Thank goodness for Enoteca's check-in offer via the Yelp app! The check-in offer is good for one free order of the patatas bravas, one of their "most popular tapas," "golden potatoes oven roasted in olive oil and garlic with a house made lemon and garlic aioli." I doubt I would have ordered these without the check-in offer, and they were my favorite among the several tapas we tried. The potatoes were salty and cripsy -- perfectly mixed with the creamy aioli. I'm sad that Enoteca is so far away from me, living here in Louisville, because I've been salivating over them ever since I had them on Saturday night. And the patatas were just one of the many wonderful things I ate at Enoteca. Other good eats included: - the chorizo puffs, which were fluffy with a thick slice of chorizo in the middle. - stuffed mushrooms with manchego cheese. These were almost over-cooked but still large and delicious. - gambas al ajillo, which were plump shrimp in garlic butter. - Brussels sprouts and cheese, which were the tapas of the day. I'm not normally a fan of Brussels sprouts, but I eagerly gobbled these up. - lemon panna cotta -- so creamy and sweet! - raspberry ice cream, which was the house ice cream. It was rich, better than the lemon panna cotta and a hefty serving. And while tapas usually leave me hungry, I was quite stuffed after this dinner. Enoteca also puts as much emphasis on its beer, wine and cocktails as it does its food. We joked that there was one page of tapas but close to 10 pages of drink selections. We started with a red wine sangria -- it was OK; I've had better -- and then moved on to a bottle of Vina Alberdi rioja at the suggestion of the waiter. It paired perfectly with the meal. Our waiter was attentive, and I loved that our party was given our own side room, which made the meal intimate. I can't wait to go back to Enoteca on my next trip to Lexington.
(5)
Brandon N.
First of all, I agree with the $$ rating, but I spent from wine to dessert about $$$ and it was well worth it. We started with wine. I had the Mar de Vinas, Albariño, from Rias Baixas, Spain and Beverly got the Biutiful Cava, also Spain. My Albariño was the perfect light, tart, fruity accompaniment to my tapas. Next came the "Moses Sleeper" Brie, marinated olives, and a salad of mixed greens, roasted tomato, radish, capers, and the house vinaigrette. The salad was lightly dressed, fresh, and delightful. Our "entrees" were the Patatas Bravas (thanks Yelp) with aioli (best "fries" in Lexington), the Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp with a slightly spicy garlic butter--just the right amount of heat not to overpower the shrimp) and the tapa of the day, Lamb Masui (spelling?). The lamp was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and spiced; it seemed to have a garlic-infused Middle Eastern influence and was very good. For dessert, we had the Bread pudding with Willet Bourbon sauce and the Chocolate Bourbon almond-stuffed figs. Both were delightful finishes to the evening. All-in-all, Enoteca isn't a place to sit down to a big, heavy, steak dinner. It is a place with great service to while away an early evening, relaxing with wine and good food.
(5)
Paulette A.
A unique experience for Lexington. I highly recommend taking your time and starting with some of the excellent meat and cheese options. We had the tapa of the day, which was an andouille sausage on a bed of onions and peppers with a great honey mustard sauce, the patatas bravas, Brussels sprouts with manchego and the shrimp. The sauces were absolutely of the "sop it up with a biscuit" variety. No joke. We got extra bread just for the garlic butter. They have a huge selection of wines, bourbons and beers. And our waitress Sofia was outstanding! I am coming back in the summer when I can sit on their patio.
(5)
David C.
Great range of bourbon and wine. Reasonable selection of tapas. Chorizo in pastry puff was excellent. Patatas bravas was tasty and free with a Yelp check-in. The ham and duck were ok, as were mushrooms. Nice chicken dish with cilantro and rice. Squid salad was a bit odd - had an aroma of a clean armpit - not a great way to finish the meal. Service was prompt and friendly. A little on the expensive side. I would come back again but not a specific trip.
(4)
Brooke M.
I love the atmosphere! But I love that its a tapas restaurant. It's easy to pass around and try what you have ordered. The wine selection is excellent. I do wish they took reservations for less than 6 though.
(5)
Kathy L.
I loved the cauliflower tortilla. My husband loved the squid salad. The manchego cheese was very good as was the green salad. My Malbec was only okay.
(4)
Autumn L.
The place was almost magical with it's unique atmosphere. Food was great but service was not. We felt rushed and the waiter didn't seem so happy to be there. He looked almost..nervous. Other than that, everything else was great.
