Vlad
Google
3-Star Experience at Tony’s – Potential, But Not Quite There Yet
As they say, first impressions matter, and my first experience at Tony’s left much to be desired. While there were some positives, the overall experience fell short of the upscale dining standard Tony’s seems to aim for.
Atmosphere:
We had a 7:30 pm reservation for a business dinner with a party of eight. Despite the reservation, no tables were available upon arrival, and we ended up waiting awkwardly by the door for 30 minutes. The restaurant was crowded, and there was no designated waiting area, forcing us to repeatedly step aside for waitstaff and other customers. It’s puzzling why the second floor isn’t utilized, even if just as a waiting area, to alleviate this issue. Eventually, a high-top table was assembled for us near the bar, which felt like a makeshift solution rather than a thoughtful accommodation.
Food and Drinks:
The evening got off to a rocky start with the drinks. After the waiter listed the available draft beers, I ordered a brown ale, only to be told minutes later that they were out. I then asked for a Guinness, but they were out of that as well. This lack of communication between the bar and waitstaff created unnecessary frustration and made the service appear disorganized. At that point, I switched to bourbon—which, frankly, I needed after all that.
The appetizers were solid, though not exceptional. The mussels, calamari, tuna tartare, and beef tartare were all good, with the tuna tartare being the standout. The sausage, however, was a bit dry.
For the main course, I had the dry-aged pork chop. The meat itself was cooked perfectly and tasted delicious, but the side of whipped sweet potatoes with marshmallows was a questionable choice. The combination was overwhelmingly sweet, more like a dessert than a side dish. While I understand the idea of pairing pork with something sweet, this was far from subtle—it felt like two unrelated dishes forced onto one plate.
The fried mushrooms were unexpectedly spicy, which wasn’t mentioned on the menu. This came as an unpleasant surprise. The other sides were decent, but nothing memorable.
Dessert was a crème brûlée, which was fine but lacked the signature glass-like crack when tapped with a spoon. It felt like a missed opportunity to end the meal on a high note.
Overall Impression:
Tony’s has potential, but there are several areas that need improvement to match the upscale dining experience it strives to offer. The atmosphere felt cramped and lacked the comfort and luxury of a high-end steakhouse. The underutilization of space and disorganized service further detracted from the experience.
While the food had its highlights, the inconsistencies and questionable pairings left me underwhelmed. If you’re looking for a true steakhouse experience in Lexington, Jeff Ruby’s remains the top choice. I hope Tony’s can refine its offerings and operations to live up to its ambitions. Wishing them the best of luck!