First Look

A First Look at Cafe Patachou

By: Erin Oliver

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Today, Indianapolis is sharing their coveted and award-winning Cafe Patachou with Lexington, Kentucky, as they open their first location outside of Indiana. The city’s newest daytime cafe is nestled within The Summit at Fritz Farm—a collection of premiere shops and chef-inspired restaurants to which Patachou is perfectly suited. Most notably, Patachou and Lexington share a core value: community means everything. So, aside from the approachable and creative menu, Patachou’s newest location is already right at home.

This Won’t Stop Hospitality Group has a long history of elevated service and caring for their neighbors. Martha Hoover, a six-time James Beard semifinalist and recognized restaurateur, founded the group in 1989, and has pursued partnerships with local vendors and farmers long before “farm-to-table” was a household phrase. Increased food quality, transparency, and positive community impact embody the group’s three concepts—Petite Chou Bistro, Napolese Pizzeria, and Cafe Patachou. Hoover’s strong values have provided children and school systems in Indianapolis better access to nourishing food, from which her multiple foundations have provided over one million from-scratch meals.

Patachou’s Lexington location is designed for this shared connection: to sit, sip, and stay awhile, where refilling your cup of coffee could turn into chatting with an old friend. “This is not an ordinary restaurant,” general manager Chris Ervin stated. “It’s about community. It truly feels like a family.”

Despite its Indiana roots, Cafe Patachou Lexington is entirely its own. Its calming and warm interior is adorned with locally sourced bluegrass-themed antiques, from a framed horse bridle to trophied bottles of Blanton’s Bourbon. This location even offers a unique-to-Kentucky cocktail called Sparkling Gold Rush, which features Town Branch bourbon. Country Boy Super Premium Lager and Lexington Brewing Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale are also available. And with the Keeneland horseracing track just 15 minutes off of New Circle Road, the spot is predicted to be the perfect pre-meet fuel come springtime.

The menu is curated for every kind of eater, kids included. Guests can indulge in the croissant french toast topped with pecans and powdered sugar or a white cheddar cheeseburger with dijonnaise on a brioche bun. The lighter options are just as noteworthy; the vegan crepe is stuffed with hummus, pesto, and crunchy veggies, and the ricotta scrambled eggs hold mushrooms and parmesan, with a red pepper and chili oil kick (not to mention the plethora of gluten-friendly options).

Guests should try one of the carefully crafted French omelettes. Take The McKenzie—eggs stuffed with pork sausage, goat cheese, caramelized onions, and chimichurri—or a meat-free option like The California Dreamer, packed with avocado, white cheddar, sour cream, and jalapeños.

Beyond breakfast and handhelds are hearty bowls with homemade dressings. The shaved brussels sprout salad with dried cherries, cotija cheese, and almonds is the kind of salad worth eating with a spoon. And just in time for the cool Kentucky weather, guests are welcomed to warm up with a waffled grilled cheese and cup of steamy tomato artichoke soup—a Patachou menu item that’s remained since day one.

Longtime Patachou fans will be pleased they can order staples like the signature cinnamon toast and Patawich breakfast sandwiches. Visitors are tempted to take home brown butter chocolate chip cookies, Patachou signature granola, and more classic offerings from their in-house bakery.

Lexingtonians will fall in love with this new go-to brunch and lunch spot, not just for its tasty food you can feel good about, but for the shared spirit of community pride, unity, and good company.