(4)
Jesse R.
Just what the doctor ordered for Lexington. I love this place. The staff is super helpful, the booze selection solid, and the food is dope too. Amazing atmosphere and vibe. I wouldn't change a thing. The owners are super chill too.
(5)
Brandon L.
Enoteca is a hidden gem on the outskirts of downtown Lexington. My fiancee and I had been there several times before, but in July of this year, we had a mini "engagement party" there on the night we got engaged. I would say there were roughly 35-40 people there in our party. The owner was incredibly hospitable and as always took a personal interest in the event which we really appreciated. The staff was ready to host us in one of the bigger rooms and the bar area, with all of the small plates and bottles of wine we had previously ordered ready to go! Would recommend for any occasion, but would especially recommend to the couple who is looking for a cool new spot in all of our favorite city!
(5)
Marcus M.
This place has a nice ambience, and a great beer, wine, and booze selection. The downside -- it's a tad pretentious, and the tapas portions are small and ridiculously overpriced when you consider the quality of the food -- very average. We tried 4 different dishes, all of which were underwhelming. Not a bad experience, but I probably won't be back.
(3)
Joanna S.
Love the atmosphere and the small plates are really delicious. Great place to chill with friends and a bottle of wine.
(4)
Theresa B.
This was my first time visiting Enoteca, attending a special event that allowed me to sample quite a few of the Tapas and a dessert. We had 3 different cheeses, a cheddar, a goat cheese, and a Manchego. I skipped the goat cheese as I am not a fan of the stuff but the other 2 were super tasty. The cheddar is a 4 year cheddar out of Wisconsin and it was super flavorful. And the Manchego had a delightful saltiness to it. We also had a thinly sliced Serrano and Chorizo. But the Chorizo was a paprika Chorizo so it was mild and not spicy at all but had a mild smoky flavor. The Serrano was good, nothing great. It went well with the cheeses and my wine. We also had the Chorizo Puffs, which were like tiny empanadas with thicker slice of the chorizo in it. It was served with a mustard sauce. Those were my favorite and I wish I had more than just one. Super flaky crust and not too spicy. It was delicious! We also had the Patatas Bravas w/ Aioli. They were tasty but basically little potato wedges served with mayo. Think fancy french fries served European style. Next up were the Meatballs a la Madrilena. These were little meatballs served w/ a marina sauce. They were "okay". Nothing special. I'm not 100% which meat was used for the meatballs but I would guess beef or pork. The dessert we were served were the figs. Oh, the figs!!! Okay, I lied. The figs were my favorite. These are soaked in bourbon (Maker's 46) for 24 hours then they stuff them with a Marcona almond before covering them with dark chocolate. To die for!! I didn't think the bourbon flavor was too strong, it was just enough and I loved the little crunch of the almond. One thing to note: Don't try to be dainty and eat bites of it. You get chocolate all over your fingers and stuff. Just pop the whole thing in your mouth. I guess you could *try* to cut it in half. Seriously, so good. Our group sat out on the patio, which was really nice. Weather permitting, try to sit out there. They have a wonderful selection of wines, both by the glass and by the bottle. They also had a selection of beers, whiskeys, and cocktails. I'm excited to come back and try other items. I want to try their cocktail made with the "figgy" bourbon they used to soak the figs in, the Fig 46. I also want to try the Marcona almonds and the panna cotta. SPECIAL DEAL: If you check in using YELP, you get a free Patatas Bravas. Definitely worth checking in.
(5)
Meg L.
I went to Enoteca for a cocktail last weekend and had a terrible experience. We sat at the bar and the bartender was extremely rude, slamming drinks and bottles around and barely acknowledging that we we're sitting there. He was complaining about the other waitstaff to customers and running around like he was the only one working there (he wasn't). I've been to enoteca before and had a good time, but the bartender completely ruined the evening for us. At a place that charges $10 cocktails, the service should have been much more professional.
(2)
Jessica G.
