In Lexington, KY, The Village Idiot is a typical pub that excels.
Well, I guess, this means it’s not as idiotic as it may seem? It doesn’t live up to the name?
In the article, father Tom describes the place as a pub you’d see in a little English town. This holds true. The wooden interior is a significant giveaway. Behind the bar sat a copious amount of bourbon bottles. The sunlight peering in accented everything beautifully. For a cool late-March morning, the two-story establishment felt cozy after walking the streets of Lexington while Katey was held up in the hippotherapy conference. She recommended the place.
The late morning crowd was sparse for a Saturday, so I was able to grab a seat at the bar. It was then the tall Alec set the bar high for hospitality. After welcoming me to The Village Idiot, he introduced himself and asked my name. We shook hands and the conversation flowed.
This seemed normal for him. Alec treated everyone who came and sat barside the same — introduction, name exchange, conversation. For a group of four guys, he wrote the names down as they said them and he repeated. It’s a great way to learn the names because he kept addressing his patrons by their name. In every interaction, he dropped a Chris in the mix.
The food options looked great and defined the whole gastropub designation — familiar offerings but kicked up a notch or two. Being my indecisive self, I asked Alec what he recommended.
Did you eat breakfast yet? he asked.
Noon had already passed. Aside from enjoying the coffee and an apple fritter from Magee’s Bakery — nope. After getting that up-and-at-’em first wind after dropping Katey off, I browsed through Kentucky pamphlets and decided to catch the first tour at the Mary Todd Lincoln House, which is totally worth a visit.
I took Alec’s suggestion of the country breakfast. The plate consisted of two locally sourced eggs, thick cut bacon and a piece of sausage, potatoes “breakfast style,” and a buttermilk biscuit covered in gravy. The hearty plate was $12.
The eggs, which were served as ordered (over easy). The bacon and sausage boasted much flavor. The biscuit and gravy weren’t heavy. The potatoes, slightly dry, were great after dipping pieces into the egg yolk. It was just enough food. I didn’t need to even bother with the ketchup.
Six golfball-sized fritters come with each $10 order, plus a side of spicy tomato jam. The lightly hand-breaded crispy-coated balls are piping hot in the center. The cheese is super flavorful and gooey. After biting into one of the fritters, it held up well. The crispy fried coating didn’t falter and cheese didn’t seep onto my hand.
The Village Idiot proved to be a smart dining option in Lexington. When we go back, we’ll definitely hit the place up again. Whether it’s for brunch, dinner, or a nightlife experience, there is a lot to enjoy about the pub. There are some menu items that pique my curiosity.