Middle Fork Kitchen Bar

Excellent food and service. Ever changing menu and plenty of drink choices from the great bar.

I’ve been wanting to eat here since it opened! Two companions and I did so last night. My ratings are:
4 – 5 stars — ambiance and décor –what a beautiful interior. The fact that there is a huge roaring fire inside the restaurant did make it unseasonably warm on an unusually hot evening in March, but we could live with it. Chilled bottles of water for each table are charming. Not so charming that wait staff looked irritated when we requested a second bottle.
3 – 4 stars — food — it was probably even better, but the service was so awful (see below) that I would not go again soon.
1 star — reservation and arrival process — I made a reservation in person a week before. The day of the reservation, I had a call from the restaurant asking me to call back and confirm. I was annoyed (after all, I’m not trying to eat in a New York restaurant) but called back and confirmed. As a new relatively new restaurant, I figured they wanted to make sure I was coming. One companion and I arrived on time at the restaurant. We will be a party of 3. The hostesses (neither of whom seemed to have a pulse, much less a welcoming demeanor) take us to what seems to be a 6-​top about four feet from the hostess stand. We are 3 people eating. We want to see each other and visit, not sit side-​by-​side and face the wall as the hostess suggests. There is bench seating for 3 (?) plus 3 high backed tall bar stools at our table. The 3^rd companion arrives at the hostess stand. He tells us that he asked the hostess for (insert my name). He is told there is no reservation in this name. We just sat down 3 minutes earlier and can see the whole process.
0 stars — our server Davin — I provide his name so that the owner and/​or manager can address this with him. If I were the owner/​manager I would want to know. As a concept restaurant, some menu guidance would have been helpful. We were told nothing about the menu except that it is brought to the table as it’s prepared so be forewarned. We ordered a bottle of white wine. It came and was delicious. For $ 43 a bottle, in a very hot restaurant, could you not provide a means of keeping it cool at our table? We ordered 4 small plates, and two of the specials. No guidance provided by server, as already stated, but he did ask if we’d eaten here before, which none of us had. Why ask the question if you can only tell us the food comes out as its prepared?! Davin checked with us every 2 of our 90 minutes there to see if he could remove plates – not to see if we liked the food, mind you, but to remove plates. The narrow design of the tables made it challenging to arrange the dishes, but we were managing. Was there a shortage of plates last night? Given the narrow table design, perhaps the food should be served on rectangular plates. The constant checking to see if dishes could be removed was extremely annoying. But not as annoying as when I asked for dessert only to be told we had to be finished in 20 minutes. Hadn’t our hostess told us we had to be out by 9 p.m., he asked? I asked for the check. Server then asked, don’t you want dessert? Unequivocally not was our table’s decision. After asking for the check, the server returned twice to the table to make sure I didn’t want dessert.
I’ve served tables, as has one of our table’s diners. For this reason alone, I am usually very accommodating because I know how challenging serving food can be. But I have never experienced such an inept and poorly trained wait person. Of course restaurants need to get diners in and out at certain times to make sure your reservations are accommodated. But you NEVER tell your guests this! This is for the wait staff and hostess to manage without your knowing they are doing it!
All in all, my experience here reminds me how important it is to have excellent front of house staff who are courteous, knowledgable and helpful. The food may be brilliant, but with many options for a pleasant dining experience in Lexington, Middle Fork needs to up its game if it wants to succeed.

I HATE HATE HATE the chairs here. Most of the chairs are tall bar stool style chairs. I am a short person and my feet don’t hit the wrung right. The seat actually hits my thighs in a weird place and makes them go to sleep.
We started off by ordering the ethereal draft beer. It was a peppercorn saison and totally delicious. Then we ordered a couple small plates. The husband loves tartar so we ordered their version of it. It was tasty. The meat was tender. I liked the spicy mustard that came with it and wished there were more.
Next we ordered the Japanese veggie pancake. With this thing, I was not impressed. It had a fishy flavor that I had no idea where it came from. The husband thinks it could have been fish sauce, but I think there was dried fish flakes on it. Either way, I did not care for it.
Next up was the lamb. It was cooked beautifully. It lacked what I would call a sauce. There was some chunky red pepper deal on the plate, but it wasn’t what I would call a sauce. However, everything on the plate was good.
Overall, I liked the place ok. I wouldn’t want to go on a busy weekend. The food was good and nothing was particularly wrong, but it wasn’t memorable either. I will probably come back here when some friends come to town and wants to try new places, but this isn’t one of my top choices to visit frequently.