I hadn't heard of Enoteca until I found it on yelp and I am so glad I did! My husband and used this as the first stop on our progressive dinner and it was perfect for appetizers. The patio was nice with lights and a cute little table for two. They are known for wine and tapas. We don't drink, so I can't speak to the wine, but we still loved the ambiance. The check-in patatas bravas were free and were basically perfectly cooked potato wedges. They were good. We also had the chorizo puffs, which were both of our favorite. We rounded it out with the paprika chicken skewers and which had a fresh pesto sauce for dipping. They were small plates, but you could definitely order enough to have a full meal. Everything tasted great and our service was friendly. They don't have parking anymore on Jefferson Street, but the waiter told us that there is a lot a block or so over that we could have parked in. They probably need to work on promoting that. He also told us about their new rooftop-like deck that we wondered up to see before leaving. It was really neat but no one was up there. I'm not sure if they weren't seating people there on purpose, but it would be great for a small event or gathering. Or it would be nice to just sit and eat up there. Overall, we were thrilled to have stumbled upon this place and hope to visit again!
(4)
Julie G.
I wanted to love Enoteca, in the Jefferson Street corridor of downtown Lexington, but sadly the tapas and service didn't quite hit the mark for me. We ordered four different tapas (patatas bravas, Brussels sprouts in a Spanish cheese sauce, chorizo puffs and a potato quiche of sorts). None of them really wowed me. The potato quiche tasted like it had been microwaved. The patatas bravos lacked seasoning, and the aioli it was served with was pretty pedestrian and bland. Brussels sprouts and chorizo puffs were A-OK, but nothing off-the-hook and not good enough to inspire me to return in a hurry. Our server was not very educated on the menu and was unable to answer a couple of fairly generic questions about our tapas selections. He also went MIA for two or three long stretches of time. We weren't in a rush by any means, but a little more attention (or at least presence) would have been appreciated. The space is modern and lovely, and the wine list is extensive. The environment is perfect for happy hour with friends or colleagues. If atmosphere and drinks are the priority, and you don't care so much about the food, then this is your place. I hope I caught them on a off-night and based on some other reviews, maybe I did. I'd go again if someone else suggested it, but I would do so with lowered expectations and a little less enthusiasm.
(3)
Tabitha H.
Romantic atmosphere makes for a great date night or drink after a long day. The bourbon infused figs are to die for. The staff is always friendly and helpful if you have any particular question about a certain type of wine or spirit.
(5)
Halide T.
This is a great concept wine & tapas bar that you would more likely find in a big city, except we have this gem right in the heart of Jefferson Street. Owned by the same couple that owns Wine+Market, Enoteca provides the perfect atmosphere for your wine experience.Their tapas menu features a few traditional spanish tapas in addition to other unique options. Although the tapas menu is a bit small, they do change their menu offerings often. After several visits here with a friend of mine who cannot consume gluten, we found out that they offer a handful of things that are or can be made gluten free upon request which was definitely a plus for us. Being a wine bar, their staff knows a lot about the wines but they will also be more than happy to help you pick other drinks if you decide to skip the wine.
(4)
Clara H.
Open late and very generous portions. Great "texmex" restaurant. The queso is on point and the chimichanga is fabulous.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Another reason for these Californians to LOVE Lexington! Great tapas, wine and a bourbon list with a ton of street cred! Very friendly service and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Eric D.
I don't know if I hit this place on a bad night, or it's consistently this bad. The service is terrible and the staff is really rude. Ordering a drink is a lengthly process and not an enjoyable expierence. If you are looking to have a nice wine date? I would look somewhere far from this place.
(1)
Megan M.
Beautiful atmophere and nice selections. It is a bit pricey and not somewhere I would go frequently, but more for special occassions. The wait could have been better but it wasn't bad at all.
(4)
Andrea W.
As a regular customer at Wine + Market, and a big fan of Spanish food, Enoteca does not disappoint. We ordered way too much food, because we wanted to try everything! In particular, the gazpacho is fantastic, as are the patatas bravas, but the meatballs are really something special. There's a nice wine selection, with many affordable yet excellent labels, and a nice atmosphere. Really impressed. I'm looking forward to returning for grand opening, and the promise of paella in the future!
(5)
Sammy D.
Food-2 stars, ambience 4 stars, service 0 stars. Really disappointed after all of the rave reviews we saw on yelp. Here out of town. Some of the food was good. Some of the dishes were cold in the middle. The desert was great. The service was just awful. I'll finish the review when the check comes... Don't bother.
(1)
Michael G.
