Lexington Social

Initially I did not think I was going to enjoy my experience here. I didn’t like any of it- the bright white paint, the small menu, the price, the music, the table placement, the service was slower than most restaurants - it all seemed to clash and not really vibe. But it was AMAZING! I felt like it all came together after the sun went down And our dinner experience started. EVERY. SINGLE. BITE. was delicious! The portions were great, we liked that we could see into the kitchen and watch the Chefs make the meals, we loved that the service wasn’t rushed and we enjoyed our meal at a nice pace, the music and lightning added to the ambience. As the sunset and our dinner began it all came together perfectly. We left all the food, but We thought it was just fantastic to have French press coffee with our desserts after dinner. It was definitely the cherry on top of our amazing dinner experience. The food and experience is well worth every penny and the food prices were reasonable for the portion size let alone the flavor!

Lovely place for a fancy date night! It's a cute building with a small, refined menu. Each dish was high quality and flavorful, and it was clear the chefs put a lot of thought into it. Friendly service too!

We drove an hour to come for an anniversary/birthday dinner and they did NOT disappoint. We first sat at the bar and Lauren, the bartender, was so extremely nice and knowledgeable and an amazing bartender. We had the oysters at the bar and they were so fresh and delicious. We sat at our table and had a great waiter who had great recommendations for everything. We had.. probably too much food but it was all worth it. One of the best things we ate was dessert which was the lemon cake and it was so light and airy and perfectly tart and citrusy. My husband's steak was cooked to perfection and my shrimp risotto was crispy and perfectly seasoned. No notes. The atmosphere was so warm and inviting as well. This is a definite gem in a small town off the beaten path. Highly recommend making the trip if you can! You can definitely get away with a meal under $100 too.. we just kinda went wild with it.

This place is absolutely amazing! I could not say enough to articulate how great this place is. I love that whether I want to dress up or come in more casual that I don’t ever feel out of place. Jon has created an atmosphere that combines and compliments all. All of the service is above and beyond. All of the staff want you to feel at home and have a wonderful experience. The staff is attentive and always focusing on the customers and doing all they can to offer the best experience. The bar is an absolute delight to sit at whether you are there to actually eat, just have drinks, or as a place to enjoy a cocktail before your table is ready. The drinks are absolutely amazing and marvelously curated. This past weekend I had the pleasure of enjoying their American Pie cocktail. It was a muddled cherry mixture from a local cherry tree with Elijah Craig, vanilla, and some other excellence, topped with a dirty cherry! I drank like 7 of these. The two mixologists behind the bar do an exceptional job and create such a welcoming space. The menu items!!!!! All I can say is they are all fire!! Jon does an absolutely amazing job of creating exquisite and delicious appetizers and entrees. I usually always start with oysters that taste like I am sitting at a restaurant on the water on the east coast. Paired with his delicious sourdough bread, that he makes in house. The bread is next level. Then I move on to the appetizers! lol I laugh because most the time I get one of everything. I was never much of a foodie but when I go here I get to be surprised in the best way by combinations of ingredients that I could not even think of putting together. The entrees, well, many times I just ask close my eyes and point because the entrees are all exceptional. The depth and richness of flavor always puts a satisfactory smile on my face, no matter what the universe chooses for me! ;) I had the sea bass this past weekend and it was buttery melting goodness. It was so tender and prepared and served so perfectly. Then! The. Desserts! All of the desserts are exceptional and my absolute favorite is the lemon cake. Homemade! The lemon taste like fresh squeezed lemon. The texture is firm and yet when you bite into it the cake melts in your mouth. It is a perfect level of sweetness. You can tell it is a dessert and that as a dessert the real beauty is not covered by sugar. Perhaps I am biased. lol I have been coming here for 4 years. It is like a home away from home for me. I cannot believe I have access to a dining experience like this as often as I do. The staff, the establishment, the food, and the drinks are all exceptional.

We've been there many times and never disappointed! They do have a limited menu but their oysters, as appetizers, are wonderful AND ( when they have it) the halibut is delectable! Also have fine wines and cocktails! And delicious desserts . Reservations recommended ! Have sat at bar as a walk in!

