a chorus of flavor and seasoning, the service was attentive but not intrusive, the decor was pleasant and comfortable, and the noise level was just right for conversation.

    (5)
  • Ashley C.

    My husband and I went here for our first anniversary and what a treat it was. Their menu changes often, but I've found that every meal is amazing. Coles offers an intimate dining experience with outstanding service. A memorable and romantic restaurant for anyone celebrating a special occasion.

    (5)
  • Ben S.

    Went here close to when it opened and went with my parents visiting. We're all foodies (look at my gut and lament...) and Lexington has been a bit of a let down for me since I moved here. Luckily, there are a few places I can always go to and count on a fantastic meal, Coles is probably the best one of the bunch for a 'fine dining' experience. For a town that can't cook a steak to save their lives, Coles can. I absolutely loved the NY Strip I had here. Atmosphere is awesome, very family-oriented and cozy...it feels Southern and welcoming. For what I've come to expect of Lexington eateries and the variety in this town, Coles is currently top in my book, especially for dates or special occasions.

    (5)
  • Jason W.

    Coles is the best restaurant in Lexington, period. Another amazing dinner last night. I tend to avoid wedge salads because they're often served in this unwieldy, giant cut, but the blue cheese wedge was chopped to a manageable (though still sizable) dish with a sharp, delicious dressing. Loved every bite. My wife had the grilled caesar and loved that the grilling deepened the flavor of the greens, but wasn't so long that it added a smoky flavor to the lettuce that she and I have seen sometimes and both dislike. I rarely get steak at Lexington restaurants because I'm so often disappointed and would simply rather prepare it myself, but I knew the selection and preparation would be excellent in Chef Arimes's kitchen and it didn't disappoint. An excellent cut of meat, succulent and tender at a perfect medium-rare. Eschewed the grits that came with the dish (never been a big fan) and got the mashed potatoes that were buttery and smooth. Finished the meal with a creamy, satisfying slice of key lime pie. I always leave here with that warm, satisfied feeling of having enjoyed a beautifully executed meal.

    (5)
  • Hánnah M.

    This is hands down our favorite restaurant in Lexington. Elegant romantic ambiance, fabulous service. The food is consistently amazing. You can't find a better steak anywhere. The house salad (seasonal) with avocados, citrus, cranberries, is perfect. Nice wine selection. Ordered the NY strip last time with delicious grit cakes. The mac and cheese is out of this world. Golden beet risotto was savory and satisfying. Never disappointed here :)

    (5)
  • Robyn H.

    From the moment we walked in to be seated until we paid our bill and walked out everything was perfect! Great date night restaurant!! I ordered the halibut special- great choice and my husband ordered filet mignon. We were very happy with our meal. Will certainly make this a fav place and will return soon. Staff was great but food was amazing!!

    (5)
  • Kate E.

    One of the best restaurants in Lexington by far! Knowledgeable service who are even great help with wine parings. The Brussels sprout salad is an unexpected take but an absolute must! I loves everything I ordered and will be back soon!

    (5)
  • Benjamin P.

    The Pastrami ribs were off the hook! Never had anything like this before, but our server convinced me to consider these in lieu of the lamb. Ms. Diane is a rockstar! You'd do well to ask to be seated in her section. She's a delight and certainly knows her stuff. Didn't like my olives warm (cheese tray), but the fried tuna avacado was tasty. Cheers!

    (5)
  • Michael C.

    Decent restaurant but very pricey catering to a certain clientle. I have been 3 times and the food was okay but not very filling.

    (3)
  • Kate D.

    This place is fantastic. Classy french country chic, with fabulous wait staff and scrumptious new American, top-quality ingredients, cuisine. Highly recommended by this Yelper. Also an eclectic and interesting wine selection. Ask for Brian, he's great. Also, we're from Boston and decently travelled and were impressed.

    (5)
  • Richard H.

    We've been to Coles 4 or 5 times now and it never disappoints! Especially love the Pablo avocado and the grilled Caesar salad. I would take a NY strip from Coles over anything from the "high end" steakhouses any day!

    (5)
  • Scott C.

    Best restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky, by 31 lengths. No visit to Lexington is complete without a meal here.