The food is good, and there is plenty of excellent wine to try. But if you want to plan a creative event, get everything in writing and clearly established beforehand. My experience was a distasteful feeling of being taken advantage of after a handshake agreement and the idea that I could trust the managers or owners to set up the event right--instead far too much wine was put out (after having labels removed for the blind tasting) for the number of people I had said would come, and way too much food was put out. They agreed to take back some of the unopened wine, but a bit grudgingly and the final bill was certainly more than a 12-person event justified. Bitter enough taste left that I haven't returned in the past many months. It was great food and wine and good fun, but I learned my lesson: clarify how many bottles and plates with specific numbers ahead of time, and don't just trust to the moderation of the restauranteur.
(4)
Hansel B.
This is a nice tapas place that recently opened. I would recommend for a business dinner and a group. The menu is small, this place is really meant for wine, but you can order plenty of tapas to fill you up. I especially like the meatballs and chorizo tapas. The white sangria is also pretty good.
(4)
Jen L.
This is a great place for light fare, incredible wines and good music. I always walk away pleased!
(5)
Krystle M.
I love Enoteca. End. Of. Story. Seriously though! They have a great selection of wine, bourbon & spirits with delicious tapas. The staff is awesome, especially the bartender (I forgot his name) but he was very helpful, professional & enjoyable! My husband & I will be making frequent visits while we're in town for a few months. Oh yeah, they have an adorable outdoor patio as well.
(5)
Susan S.
Molto Bene !! This place reminds me of old Montalcino, Tuscany ! You can almost smell the olive trees, and red grapes waiting to be harvested ! Owners are very hospitable and their decor is very CHIC !! Geat place for first date, it is very romantic, or gather with friends, or after work DE-Stress !! Ciao !!
(5)
Mindy R.
The atmosphere of this place is incredible. Very urban and just right for the Jefferson Street district. I might just live on the patio this summer with a glass of wine in my hand.
(5)
Lisa S.
We have eaten here before and love it so it was no surprise that when it was time to pick a place for my happy hour birthday party I chose Enoteca. I have to say that Sean was more than willing to accommodate us. I checked in with him early in the week to give him a head count so that they were prepared. We ended up have 26 people there and mostly at once! They reserved the whole bar area and front room for our crowd. They were happy to let my friends set up my gifts and Lamp ( see picture, there is a huge backstory on it) at the end of the bar. We were there from 6pm-9:30pm and that I could tell, there was never a glitch in any of the service. They actually ran out of some food items just because people would order the chorizzo cheese puffs and then someone would see them and order them and I think that how most of the night went! I look forward to another visit really soon. since it is literally just around the corner from us and within walking distance we will be back :)
(5)
Alexander D.
This was our dinner choice for our one year anniversary. We started off with two glasses of wine and each were different but were recommended and perfectly fit our taste. We checked in and got a free dish which was awesome!! We then ordered a squid salad, chorizo puffs, Patatas Bravas (free item), and the paprika chicken. The squid salad was a first for me but I wouldn't say I would order it again but it wasn't bad. The puffs were a great dish but not full of flavor. The fries were very soft and the sauce was great. The best dish we had by far was the paprika chicken! It was cooked perfectly and I would recommend that to anyone. The rub they used was unique and full of flavor. Overall it was a good restaurant in the unique food and I would recommend for you to try it out if you like to share dishes and try a bunch of different flavors.
(4)
Jesica L.
I want to hug the owner and everyone having a part in creating Enoteca. I want to kiss their cheek and whisper in their ear a heartfelt, "thank you." I needed a restaurant exactly like this. Upscale but not pretentious, high end food without the high end price tag, beautiful decor, craft cocktails, and amazing service. The moment I walked through the door I was sincerely welcomed and quickly escorted to a large table near the back. We had a very attentive waiter, Chadrick, who looked like Paul Mitchell and was very pleasant. My friends and I shared a variety of tapas including manchego cheese, brussel sprouts, shrimp in garlic sauce, meatballs a la madrille, empanadas, and cauliflower au gratin. Several dishes had tiny slices of baguette that we enjoyed soaking up the last drop of sauce from the various platters. It was delicious! My drink was very tasty too and I'm a picky drinker. The triple kiss was perfectly sweet without being over the top. All in all, it was a lovely first impression of my new favorite restaurant :)
(5)
Heather P.
Just as Wine Market across the street, this place is unlike any other. Apparently the two places are owned by the same people. On my first visit, I just had a glass of wine. I should've noted what the name was because it was excellent and reasonably priced. On my next visit, I was hoping to enjoy a dessert but I didn't find anything that sounded appealing. I had a cheese plate and a shot of rare bourbon. Other reviewers indicate that this place is a mostly a wine bar, but we shouldn't overlook or fail to mention that they have A LOT of bourbon to choose from...even the famous Pappy Van Winkle.
