Help with a Meeting-halfway Dinner

Okay, I need help and you guys are my only hope! My mom recently moved to Richmond, KY. My husband and I want to meet her for Mother's Day dinner (except on Saturday night) somewhere in between here and there.

I was considering Holly Hill Inn in Midway, but after looking at the last Eat N'Blog about it, it's a wee bit out of my price range, I think.

Anybody know of a nice place in, say, Frankfort or somewhere thereabouts . . . entrees in around $15 - $20 range? The folks are not terribly adventurous in their eating (which is weird, because I am, but that's a whole-nuther-story).

If you switched from Frankfort to Lexington you would have a lot more good and interesting options in your price range. I think we have a fairly informative thread on where to eat in Lexington.

yeah, since this thread isn't exactly racking up the responses, Lexington might be the way to go. I'll search around the site.

I heartily recommend Rossi's in Lexington.

http://www.rossis-restaurant.com/

Serafini (in Frankfort) has been suggested in another thread:

http://cityguide.courier-journal.com/fe ... ssid=46842

I have not been too impressed with any of Lexington's restaurants in the price range you mentioned. All of the better quality places I've eaten at have been kind of pricey.

One place you might consider is Kessler's 1891 in downtown Versailles. The price is in the range you mentioned. They're best known for their fried chicken which I thought was very good (written up in Southern Living at some point). I believe they have steaks as well. Not sure if there is a website, but they might be worth checking out. I would feel comfortable taking my parents there.

I have not been too impressed with any of Lexington's restaurants in the price range you mentioned.

which ones are those?

I have not been too impressed with any of Lexington's restaurants in the price range you mentioned.

which ones are those?

Some that come to mind are Desha's, Nadines, Buddy's, Regatta, Columbia Steakhouse, & Miyako. None of these are necessarily bad restaurants, but after a couple of experiences at most of them I haven't really felt compelled to go back.

Some of the places I like in Lexington include Ramsey's, Atomic Cafe, Cheapside, Mellow Mushroom, & Tachibana. But none of these fit the requirements of either price or a good place for Mother's Day dinner. Lexington has several higher end restaurants that are pretty good, but most places in a mid-price range there seems to be a chain.

Where do you like that has entrees in the $15-20 range?

Bella Notte is a pretty good Italian restaurant in Lexington, and it's in your price range. I tried to check to see if it is a chain, and I don't believe it is. Here's the link:

http://www.bellalexington.com/index.php

As I mentioned earlier try Rossi's.

Rossi’s entrees in the $15-20 range:
Eggplant, Chicken or Veal Parmesan
Grouper or Chicken Piccata
Veal Scallopine
Blackened Prime Beef and Gnocchi
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Linguine with Clams
Basil Pesto Rotini (may add chicken or shrimp and stay with budget)
Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasts

Given what you're looking for, I second the suggestion of Ramsey's Diner: comfort good, done well, and great pies.

Thanks for all the suggestions . . . Rossi's looks interesting, and I keep hearing Ramsey's, too (which always throws me because it makes me think of Ramsi's here, which is totally not the same thing!). I have to say, though, that unfortunately, I am considering Bonefish Grill. I know it's a chain, but sometimes I think the 'rents actually prefer that.

This book may have good ideas for consideration: Eating Your Way Across Kentucky: 101 Must Places to Eat

Judging from how well it does at book fairs, it's very popular.

[Robin Garr]

Judging from how well it does at book fairs, it's very popular.

I don't mean to pick on you, Steve, but as a clarification, have you actually read and used this book, or just seen it for sale? Books of this type can vary so widely in quality, I'd feel more comfortable about recommending a $20 purchase if you've read the book and can testify.

at least it's not written by a certain former C-J critic.