We went for our second dinner there last night, and are just amazed at how this restaurant exists in a small town 20 minutes from Bloomington. The quality of ingredients, the care taken with each dish, the complicated and surprising wine list, the amazing cocktails, and the friendly and knowledgeable staff and management are not something we expected to find outside of a major city. We will be back and attend more of their Sunday School wine tastings (which are so fun!). I recommend driving over from Bloomington, Peoria, Champaign, even Chicago. You will be happy you did so!

This is THE place! We went to celebrate our anniversary and had one of the best nights out in a while. Chef John was wonderful! We had the chef's tasting which was 3 courses. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it all was. The sorbet was one of the best I've had, and I don't normally like dessert! Very refreshing. Overall a wonderful evening. Thank you to all the friendly staff for taking great care of us.

First time customers are now devoted fans! Absolutely fantastic experience at Lexington Social. Everything was simply perfect...amazing drinks, delicious food, and excellent service. Highly recommend the old fashioned and queen palm for pre-dinner cocktails, the shrimp cocktail and marinated olives for starters, the ribeye and halibut for entrees, and the orange chiffon to finish. Superb! We will be back soon.

Such a Treasure. My wife and I chose Lexington Social as our 11th Anniversary destination. We targeted Bloomington and Lexington seemed a reasonable jaunt. The atmosphere is intentional and functional. We got a Maine coastal vibe. Staff is professional and understand the heart of Social. Flavors and portions were inspiring. We felt honored to share our special day with Lexington Social. Highly recommended. Worth a drive.

Last night my husband and I wanted a change from the B/N restaurants we frequent every Friday night so we made our way to Lexington Social. From the minute we walked in the door it was like a warm hug on a very cold night. We had never been here in the winter, it was a delightful and inviting atmosphere. There were people laughing, great music at a good volume, warm lighting, simple but well thought out decor, and a staff that moves through the restaurant like a well choreographed unpretentious dance. Our food and drinks were excellent! I had forgotten what food tastes like when you put thought, skill, and love into it. My tastebuds were dancing! Everything tasted fresh and inspired. Something that seems little, but makes a huge difference, everything was salted perfectly. Between my husband and myself we had both types of oysters on the menu, citrus salad (oh my gosh it was SO good), leek soup, marinated olives, salmon with a lovely soubise sauce, and beef tenderloin with fries. All top notch. I had an amazing cocktail ( Irish whiskey and a bunch of other yummy ingredients) and two NA dark and stormys, which were so flavorful. I must give extra credit for the NA drink selection. I often drink NA drinks at restaurants and I have found that these drinks, if there are any, never seem to have much thought put into them. That is not the case a Lexington Social, you can tell thought and effort was put into these drinks and I can tell you that this customer greatly appreciated the attention given. Thank you Lexington Social for giving us a delightful evening out and filling our eager bellies with exceptional food that was made with love and skill. The whole staff was amazing and we will be seeing much more of you! Thank you!

The food and service are always excellent. We've dined here multiple times and had a great experience every time. I've never had food that wasn't beautifully presented and delicious.

My wife and I have eaten here maybe 6 or 7 times, so we obviously like it. This is the first time rating it. We dined on 6/28/24. We're here for an excellent dining experience, so by now, we know there's a longer wait than you'll have at other restaurants, including good ones. The building is a repurposed train depot from the 1800s. Quite beautiful. We grew up with the building in its dilapidated original form, so to see it transformed into something functional is wonderful. We started off with "sharables." I had the shrimp in a thick, paprika sauce. The shrimp were large, and the sauce was strongly spiced but not hot. Really great. My wife ordered "Kofta" (lamb meatballs) served dripping in parsley, cucumber, red onion and some other stuff. A lot of taste, but we didn't like the texture of the meatball. Almost like a meat mousse. For entrée, wit both ordered crab pasta. They were out. So, she ordered Raviolo and I got the Coulotte (having no idea what that was). Turns out is a nice cut of beef. In this case, well-seasoned and perfectly cooked. I can very much recommend. The side of crispy potatoes in a béarnaise sauce was also quite good. No tiny portions here. My wife's raviolo was also good she says. I like to drink kolsh (type of German beer) which they serve at Lexington Social. I really look forward to it just as much as the food. It's served in a smaller 5 oz glass. I drank my first, ordered another and...they were out. They had a Bavarian lager to substitute. Final analysis, excellent food, nice atmosphere, but prepare to be disappointed when they run out of stuff. They're better at cuisine than inventory.