(4)
Jeff D.
Fantastic food and ambiance. Enjoyed the cheese and full experience. So far this is the best restaurant that I have found in Lexington
(5)
Yash G.
A few years ago this was a seedy part of town but how it has changed over the years is phenomenal. We decided to go in for a quick appetizer/drink but ended up staying for a while. I do not recall my waiters name but this guy knew what he was doing. He seated us upstairs (perfect for a cool Lexington evening) and was very helpful explaining the drink menu ( it's huge) and the various tapas. We enjoyed a few wines with cheese, Chorizo puffs and stuffed mushrooms. We ended it with chocolate figs which I would absolutely recommend. The parking was not an issue when we were there. I found some street parking fairly easily but I can see how it can be an issue for some during peak time. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Colleen C.
Two words: chorizo puffs. Do not miss out on these. I'm going to try to make them myself as an appetizer for an upcoming party. People with kids be warned: they were cool with us bringing our baby. However they do not have high chairs. You might want to save this place for date night. We're out of towners on vacation so we didn't have a choice.
(5)
Glenda E.
I went with a large, very loud group. I enjoyed the tapas. Our group basically had the entire menu. I did not love the brussel sprouts, but that was the exception. I highly recommend the shrimp and grits. Several of our group loved the escargot. I think this restaurant is great for a group.
(4)
Ashley M.
A great place to have a glass of wine/cocktail & a light bite to eat with friends. If you check in using YELP you get a free Patatas Bravas ;) I went for a special event and was able to sample many of the Tapas and one dessert. We had: Chorizo (mild, paprika salami from Spain), Chorizo Puffs with mustard sauce, Patatas Bravas with Aioli, Meatballs a la Madrilena and Chocolate bourbon Almond Stuffed figs. There were three cheeses. I preferred the soft, mild goat cheese which I simply cannot recall which one it was on the menu. My favorite, the Chorizo. It was thin sliced; the perfect diameter to settle on your tongue. It was smokey, not spicey but very flavor-full. My least favorite, The Meatballs. Although the Marinara was wonderful the meatball was just average. Nothing to rave about. The figs were amazing and the Bourbon not too strong. It's recommended to pair it with a cocktail, Fig 46 (see the posted photo of the menu), which is made using the Bourbon from soaking the figs for this dessert. When I go back, I'm making sure I'm not the one driving home so I can drink more, I'm eating mostly the Chorizo and I'm trying the Panna Cotta (Lemon & Raspberry). Sit on the lower pation, weather permitting, it was very charming.
(4)
Teri R.
Outstanding Tapas. The Cauliflower auGrautin was outstanding. We tried numerous dishes and they were all good. The music on the top deck was great. They also have Pappy Van Winkles.
(4)
Lee G.
This is just what Lexington needed. They have a wide array of tapas to try. The olives and the almonds are out of this world. You'll need to put in 3 or 4 orders if you're looking to fill up, but remember it's tapas, which is great because you can taste many different items. The cocktails are also fantastic, the bartender does an excellent job. They also have superb wine and beer selection. Very cool atmosphere and wonderful servers.
(5)
Ashley L.
Beautiful and hip atmosphere. Reminds me of tapas bars in bigger cities. Great wine list and interesting charcuterie plates and other tapas to choose from. Great for a light dinner when you're indulging in libations. Beautiful patio area in a blossoming part of town.
(4)
Jeff R.
Stopped in around 6:30 on a Friday night and the place was already pretty packed. Service was a bit slow. Decent tapas list. We had potatoes brava and lentil salad. Both were nice, but pricey. Limited draft list - one item. It was Gumbalhead when we were there. Overall beer list decent - lots of Evil Twin - if not extensive (why not big bottles and a few hard to get options to match the atmosphere?) Lexington needed a place like this. I'd like to see a more extensive and Spanish tapas list, maybe some octopus?
(3)
Maggie M.