We’ve eaten here for the comfortably late breakfast and had a great experience both times. The PB&J was outstanding, and we had the savory pancake and rosti potatoes. All perfectly flavored and uniquely prepared and presented. The atmosphere is so unique and well thought out with the open kitchen. The service has been perfect for both visits. We had the French press and mimosas which were also very good. We are vegans so having all of these delicious options was amazing! We can’t wait to go back!

The food and atmosphere deserve a 4 – 5 star rating however the initial seating is very problematic and needs to be sorted out. First to the good parts
We ordered the Hog n Oats and it was excellent. We were excited to see goetta on a menu in Lexington and it did not disappoint. The toasted bread was very good and unique. The atmosphere is very nice with an open view of the ovens. It is small and a little crowded and seating is limited. Also, one of 4 places in Lexington that I know of who actually have Calvados.
The biggest issue with this place is its hostess staff and seating procedures. They seem to work off of reservations only but we have walked in twice to very confusing interactions both times. Initially told we could sit at the bar which the hostess pointed toward two empty seats. We go sit down and then she tells us these seats are reserved. The next time we were told we could sit at the bar but couldn’t stand at the bar because it disrupted the walk way for the waitresses. She showed me what she was talking about by pointing at no less than five people obstructing the walkway. Which was kind of funny. She explained that they were waiting on a table. Which is what we were gonna do! Lol! So we made a reservation for an hour later and they seated us after we waited next door at ethereal. The biggest problem with all this was that both times there were numerous seats open with no one in them. They need to revamp there reservation system or just say they do reservations only. However, walk in only with a wait would be best that way there would be no open tables. Walk in and waiting next door at ethereal would be good if they would implement the texting notification. The hostess said she came over looking for us but couldn’t find us.
A must try but will require a coordinated effort to get in. Plan accordingly. We will try it again as there were several menu items that peaked our interest!

My husband and I found this place after reading an online article about locally owned and locally food sourced restaurants in Lexington. MFKB’s menu is farm to table, so changes with the seasons.
All menu options are prepared to share. The menu starts with the smaller plates and portions increase as you go further. Food is brought out as it’s done. This is a very fun way to dine out and there was continually something new at the table to try.
The wait staff is very friendly and helpful with explaining the menu and the interior décor is cozy even though there’s a bit of an industrial look overall. We were seated at a high table near a window and our waitress immediately brought us two water glasses and a full bottle of tap water. I love that at a restaurant so you don’t have to keep asking for more water.
We started with beer and wine. My husband ordered a local draft beer from West Sixth Brewery and I had a California Pinot Noir. Both were very good. Draft beer changes regularly and the menu lets you know what’s coming next.
Our first food item was a Miso soup with ramen noodles and mushrooms. It was excellent and not too salty which is frequently my complaint with soup at restaurants. At about the same time, we also had a cheese plate that included marinated vegetables and fruity sauces, also excellent. The cheese plate was served with a variety of toast.
We ordered two entrees, the Hog & Oats and a special for the evening, Wahoo (a fish entrée). The Hog & Oats was a delicious sausage topped with green tomato and tomato purée and a poached egg. This was all on cheese grits. Loved it all!
The Wahoo is a white fish that’s fairly meaty. It was grilled and flaky, not too dry. The fish was pared with squash that was like a pure and a citrus flavored risotto. Everything we tasted was absolutely delicious.
When we go back, we’ll most likely order one less item. By the time the fish was brought out, we were already very full so had to force ourselves to try all the fish entrée items!
The only down side to this place is that it’s a little hard to find. It’s in the back of some old industrial buildings that are being repurposed with a variety of businesses. Turn in for parking when you see the old water tower and you’ll find Middle Fork Kitchen Bar at the end of the lot.

Middle fork is amazing. We sat at the bar and started off with some cocktails from their mixed drink menu. The old fashion and rum cocktail (which name escapes me) where wonderful. We noshed on the terrine, cheese plate and okonomiyaki pancake — Absolutely a palate pleaser. We ended the night with the seasonal milk punch apéritif.
The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The service and conversation from the bar tender was lovely. I cannot wait to bring friends and dine here again.

