The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Local Lexington Food! (home, price)

[Abiggerbang]

On my only visit to check out Oliva Bella EVOO's, I felt what they were doing was a bit of style-over-substance, if not a little too fru-fru for my liking.
Being a long-time Balducci's/Zabbar's/Fairway shopper in NYC, I think the only place in Lexington to buy specialty foods, fresh-baked breads, and deli under one roof is either the Harrodsburg Rd. or the newer Hamburg Liquor Barn.
On one visit in February, I purchased (among other things) 6 different litres of EVOO ('05 and '06 harvest btw), all well under the almost $50 per litre Oliva Bella commands.
A Tuscan, an Umbrian, a Ligurian, a Provence, a Californian and an Aussie from their vast selection of over 50 different extra-virgin olive oils.
Sure, they have a handful of "supermarket" EVOO to make the average user comfortable, but the vast majority are world-class small producers who produce far less than Oliva Bella's "family stash" (as claimed on their web site).
As for the cheeses at Oliva Bella, Lexington finds them all at The Liquor Barn at the right price. (AND selected, aged, cut and wrapped under the watchful eye of the premiere cheesemonger in The Commonwealth).
For the life of me, I don't know why one would shop anywhere else!

[lexingtony]

I'd love to find a local restaurant to get a great, tasty gyro! The best I've ever had came from a small dive in Chicago (Greektown Gyros), but I'm not expecting to find anything that authentic. Anyone have any suggestions for good gyros in Lexington?

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by lexingtony

I'd love to find a local restaurant to get a great, tasty gyro! The best I've ever had came from a small dive in Chicago (Greektown Gyros), but I'm not expecting to find anything that authentic. Anyone have any suggestions for good gyros in Lexington?

I tried the gyros at the Mid-Eastern joint on Richmond road, by the Verizon store. It was lousy.

[nlschr0]

Have you tried Instanbul Palace? It is Turkish/Lebanese. I personally haven't been there before, but I've heard good things about their gyros from others:
http://www.istanbulpalace.net/

Supposedly they actually slow-cook the meat on a spit, not flat grill it like some of the so-called gyros places do.

ETA - Another place I haven't tried is that Coney Island mom-and-pop on Lane Allen, but I know they were featuring gyros in their window ads a little while ago. They seem like more of a general fast-foodish greasy spoon, so who knows?

[lexingtony]

Originally Posted by nlschr0

Have you tried Instanbul Palace? It is Turkish/Lebanese. I personally haven't been there before, but I've heard good things about their gyros from others:
istanbulpalace.net

Supposedly they actually slow-cook the meat on a spit, not flat grill it like some of the so-called gyros places do.

Is that the place over on Waller Avenue, across from St. Joe? If so, I have heard about it, but haven't eaten there...mainly, because I couldn't find anyone who had eaten there previously. I did stop in to pick up a menu and wasn't all that impressed with the looks of the place, but if the gyros are good, then I'm willing to overlook that. Thanks for the tip, nlschr...I guess I'm going to have to try it for myself!

[nlschr0]

Yep - that is it. I haven't been there myself, so update us if you go!

[Irishtom29]

OK, I went to the Istanbul Palace today and picked up a couple of gyros.

Not bad. The guy has his own take on the seasoning which while not traditional was good. But not the most generous with the meat and the meat wasn't well done and crusty the way I prefer.

But not bad, I'll try it again.

[lexingtony]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

OK, I went to the Istanbul Palace today and picked up a couple of gyros.

Not bad. The guy has his own take on the seasoning which while not traditional eas good. But not the most generous with the meat and the meat wasn't well done and crusty the way I prefer.

But not bad, I'll try it again.

Thanks for the review, Tom! Now I'll have to try it out for myself!

[nlschr0]

Wow Tom you move fast!

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by nlschr0

Wow Tom you move fast!

Somebody in this town has to.