Incredible food, service, and wine selection. Loved every bite and sip. My favorites are the potatoes brava, bread pudding, and chorizo puffs! Enjoyed all of it in a beautiful space with intricate details. Great addition to a blooming and booming part of downtown Lexington.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
Burger week and they were clearly not prepared for the onslaught. I am an innocent bystander coming here for the reviews. Waited 20 minutes before ordering or receiving drinks. Don't order cheese plate on Sunday. Bread is way too old. Food all came out at once. Cheese plate is one of those things we humor guests with, as it sis quick and easy and will tie one over until food appears. I arrived at 5:20. Eventually sitting at bar. I am leaving at 7:35. I do recommend the free potatoes and the Malbec and chorizo puff pastry. Though Nothing really WOWEd me.
(3)
MacKinnon A.
While they apologized for the four hour length of our dinner due to problems with placing the order, the kitchen, and then our bill, the food did not rise to the level to remotely compensate. The downstairs is lovely, but the upstairs (where we sat) had a lunchtime hearth & home, country restaurant feel.
(1)
Q H.
Very good! Great atmosphere, both inside and out on the rather large patio. Comfortable and inviting whether you intend to eat or just hang out and have a cocktail or a glass of wine. Since it's tapas, it's a great place to go and sample several different dishes to pass around the table. The ingredients are fresh and their quality superb. New tapas are offered on occasion, so it never gets stale. I am particularly fond of the meat and cheese selections (most sold in the market, W+M, across the street), meatballs, and shrimp. They are consistently delicious. For wine and cocktails, you simply cannot go wrong. The wines (also sold at W+M) are always top-notch and are reasonably priced. The cocktails are creative and overall very good, and all are made with high-quality (and often local, or at least small batch/unique) liquors. The beer selection is small, but consistently good and always expanding. Finally, the bourbon selection is immense; Kentuckians will be proud.
(5)
Zach B.
In a nutshell, this place is dope. With a wine list, beer list, and alcohol list (especially bourbon) that can only be described as prolific, this is the place to go when you want a really good drink. The cocktails also are unique and as far as I know, not duplicated anywhere else in Lexington. The food was fantastic also. As a total antipasto snob, I was really impressed with the quality of the meats and cheeses- easily comparable to the fresh fare I used to eat when I lived in France and Italy. The tapas were also excellent. The place has a pretty modern decor, although the front part is a touch dark and one room is much more rustic and has a Cracker Barrel feel. In my opinion, sitting outside is the way to go. We asked our server plenty of questions about her preferences and suggestions of wines, cocktails, and food and this brilliant woman did not disappoint. Each suggestion elicited a "wow, that's good" and next time I'll probably just have her choose everything I order. All of the food was creative, unique, and delicious. I was shocked it wasn't more expensive. The chocolate Bourbon almond stuffed figs were quite a treat for desert. This place is a hidden gem in Lexington, especially for tapas and Western European inspired food.
(5)
Jacob P.
A really unique dining experience. All of the tapas we had were great. Be sure to check in here on Yelp to get the patatas free.My favorites were probably the stuffed mushrooms and the Brussels sprouts. Enoteca provided a great setting to catch up with a good friend over drinks and food.
(5)
Damian T.
Beautiful atmosphere, lovely "tapas" (appetizers) a nice wine selection and fun cocktails. It is a bit more formal than I'd expect for a tapas bar but we went here to celebrate a birthday so it was perfect. The place definitely has some class and the cheese! Oh my goodness the cheese, I love cheese. Another great addition to the Jefferson st scene.
(5)
Katie L.
My new favorite place to go and relax with friends. I recently went with some girlfriends and the bartender made us each special, surprise cocktails. My favorite had fig-infused bourbon that they infuse in-house. Definitely a unique experience I've never had before, the hospitality put this place over the top. If you're looking for something new and creative, enoreca is your place.
(5)
Neha G.
My husband and I decided to try Enoteca on a Friday night. We got there around 6:45, and while all of the tables were taken we easily found a spot at the bar as soon as we walked in. I have to say, I'm a huge fan of the atmosphere. It was quiet enough that I was able to talk to my husband without raising my voice at all. I was sitting next to a couple of women but didn't feel as though I was eavesdropping on their conversation. The bartender was very friendly, and the service was great. In addition to a few glasses of wine (all red, all delicious) we tried 4 of the tapas. The stuffed mushrooms (which were one of the tapas of the day), brussels sprouts with a manchego cheese sauce, the meatballs madrilena, and the chorizo puffs. Oh my god, the mushrooms. We ended up ordering a second round of those because of how delicious they were. Savory with an amazing white wine, butter and garlic sauce. So good. The brussels sprouts were roasted and the manchego cheese sauce was rich and creamy. The meatballs were good, but not great - the tomato sauce they came with was delicious, but to be honest I'm not a huge meatball fan so I'm not the best judge. The chorizo puffs were also ok. The mustard dipping sauce was good, but I would have liked more chorizo. That being said, we'll definitely be back. I liked that there were stars next to the wines you could walk across the street and buy. Can't wait to come back when the weather is nice and we can sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious tapas.