I have been wanting to try middle fork since before it opened and just had the chance to. I’m impressed! The beer selection is excellent. Not really large, but the quality of the selection more than makes up for the size. The menu is a foodies dream, the high light for me was the PB&J. There was peanut butter, and there was jelly, but this is NOT a PB&J sandwich. It’s all the wonderful and delicious things from my childhood served in a bowl. Order it! Even if you’re allergic to peanuts, just go for it. You’ll die happy! We shared several other dishes, I don’t recall any off the top of my head but they were all excellent.
My second visit was just as good, if not better. The PB&J was just as good as I remembered, we tried a few other dishes including the duck, all excellent. I’ve had enough of the menu that I think it’s safe to say «just order anything,» it’s all great.

I’ve been here a couple of times, and I’m not really a huge fan of the place. It could just be that it’s not my kind of experience, but I don’t really know that I would go back unless someone REALLY REALLY wanted to go.
Their food is quite expensive. I know that this is a specialty restaurant and that it’s not your typical fare, but I’ve never felt I’ve gotten out of it what I’ve paid. Last time I had the lamb sausage. It was great and the accompanying salad was also tasty, but at ~$ 30 I just expected a bit more wow. To be honest, I’ve had some turkey sausages from the supermarket that might have rivaled it.
The overall ambiance of the places is a bit snooty and that’s just not really my scene. It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault, it’s just how it all comes off. Our hostess was super nice and moved us to a different table when our party became larger than expected, so their wait staff is helpful. Maybe it was just me.
The main thing that irked me was one of my party asked for an old fashioned with muddled fruit. The bartender walked over to say that isn’t how he makes it, and eventually said that if she wanted it that way he could do it. This sounds nice, but then he proceeded to tell her it was «like, the 1980’s way of making it» or something as if he needed to elevate himself above our plebian tastes and make sure everyone knew he was much classier than such a thing. Super weird.
Anyhow, if this is your sort of place I’m sure you love it, but it’s just not mine.

This was my first visit to this restaurant and right off the bat I discovered that, even with my smart phone providing directions, I held up traffic and nearly crashed attempting to find the parking lot after dark. Some signage would be very helpful.
The hostess was very friendly and made every attempt to make our party of seven comfortable, however, the seating really did not lend it self to large parties as our choices were a benched table that could squeeze in 8 and the new table they gave us with more room had a thinner table width.
I ordered an old fashion cocktail with very specific instructions which prompted the bartender (a bearded gentleman whose name I didn’t get) to visit the table and tell me that my request was not the usual way he made old fashions. I asked if he had the items I asked for and he said he did. And I asked him to make it as I asked. I felt like I insulted him because he told me my request was «from the 1980s.» My entire party of fellow Unilocalers were flabbergasted by his comment. And to add insult to injury. He made a less than satisfactory attempt to make my drink as I asked. (I told my server I wanted a lot of cherries and oranges muddled in my drink, there was one cherry and one orange) Next I asked for the «house» old fashion (because I wanted to try the drink that prompted correction and criticism from our bartender) it came with a slice of blood orange and that’s all I tasted, it was only slightly better than the halfa*sed attempt at my original request.
The menu was on the pricy side and I had the spätzle with pork schnitzel. It wasn’t amazing. It was ok. And a bit tough to cut with the butter knife provided. I asked for a better knife but they did not have one.
I would be interested in going back to try the PB and J and the Duck but I’m still a bit put off by the bartender Nazi for criticizing my drink request. I’ll try again anyway because I do enjoy duck.
Cheers!

This is another business opened up in the area off Manchester Street referred to as Pepper District. From what I have gathered, this place was a truck turned brick and mortar. The layout and atmosphere is really cool. The entire restaurant kind of centers around the open kitchen. It is very industrial and cool. Lots of concrete and duct work make it have a great feeling when you enter. They have limited out door seating here as well.
Their food options are really cool and modern. I think they are a form of farm to table. The wait staff was completely on point. Almost so attentive, it was on the verge of annoying. I was trying to read over the menu as I talked to my friends I had me there and every few seconds she was hovering over me and asking me what I wanted. JEEZE OH PETE! I want a minute to look over this menu is what I want.
The food itself once I ordered was a bit blah. It didn’t seem great, but didn’t seem bad. Kind of ho hum I would say. I don’t think I will be stopping in here again anytime soon unless someone I am with or meeting wishes to eat here and refuses other suggestions.
Thats just my 2 cents.