    (5)
  • James S.

    This place was fantastic. Service, atmosphere, staff, and food quality was A+++. Prices were high because it was Valentin's day, but worth every penny (or should I say, dollar). You get what you pay for here. I also like the fact that this place gets local ingredients from Kentucky whenever possible. An awesome experience.

    (5)
  • Fritz E.

    Great food in a lovely part of Lexington, KY. Chef / Owner Cole almost just hit the right notes on all dishes we ordered. The lobster bisque with sherry - lots of flavor, texture & no fear of sherry! Panko fried avocado with Big Eye Tuna - creamy & crunchy texture was great but it overwhelmed the tuna. Maybe if the tuna had been chilled more I would have gotten a better sense of the tuna. Cowboy, bone-in ribeye...GLAD we ordered this dish. We just could not finish it despite all efforts to eat thus lovely, well seasoned & marbled meat. The asparagus was well cooked. The mushrooms side dish were fine. The potato croquet was a bit dense. Waiter was friendly & spot on with his Willett 10 yr Bourbon recommendation. We ordered a Yangara Aussie Cab for $40. Well priced & sandwiched between $140 & $200+ bottle options. No room for dessert but I'm grateful I saved some Bourbon to finish this meal. Beautifully decorated location. Chef very active on the floor & greeting regulars.

    (4)
  • Patrick M.

    The place really threw me for a loop. I was expecting less from the food and service. The food was really good and our server was very personable and professional. Which we see few of in Lexington. Menu selections were nicely varied. Beer selection good. Now what I didn't like: The place looks like a tea room. Very feminine. So much so that it was odd. Periwinkle everywhere. I even suggested that my 70 year old mother take her ladies lunch outing there.

    (4)
  • Josh M.

    One of my top picks in Lexington as of now. Specials always something to listen too. Big Eye Tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes might be short list of fav meal of all time. But any seafood choice here is a good one! My seat of choice in the bar

    (5)
  • Melanie M.

    We enjoyed the first class experience from the staff. The duck and the salmon are very good along with the pork belly appetizer yummy

    (5)
  • Harold T.

    I have been to Coles many times and each time I go, I am not disappointed at all. The service is the best in town and the food is outstanding. Friday the kitchen was slow, but the place was packed. It was a new menu for me and I tried the Smoked Beef Belly and it was unbelievable. So tender and not too much fat. I definitely recommend this place was a great meal.

    (4)
  • Chris C.

    I went to this place after being recommended to it several times through friends and acquaintances. Allow me to be wordy here, because I had a very mixed experience. First of all, I arrived and sat at my party of 6 in timely fashion, and the lady took our drink orders. The room was very loud (as it's not much larger than our dining room at home) and was packed which I would think is typical for a successful restaurant on a Friday evening. The decor is confusing. It's like 5 different people decided to decordate small portions of the restaurant, and came out with hideous results. There's art deco crown molding, homey-style fireplace, elizabethan murals, industrial lights and shabby-chic pillows and throws, and cheesy home depot style bathroom signs. While I'm not an interior decorator, I definitely do know how I feel about a room's decor. This just isn't well done. But who cares, at the end of it all right? We six shared fried avocado and mussels appetizers, both of which were outstanding. Then they took our order (after we ate our appetizers). It was extremely difficult for my wife to figure out how to order a vegetarian meal, since they don't feature one on the menu. She finally did, but didn't really know what she ordered. I got the Duck. The service was confusing. They didn't seem to know exactly when to take our orders, and were thrown for a loop that there were actually six of us there, rather than just two. Whoa! Finally after a lengthy ordering process, we felt as though we had probably ordered what we wanted, though it was tough to tell because our waitress (who was very nice) could barely hear anyone because of the roaring cacophony of noise in the dining room. Maybe they should have put in some sound panels or something? After literally one hour and fifteen minutes (and two more drinks - what else were we supposed to do?) our group's first entree came out. Ten minutes later, our last entree came out, which was subsequently prepared wrong and included an item that was specifically asked to be left off of the plate. They took it back and fixed it, but by the time she got her meal back, we were nearly done. My duck was tasty, but the sweet potato hash was cold and bland, and the asparagus was also cold and obnoxiously over-sweet with no redeeming flavor whatsoever. My wife was given a sad array of sweet potato hash and droopy over-cooked brussel sprouts as her 'vegetarian' dish. Four of the six of our party had food that was served cold, and we waited longer than I've ever waited at a restaurant in lexington from order time until time the food was delivered. We were all disgruntled and had already given Coles nearly three hours of our time (luckily we all like each other and were pretty lubed up on alcohol because of the wait) so we passed on desert, but left with a somewhat bad taste in our mouth - and not because of the food. All-in-all, I would say with the proliferation of new locally-owned restaurants in Lexington, this will be my first and only visit to this place. I appreciate that there are 'off' nights for restaurants, as there are in any profession, but this just was not a good enough meal - in fact, not really all that good at all - to make the things that this place doesn't do well be overshadowed by the good. Try it out and maybe you'll like it. There are six of us who really didn't care much for this place at all.