(4)
Jason W.
Visited this reasonably new restaurant for brunch today, and was very impressed. Went with several friends and we all ordered various tapas and shared. Every single bite was surprising and delicious: layers of flavor and a wide variety of seasonings and treatments. A sausage smoked on sight with just the right amount of heat. The chorizo puffs were flaky and the sweetness matched perfectly with the sausage. Meatballs a la Madrileña were savory, tasty and disappeared in seconds. I probably ate most of the two orders of patatas bravas myself. I will take my wife here the next time we have dinner out. I can't imagine any palate not finding something delicious in this cozy, wonderful restaurant.
(5)
Leslee G.
We have visited Enoteca twice now. Both times the same experience. The food is wonderful!! Don't go expecting large portions but everything we tried was delicious and a good value. SERVICE on the other hand is terrible. Both visits were beyond slow and not friendly. The servers refused to split checks for a large party and another occasion a small gathering. I find this ridiculous. I have waited tables (a long time ago) and the technology existed then to split checks......Pretty sure they can do it now. In fact, it really is part of their job to ask about checks and to be able to split the tabs.
(3)
Tony A.
Went on a Friday night. The restaurant was busy but far from being slammed, in fact, for a while we were the only party in the room where we were seated. We ordered a "Dine Lexington" special for $25. The wine was included in the price of the special. When the 2 glasses of wine came out one obviously contained much less than the other. When I commented on the short pour the waitress didn't even look at the glass; she immediately replied "We do 5oz pours." When I insisted that it was far less than 5oz she took it back to the bar and returned with a full measure. Despite not being packed the waitress kept telling us that the reason the slow service was because they were so busy. I don't appreciate wait staff arguing with me when I have an issue with my order. Nor do I need excuses for poor service.
(2)
Price S.
Great food, wine, and atmosphere. On a busy nite our servers were friendly and attentive. I will visit Enoteca again.
(5)
K R.
Enoteca is not only a beautiful space but its just the right place to begin or end an evening on Jefferson Street. The tapas are delicious and just the right amount of food to be a teaser before dinner. Interesting wines available that you won't find elsewhere.
(5)
Wes C.
The good: the food, the service, the wine, the beer, the interior. The bad: if there had to be something it would be the parking and the insulation of the building. The rundown: we ordered several tapas, all of which were delicious, esp the empanadas. They have a vast array of wines and a decent sized beer menu. They have seasonal drinks and great standards. The service is fast and friendly. The interior is definitely hipster, but with a slightly more classic and rustic feel. It is a little cold in there during the winter as it is an get building and the parking can be difficult to come by. The impression: This is a must visit for nights when you want a laid back evening. With a great food, and great drinks in a romantic setting you can't really ask for more.
(5)
Andie A.
Fantastic food and ambiance! The Brussel sprouts and figs are incredible. Service was almost aloof, but the food made up for it.
(4)
Ashley S.
Heaven. On Earth. Beautiful smiling people float in, almost unseen, to deliver plate after plate of delicious food. As soon as you finish one plate, a new one appears. Like magic. I was in Lexington for a conference and staying at the Hyatt Regency. Enoteca is an easy walk from the hotel. I was with a large group of people (approximately ten), and we divided our party into smaller groups to order food. I ended up in a group of four, with way too much food (so we passed it to the rest of the group). We had two pitchers of white sangria (I had only ever had red sangria, and white sangria was a nice change. Fresher and lighter). We ordered a variety of cheeses and hams, and several of the tapas. Our favorites included the Patatas Bravas (free with a yelp check-in, so no reason not to order these elevated French fries), the stuffed mushrooms, the Gambas al Ajilo (essentially shrimp and grits), and the squid salad (wow, this was good. Everyone at the table loved it, even the member of our party who initially cried, "I can't eat that; it has little tentacles!). Be sure to ask for extra bread to sop up all the garlic butter and aioli and other leftover sauces. When we left, everyone was a little bit drunk and a lotta bit stuffed and completely happy. It was the best dining experience I've had in a long time -- and it was in Lexington.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Emily H.