Lexington finally gets a real farm to table restaurant that delivers. The location in the popular revitalized Pepper Distillery is a perfect blend of modern meets shabby-​chic.
The menu — electric for some but a great mix of traditional dishes with a mod seen flare.
The cocktails — they’re all great. One of the few places in the city that can nail some of the harder cocktails to make.
Brunch — with the closing of Table 310 for lunch this has quickly become my favorite brunch spot in the city.
Tip — make a reservation no matter what time you want to go there.

One of the best meals in town. Middle Fork has an incredibly creative menu and kitchen. Just like the food truck that preceded it, you’ll find unusual combinations of food, but you won’t be disappointed. and a good value for large portions. Most entrees I’ve had, with a side or a salad added, are enough to feed two.
Service is not fast, but you’re waiting because they’re making everything fresh in the kitchen. Also, since they use fresh, local food, and the menu is always changing, it’s not uncommon for them to run out of a dish or two during the night. This doesn’t bother me (it’s a fair tradeoff for food that doesn’t come out of an industrial freezer), just come prepared to be flexible. My only complaint is that on our last visit, the server didn’t mention what they were out of (several items) when she recited the specials, and even when we ordered there was another item that turned out to be gone, but the server didn’t know. I don’t mind that they ran out, but it was irritating to have to select my food three times, when we could have been told up front what was missing.
But that won’t keep me from going back. And allow some extra time to hang out after dinner at Ethereal Brewery next door.

One of my favorite restaurants in Lexington! The quality of the locally sourced food and thoughtfulness in every dish makes it a treat every time I come. The menu changes with the seasons, but if you get the chance, try the pork belly. House made kimchi and pickled radish… gochujang and sticky rice– it brought me right back to when I lived in South Korea. I’ve also had the lamb twice now and it’s been some of the best I’ve tasted. I’ll admit, I even chewed on the bone a bit to get all that yummy flavor.
This place has a really cool yet comfortable vibe and is a great place for couples or groups. Small plates make it fun to share and you get to try a lot of different things.
The con? It’s hard to decide what to order with so many good options! Also, it’s on the expensive side, but I never feel like the food is overpriced for how great it is. I like to go there for special occasions, especially with friends who visit from out of town.

SERVICE GETS A 5. FOOD GETS A 2.
Oh Lexington, how I wish you had an excellent farm to table restaurant. Something we were all proud to bring our friends and family to.
Pros: environment, atmosphere, location. It’s newer and totally relaxing.
Cons: the food isn’t memorable. Bland in taste. Undercooked. Doesn’t make you want to come back OR continue eating it.
We may come back, but only for a glass of wine — their wine selection is a bit more interesting than other spots in town

Middle Fork Kitchen Bar is a food truck turned brick and mortar restaurant in the heart of the trendy Pepper Campus. I dined there back in October after my curiosity could not take it any longer. Raves: We started with the PB&J (fired-​grilled baguette, ginger peanut sauce, lime-​orange jam, chilis, cilantro, red onion pickles), which is the sole reason I’ll go back — I could not get enough. Absolutely delicious! For entrees I had the Hog n’ Oats (goetta (beef, pork, & oat sausage), grits, cheese, red tomato jam, confit of green tomatoes, soft poached egg), which was a perfect fall comfort food; my companion had the lamb (rib chop & boneless bacon-​wrapped leg, salt-​crusted red potatoes, pesto rosso), which he enjoyed and wished there’d been more of. Rants: For the price and environment they’re striving for, I would expect a more comfortable environment, but instead we were perched atop stools at high top tables, along with about half of our fellow patrons. Our dishes also came out at different times, forcing one plate to get cold while waiting for the other. Finally, they were out of so many beers it was hard to make a selection from the menu.
The low lighting, large windows, and small space created a warm environment, and it will be nice to have the option of outdoor seating in warmer weather. We will be back, not as a regular haunt, but when we are looking for something different.