It saddens me that despite the brilliant piece of halibut I tried, I cannot In good conscious give this fine dining establishment more than 3-3.5 stars after our second visit. Visit one was early on and did NOT involve a reservation, therefore leading to our being seated out on the front porch on a slightly chili night. The 2nd visit, this week involved online resv a couple days in advance and still forced us to grab either a 5pm or 830 slot - we opted for the former and seemed to be the only customers in the place Initially. That changed over the next 30 mins by several small parties that seemed to know each other and/or the staff, making for a fun atmosphere. The setting itself was nice and bright with all the requisite white linen in this restored train depot. The beer selection is still both representative, and a tad thin, esp for a town that will soon feature the best beer bar in the county and 1, soon to be 2, breweries. The service was more than adequate, the oysters were fantastic (albeit a touch expensive), the small chunk of halibut was wonderfully cooked and tasted amazing, but the biggest detractors were the supposed 'medium' cook on the large ribeye, the time everything took to prepare and the lack of much to round out the plates in terms of complimentary vegetables or starches (esp given the small portion of fish), ultimately leaving both of us a bit hungry as we walked out. And while the chef visited and ultimately wrote off the steak, it left us both disappointed. We've heard wonderful things about the Sunday brunch, maybe the 3rd time will be the charm. Frankly it had better...

Wowwowwow! We had a great dinner here last night and can't wait to go back. John, the very charming owner, was also our server. He explained their philosophy of sourcing locally as much as possible along with creating menus with quality, in season ingredients. The unique menu changes often and is small but mighty: 3-4 starters, 4-5 entrees and a few desserts. A rarely seen in this area entree offering last night was a huge softshell crab sandwich. My husband ordered it and was impressed. I started with a tasty lemon cocktail called 'No Cats Outside'. Then Hubs and I shared a plate-lickin' worthy, roasted carrot appetizer sprinkled with bacon, a little chimichurri and 'Shazam' ;) which I believe is finely chopped, maple roasted pecans. For my entree, I went with seared salmon over smashed peas. It was delectable. Side note: neighboring tables got the HUGE steak (aka roast). I believe it was a NY strip and had to be almost 2" thick! Two big men ordered and could not finish. The historic building is really cute and comfortable. Service was great and everyone at other tables seemed very happy. We also had a perfect view into the open kitchen to see all the action -- spiffy spiffy clean and organized. Thanks Lexington Social, you are a class act, with a unique menu executed perfectly!

Incredible meal. Sublime cocktails. Impeccable service. A fresh changing menu. Just can't say enough good things.

The best food with beautiful ambiance and top notch service. They have a wonderful menu that changes to what is available and growing in the community. Fa to table never tasted so good!

Thoroughly enjoyed dinner at Lexington Social. This is a small town and certainly ch3cks the box if you want locally owned vs chain. Service was friendly and good vibes. Food menu is limited but they were excellent. Two tips: be prepared for a little bit of a wait. Food takes a while to cook but not to the point that it is inconvenient. The other is that they market themselves as a 'casual' dining experience. I felt very under dressed. This is definitely being treated as a fine dining establishment by the folks that eat there.

Best restaurant in the Bloomington-Normal area. Quality of product and cookery is second to none in the upscale dining category.

We went for Sunday brunch. Service was professional. Bright and cheery space with interesting art. Bloody Mary was well made and moderately spicy. Eggs Benedict with soft shell crab was a pleasant surprise in central Illinois. Crispy potatoes were especially good. Well-seasoned and fluffy inside. Will definitely return.