    (2)
  • Sara B.

    Here's my review. I've been waiting to go to Coles since they opened at the former location of Furlongs, such was the hype. I waited my Father to visit me from out of town and chose the place to take him for a nice dinner. The place has a very cozy atmosphere, very homey and nice. Much more than I expected - the kind of place we feel very comfortable at. I especially liked the sofas and the different pillows. Our appetizers: I ordered a brie cheese that came with toast, it was wrapped in filo. I scraped out the filo and ate just that since the taste of the cheese wasn't good and it was just too bland, I think the first time I ever left a brie cheese almost intact. Maybe the brand, but something wasn't right about the cheese. It wasn't spoiled, it just tasted bad. My father ordered a Grilled caesar salad that was just OK, nothing special about it, which I think it's good after all (not having anything special on it). My drink - a watermelon vodka (forgot the exact name) was also very bland, as if someone threw watermelon juice with vodka and ice on a glass and called it a special drink. Then I decided on the Pom Martini, way better. Our entrees: they had two NY strips. The regular one on the menu (32 dollars) and a "special" of the day one (46 dollars on the check besides having been informed by the waiter it was 40 dollars). The only difference between the regular NY strip and the "Special" was a piece of unattached (almost meatless) bone that came with the special one. We ordered medium rare, my Father was ok and mine was close to raw. Thy both tasted good, nothing extraordinary. The waiter told me that my special steak would be the most tasteful I would have experienced to date....NOT. Our side items: the mushroom risotto that my Father ordered with his steak was really bad. Unsalted and too well done, as in left to be cooked much more than it was supposed to. He had to season it himself and in the end, just left it since it didn't resemble anything like a risotto, neither in appearance nor in taste. My side item was a simple mashed potato that tasted good. This dinner cost us 158 dollars. COLES has everything to be a good restaurant, but until they match the prices with the quality of food, I will never be back. A nice atmosphere, nice waiting staff, etc do not make a restaurant, the food does. It was a big disappointment for the price. We can eat much much better in other downtown restaurants, and I hope this review serves to help them improve. Thank you.

    (2)
  • Chris H.

    Normally, I don't give 5 stars. Quite frankly, as a self-professed foodie, I'm not normally this impressed! Coles isn't necessarily the epitomy of posh, or of hip, or even of...well, anything that would earn 5 stars. What it is, is a perfect balance of everything I look for in a great meal. The menu is creative, fresh, and well-executed. I highly recommend the Panko-fried avocado stuffed with blue crab meat. The wine list is a good blend of approachable "pedestrian" selections and well-chosen boutique style small production choices. I started with a Maker's Mark on the rocks, and it was fairly priced--relatively speaking. I sat at the bar, entering 30 minutes before closing on a Saturday night--yes, I was "that guy". Both the bartenders, the hostess and even the chef-owner could NOT have been more accomodating and just down right friendly. So often in places like this, the staff can be somewhat arrogant or flippant (especially if you're "that guy"). Here, they take their food seriously, their beverages seriously, and their hospitality seriously--they do not however take themselves too seriously! Nice to find a great place that I can add to my list of "neighborhood joints" and to my list for special occasions! Thanks Cole! Keep up the great work!

    (5)
  • Olivia W.