This was my second visit to Middle Fork. I do not make it down to the distillery district as often as I should. I think it has something to do with the ridiculous parking lot and the patrons who cannot seem to park themselves without stripes on pavement. I digress…
I have really high hopes for an exceptional experience (and food) when Middle Fork is on the docket. This was the first visit since MFKB acquired a liquor license. I am all the better for it. The cocktails on the seasonal list are fantastic. I «sampled» a few of them. All were complex and balanced and every recommendation hit the attributes I was looking for. A big shout out to the bar staff for knowing their goods.
MFKB has a fantastic menu. The dishes and portions are not your typical portions, meaning one must either have a big appetite or bring a friend. For each of my visits, it was difficult to choose dinner as all the options were very appealing. I love the creative small plates, vegetables and starches. The highlight is of course the entrée. The theater of watching the staff man the big wood-​fired grill only makes the dishes that much more exciting.
I will say, that on a busy night, food service can be a little clumsy as entrees and apps can arrive within minutes. That is the only complaint I can manage.
Even before leaving I was planning my next trip and scheming on who I should show off one of the best spots in Lexington. Well done MFKB!

My girlfriend and I have been to Middle Fork two times for dinner.
The atmosphere is rad; very cozy, perfect lighting and an open kitchen is always fun. Service both times was fantastic; super relaxed, low key. We appreciated that they let you know what to expect from the get go; family style, food comes out staggered, etc. We could see how people might find the menu challenging (it lists the ingredients, but how they are prepared is not included — I personally find this exciting) I’m sure the servers would explain if asked, but we enjoyed seeing how things would come out of the kitchen. Having said that, all of the food was on point. Some really interesting dishes with some exceptional flavor combinations.
The cocktails were solid too!

When I heard that this place was going to open in one of my favorite parts of town, the Distillery District, I was immediately a fan. Because I visit the neighboring Ethereal Brewery often, I watched as Middle Fork slowly came together.
Thursday was my second time here. When we walked in, the hostess asked if we wanted to sit inside or outside. We decided to sit outside. After ordering our drinks, our waiter mentioned that all of the meat items cooked on the wood fired, open flamed oven, aren’t offered to the patio patrons. He explained that because the oven space is scarce, that they had to limit the number of seats they offer those items to. That makes perfect sense. I just thought that the hostess should’ve mentioned that when she sat us out there. It was a bit of an inconvenience to pack up our water chafe, glasses and menus and head inside. The waiter was great and had already explained the menu and the specials of the day, I hated that we had to leave his section, and head to a new waitresses area. My carnivorous husband wouldn’t have it any other way though.
I think that the bar tender was also a manager too. He was awesome, he came over and explained the drink menu to me and offered suggestions. I ordered a bourbon specialty drink that was priced well, at $ 10. My husband ordered draft beer that was priced on the menu differently than they were actually charged, no biggie, just something that I always notice.
I ordered the falafels and they were phenomenal. They came out before the main dish, topped with Tzatziki sauce. I’m not a huge fan of cream sauces, mainly because of the empty calories. The next time I order them, I’ll ask for the sauce on the side. I must add that these are the best falafels in Lexington. One time I went in search for Lexington’s best falafels, so I’ve had them all. I was delighted when I noticed Kathyn post a picture on Unilocal of MF’s falafels. I already knew one thing I was just to order before I got here.
For the main dish, we ordered a whole chicken to split. As I mentioned, the meats are grilled on the indoor, open flame oven. When you walk up to the restaurant, you can see the many stacks of wood and know you’re in for something special… as long as you dine inside ;) The chicken was great, and plenty enough for the both of us, especially after an appetizer.
The waitress was nice, but a little inexperienced to work at a five star restaurant. This place does have the makings of a five star restaurant. I’ll give them a bit more time to grow, I’m sure that I’ll be back.

Lexington’s New Sensation! Cozied away on Manchester st. The current Mocktail Menu is so creative featuring Marmalade Slides and Palomitos with a sprig of fresh thyme !! The sandwiches on the Lunch menu are Fabuloso! For example Abbey Ale Ky Lamb Burger on a Challah bin with Blue & Mozzarella melty goodness… pesto Rossi and fresh lettuce. If that doesn’t get your socks rolling sink your chops into some Brown Butter Cake for dessert topped with whipped cream.