What a hidden gem!!! I have heard about and read about this place and we finally tried it. Lexington is a bit of a drive, but it is 100% worth it! The inside is gorgeous and so comfie. Jon was incredible and gives so much background to each decision that is made for this experience. The food is spectacular and absolutely delicious. Do NOT miss out on a dessert - our table ordered 2 and split them. We will definitely keep supporting this fantastic place. Bon appetit!

Beware: not handicap accessible (5 steps into building). My 93 year old mother had to be almost carried in (we are not from IL, but isn't there a law about this?). Anyway, food was awesome, but had to wait 90 minutes for food and A/C wasn't able to keep up with the heat (I guess) so very warm (upstairs would have been intolerable). Atmosphere is clean but not warm. I would give the food a 5, but everything else a 2...so averaged to a 3.

Took the short drive out to Lexington Social tonight for an early Mother's Day dinner! It was an amazingly fun experience! The staff and owners were so friendly, the cocktails were unique and the food was delicious! Hands down one of the best meals I've ever had! (I had the Farm Roasted Chicken) Don't walk....RUN and go check out this gem! Support local and give your tastebuds a wonderful experience!

We had waited a long time to try this place, all the while hearing nothing but rave reviews. We finally visited tonight for our anniversary. Everything was amazing and I don't say that often about any restaurant. Fresh local ingredients, prepared to perfection, attentive service, and a relaxed and funky dining room. Fine dining , but not a stuffy place at all. We will be back.

Limited selection of food, but good quality. Bit pricey for dinners, breakfast/brunch good but also a bit pricey. Friendly staff and courteous.

This place is adorable and we will definitely be back! The interior design and accents are charming and inviting. Small menu for food and cocktails, which was part of the experience. We had the peri peri chicken and salmon. Both excellent. The Pavette Cabernet was the only red wine option but fantastic. My husband had an old fashioned, he said it was made very well. Our servers Jess and Tony were very personable and attentive. They were understaffed, as most restaurants currently are, and running the whole front of the restaurant, with the hostesses help. They all worked together flawlessly and we appreciated their positive attitudes even while they were swamped. We didn't feel rushed and were able to enjoy the evening. This little gem is worth the drive from Bloomington!!

Beautiful spot and quality dishes, exciting for a small town Fairly standard menu, but they do the classics well

Small menu but it was good and the service was also attentive and appropriate. There was a time limit on the tables. The steak was cooked appropriately, the oysters were good but a bit on the small side but hey this is the Midwest. Small wine list and small beer list.

New restaurant in Lexington headed by one half of the legendary 2 Blokes and a Bus chefs Jon Fritzen. Getting a restaurant started during a pandemic is tough stuff but the high end food should win over enough customers to survive. This place offers a niche of fine dining in a casual atmosphere your palate will love. I tried the fish tacos during their soft opening and they were as excellent as I remember from the Blokes. Hours are currently limited to Friday and Saturday nights and brunch on Sunday. Just finished a Friday night dinner I opted for the grilled chicken with fresh green beans that had a nice twist with grilled peaches and feta cheese was excellent. Wife and daughter had the fish and chips which were good size filets with an excellent batter. My other daughter tried the hand cut tagliafelle pasta which looked great and her plate was empty satisfied customer. Oh almost forgot the Island Creek oysters for starters right here in little ole Lexington this stuff is great! Hopefully you'll give this place a try reservations are recommended with the current limited seating. Can't wait to try the brunch on Sundays.

Lexington Social is a sincere and passionate restaurant located in the charming town of Lexington, IL. Every aspect of the restaurant, food, and service is a result of the Jon and Greg's commitment to the highest level of care for guests. The food and cocktails are thoughtfully and laboriously prepared, making them both superior and approachable. If you want, you can go in, eat, and leave, and you will love every drink and bite. However, we opted to ask about how the food was prepared and the evolution of the restaurant, and, in those answers, we were able to find the magic and poetry Lexington Social has to offer every type of guest. We live in Normal, but this is our new favorite restaurant. Lexington Social, thank you for bringing such a special place close to home.