    I went here for a birthday dinner and it was amazing. We had the sashimi for an app. and it was delicious. I had the petit filet, rare, and it was cooked perfectly. Dare I say the best steak I have ever had (and that if from a Texas' chick)... I enjoyed the beet and goat cheese salad on the side. Both, side and entree, were giving me flavogasms. The drinks were indescribable, the best mix drinks I have ever had. My date asked the server to surprise him and she brought the shrimp and grits, he isn't a fan of grits but now he is. The shrimp were fresh, like they came right from the ocean. The best part of the whole meal was the desert... hot, gooey, oozing chocolate, chocolate chip cookies with Graeter's black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream. Best meal I have had in Lexington!

    (5)
  • Jason E.

    I had a party of 11 for a surprise birthday party and Stephanie, the General Manager, assisted me in coordinating everyone in advance to make for a great night. Lexington has some pretty nice restaurants however Cole's makes the difference between good and great. The entire staff is always on point to provide the highest level of service in a relaxed atmosphere and the food cannot be matched. No matter what the occasion, I can always count on Cole's delivering a memorable experience.

    (5)
  • Bob E.

    Thanks for the wonderful help with celebrating a birthday at your beautiful restaurant ten days ago. Everyone in our party of twelve was very pleased with his food and the service was excellent. I especially love the fried or dirty rice pilaf with almonds and the whole wheat rolls with real butter. The waitress was very helpful with substitutions as well. The tuna and steak are perfect! You all could not have been more accommodating to make it a special evening for all of us.

    (5)
  • Damien M.

    Qualifier numero uno: is this the neighborhood restaurant I have waiting so long for? Is this the cozy, nearby, inviting, welcoming, thoughtful, well-run, and well executed establishment I can hop over to on a whim for a light meal, or take my love for a special evening out, recommend without hesitation to foodies and regulars alike, or stop in for a glass of wine or a pint? Qualifier número dos: we read the menu. We oohed and ahhed over the menu. We discussed the menu. We reviewed the menu. We contemplated the menu. We talked the menu over with the waiter. It was a spontaneous event and we were not full on hungry so we ordered the following bits: vegetable tempura (good), grit/polenta and cheese fries (better than good and unusual), goat cheese and beet salad (bravo!), chopped salad (meh). The menu is rather astounding and intriguing, with influences and flavors from Japan to Morocco, and many in between. They have wine on tap (as well as by the bottle), they have beer on tap, and the bar is still cozy as in previous iterations of the space. The patio beckons. The overall decor is French Country, as it was explained by my lovely date. Much to look forward to.

    (4)
  • John R.

    My sister&bro-in-law called me to see if I want to join them for dinner here. We had not been to this physical building since it Furlongs. It was a Friday night and since we didn't call ahead for reservations, we had our choice of outside patio or sitting at the bar. Since it was a nice day, we picked outside. It was only 6:30pm so the insides was empty but it filled up by 7-7:30pm. I wasn't inside much but the decor looked very nice but the tables in the middle did look a little tight especially if your back was to one of the "isles". The bar looked fantastic but I think it only had room for 4 or 6? We started with the tuna ceviche. It was very nice, but unlike others I've had. First, the small cubes of tuna were smaller than other ceviches I've had (or made). I'm sure with smaller cubes of fish, the ceviche "cooks" faster. Second, there was no cilantro in it. Maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I like cilantro in my ceviche. And there was broccolini it. It might have been blanched before adding it. We liked it, we'd get it again, I'd like a little more "zing" either from cilantro or more chili pepper. My sister got the Amish Chicken. Large portion. She seemed happy. I didn't get a chance to taste it. Bro-in-law got the shrimp & grits. Again, we didn't so much sharing so I can't say. Both had nice presentations. We get a side-order of the Lemon Shallot Brussel Sprouts. They were VERY tasty. The lemon flavor reminded me of the lemon sauce you'd have over stuffed grape leaves. I had a tuna special. Seared with some wasabi mashed and sauteed veggies. I had asked for the tuna to be cooked as rare as possible (as I like to say "knock the chill off of it"). It came exactly as I like it. There were about 6 nice size pieces. The mashed could have used more wasabi as I could barely taste it. I do like hot&spicy food so take my comments with a grain of salt. My only complaint about the tuna special was that the server didn't mention the prices during her description. I'm sure they are trained NOT to do that. It does add an air of sophistication by not focusing on the money, but the food. Of course, I didn't ask since. I saw the price range on the printed menu with entrees averaging in the mid-$20. I was a touch shocked to see that my tuna special was $32. That's the same price as their NY Strip (which I also think is overpriced at $32). So at $26/$28, I really loved my entree and would get it again. At $32, maybe not so much. For dessert, bro-in-law and I shared the bourbon (Woodford Reserve) ball chocolate torte. Nice flavor. As for drinks, had two nice Grey Goose Cosmos (@ $9.50 each!) and a nice Woodford Reserve to go along with my dessert. The patio was nice but you are on Main Street after all. Car noise, motorcycle noise, an ambulance or two, etc. you get the idea. The patio had several TVs (local news, ESPN, etc.) but none were overly loud. I don't think they need them. There were fans and heaters so they try to keep that patio open as often as possible (neither were being used for us). The only downside were flies. Lots of flies! I'm not asking for a "no pest strip" as a center piece or even a loud&ugly bug "zapper", but they could use some "MaxForce Fly Bait" off to the side of the patio out of the way. That might help cut down on the flies without being obvious about it.