Amazing food, great selection. Love the venue. Jon did so much work to renovate the building. A great addition to Main Street. Tonight's salmon was WONDERFUL. Breakfast is consistently good. Greg's cocktails are quite innovative. Opening this place during the pandemic must have been quite a challenge but it seems to be thriving.

This place is amazing. The French toast is awesome! Very cute and adorable place, barn doors, absolutely cool design.

Definitely a staple in central Illinois. Every time I've been here, I have loved it. I've only tried the breakfast but I've tried different menu items. Everything has been delicious! The bacon is to die for! Can't wait to try dinner!

Dinner was phenomenal...very delicious! We had the bread/butter for an appetizer and really enjoyed it... My husband had the NY Strip for dinner and said it was "amazing"...I had the whole chicken with seasonal veg and was the most flavorful chicken I've eaten. Dessert and drinks were on point as well...the lemon cake and mocha tort were yum yum yum!

Lexington Social is a special place!!! First visit shared the pate and pepperade, both of which came with delicious homemade crusty bread and were well done appetizers. Cocktails were unique and delicious! Had the half chicken dinner which I loved, perfectly cooked and seasoned, super hearty satisfying entree. BF got Chicken Sandwich special and enjoyed it too! Second visit got take out, everything was packaged well and tried the tomato salad, delicata donuts, and gnocchi. Everything was amazing and stayed hot/not soggy even though it traveled back to Normal. Love that they partner with local businesses and do plenty of local food.

I had a great experience at Lexington Social. We made reservations. When we arrived we were escorted to the bar while our table was readied. The bartender explained every cocktail thoroughly and we ordered amazingly crafted cocktails. We were seated shortly after and our cocktails were delivered promptly. As soon as we were seated our waitress explained the menu choices and we ordered some amazing appetizers. Shortly after the appetizers arrived we made our main course meal selection all explained thoroughly by our waitress. There were just a few choices to make because they have a solid minimal menu. All courses were amazing. We ate drank and had great conversation all while being attended to constantly. I had the best ribeye I've ever had at a restaurant and my wife had the amazing chicken. It was expensive but on our way out we were questioned by the. Staff to make sure everything was perfect. It was. I'm looking forward to going back as the menu changes. Amazing experience. Thank you Lexington Social. We even tried a lemon cake desert that was top notch. Great experience. Highly recommend!

This place is excellent! Everything we ordered was delicious, but we were very impressed by the roast carrot starter-- we couldn't figure out all the components, but they were so smoky and good! We are excited to try brunch in the future.

We had a wonderful breakfast and the service was friendly and attentive. I highly recommend the Biscuit Sammie, it was rich and delicious! The breakfast Poutine was also very good but it would be better with the traditional cheese curds or another firmer cheese. The atmosphere is stylish and well maintained. We'll be back soon.

Went for a celebratory dinner last night. The owner was our waiter and provided very helpful and advice and suggestions. The atmosphere was cozy but tables were nicely spaced. This was our first indoor dining experience in over a year and I really wanted to pick someplace special. Mission accomplished! The service was exceptional and the food was fantastic! We started with the bread and a half of oysters. The sourdough was perfectly baked with a dark crust and shattering crunch. The oysters - sublime. Perfectly shucked (no bits of shell) and Britney with a rose mignonette and a hot sauce accompaniment. The mignonette was my favorite and perfectly accented the taste of ocean from the oysters. My husband had the steak dinner and while he loved his steak and went on about the perfectly charred crust on the steak, he practically swooned over the crispy potatoes. I had the crispy skinned Ora salmon that was perfection on the pea mash and braised French breakfast radishes. The house concocted cocktails we chose were delicious as well. Dessert was lovely as well, a lemon cake and turtle cheesecake, which we enjoyed at home later in the evening. Be advised - the steak is huge!. Next time, we'll go for the full order of oysters.

This is a welcome and refreshing foodie venture! So excited to have this minimalist be casual or dressy spot open up. They are friendly and figuring it all out during so much restrictions so kudos to them. The food was great for dinner, had the fish and chips and my friend had the pasta, both were terrific. The lemon and chocolate desserts are the only two and they were so well done and delicious that there is truly no need for another!