    (5)
  • Mark L.

    Went there for a low-key anniversary dinner. The food was excellent (though we didn't like the fried avocado appetizer as much as everybody else seems to) and the staff was really nice. We had the salmon and pork belly entrees- highly recommend. I would give 5 stars, but they don't have an espresso machine, which meant no post-meal cappuccino (call me a snob, but I like to have one after a nice meal). And the coffee that was served was really bad- piping hot and comparable to fast-food quality. We ended up getting the coffee for free for some reason... but it still was a bad deal- they should pay customers to drink that stuff. Regardless, we'll definitely go back again- it's a nice place with great food.

    (4)
  • Jeff B.

    EXCELLENT! Had the seafood combo (clams, shrimp, mussels, shrimp over fettucini with crostini and a rich, buttery sauce). Wife had a butternut squash stew - not meaty enough for me but looked great. Fried avocado stuffed with crab was to die for. Ate on the patio. Service staff were very pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. Only been open 2 weeks so a timy bit of confusion over who gets what table. They ask for reservations but we walked right in, even on a Keeneland night. Good wine list. A tad pricey but you gotta celebrate sometimes! Just really enjoyed it.

    (4)
  • Adrianne N.

    Loved the food, modern and fresh with some awesome updates. Fried avocado with crab and aioli was delicious ! Great staff handled everything nicely, bar staff exceptional.

    (4)
  • Woodson H.

    Great food, inconsistent service and consistency of quality when fully slammed with business. The Short Ribs are the best ever.......but I have gotten 3 different quantities when I have ordered them 1 to 4 ribs. Service during peak weekend dinner times can retake 2+ hours. Inexperienced wait staff, slow bar, and lack of monitoring what leaves the kitchen is problematic and risks damaging what otherwise could be the best restaurant in Lexington. Creative dishes and good quality should be the rule. The Chef-Owner should either put up the money to ensure adequate and experienced wait staff and better and faster bar service or be prepared for failure. Lexington's dinner crowds have a short time limit for tolerating inconsistent and slow service.

    (4)
  • Hannah R.

    This place is amazing!!!!! Made a reservation and was seated right away. I recommend the fried avocado as an appetizer and the beef shoulder. Service was great. Waiter was very attentive. I also loves sitting out on the patio. Great ambiance.

    (5)
  • Christian F.

    Best meal we had in a very long time. This is a very good restaurant with high ambitions that are reflected in the prices. The menu is interesting and our main courses were all excellent. In particular, the grilled salmon with tropical salsa and fennel was fantastic. The only disappointment was the dessert. We had two creme brulees and they were both too black giving a burnt aftertaste.

    (4)
  • Sharlie W.

    Without a doubt in my top 5 restaurants in town. Service is always wonderful with a very informed and informative staff

    (5)
  • Tracy C.

    Love the tuna & every salad I've tried so far. My husband raves about the NY strip, says it's the best in town!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Intimate
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Coles 735 Main

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