Thank goodness for Enoteca's check-in offer via the Yelp app! The check-in offer is good for one free order of the patatas bravas, one of their "most popular tapas," "golden potatoes oven roasted in olive oil and garlic with a house made lemon and garlic aioli." I doubt I would have ordered these without the check-in offer, and they were my favorite among the several tapas we tried. The potatoes were salty and cripsy -- perfectly mixed with the creamy aioli. I'm sad that Enoteca is so far away from me, living here in Louisville, because I've been salivating over them ever since I had them on Saturday night. And the patatas were just one of the many wonderful things I ate at Enoteca. Other good eats included: - the chorizo puffs, which were fluffy with a thick slice of chorizo in the middle. - stuffed mushrooms with manchego cheese. These were almost over-cooked but still large and delicious. - gambas al ajillo, which were plump shrimp in garlic butter. - Brussels sprouts and cheese, which were the tapas of the day. I'm not normally a fan of Brussels sprouts, but I eagerly gobbled these up. - lemon panna cotta -- so creamy and sweet! - raspberry ice cream, which was the house ice cream. It was rich, better than the lemon panna cotta and a hefty serving. And while tapas usually leave me hungry, I was quite stuffed after this dinner. Enoteca also puts as much emphasis on its beer, wine and cocktails as it does its food. We joked that there was one page of tapas but close to 10 pages of drink selections. We started with a red wine sangria -- it was OK; I've had better -- and then moved on to a bottle of Vina Alberdi rioja at the suggestion of the waiter. It paired perfectly with the meal. Our waiter was attentive, and I loved that our party was given our own side room, which made the meal intimate. I can't wait to go back to Enoteca on my next trip to Lexington.
(5)Brandon N.
First of all, I agree with the $$ rating, but I spent from wine to dessert about $$$ and it was well worth it. We started with wine. I had the Mar de Vinas, Albariño, from Rias Baixas, Spain and Beverly got the Biutiful Cava, also Spain. My Albariño was the perfect light, tart, fruity accompaniment to my tapas. Next came the "Moses Sleeper" Brie, marinated olives, and a salad of mixed greens, roasted tomato, radish, capers, and the house vinaigrette. The salad was lightly dressed, fresh, and delightful. Our "entrees" were the Patatas Bravas (thanks Yelp) with aioli (best "fries" in Lexington), the Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp with a slightly spicy garlic butter--just the right amount of heat not to overpower the shrimp) and the tapa of the day, Lamb Masui (spelling?). The lamp was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and spiced; it seemed to have a garlic-infused Middle Eastern influence and was very good. For dessert, we had the Bread pudding with Willet Bourbon sauce and the Chocolate Bourbon almond-stuffed figs. Both were delightful finishes to the evening. All-in-all, Enoteca isn't a place to sit down to a big, heavy, steak dinner. It is a place with great service to while away an early evening, relaxing with wine and good food.
(5)Paulette A.
A unique experience for Lexington. I highly recommend taking your time and starting with some of the excellent meat and cheese options. We had the tapa of the day, which was an andouille sausage on a bed of onions and peppers with a great honey mustard sauce, the patatas bravas, Brussels sprouts with manchego and the shrimp. The sauces were absolutely of the "sop it up with a biscuit" variety. No joke. We got extra bread just for the garlic butter. They have a huge selection of wines, bourbons and beers. And our waitress Sofia was outstanding! I am coming back in the summer when I can sit on their patio.
(5)David C.
Great range of bourbon and wine. Reasonable selection of tapas. Chorizo in pastry puff was excellent. Patatas bravas was tasty and free with a Yelp check-in. The ham and duck were ok, as were mushrooms. Nice chicken dish with cilantro and rice. Squid salad was a bit odd - had an aroma of a clean armpit - not a great way to finish the meal. Service was prompt and friendly. A little on the expensive side. I would come back again but not a specific trip.
(4)Brooke M.
I love the atmosphere! But I love that its a tapas restaurant. It's easy to pass around and try what you have ordered. The wine selection is excellent. I do wish they took reservations for less than 6 though.
(5)Kathy L.
I loved the cauliflower tortilla. My husband loved the squid salad. The manchego cheese was very good as was the green salad. My Malbec was only okay.
(4)Autumn L.
The place was almost magical with it's unique atmosphere. Food was great but service was not. We felt rushed and the waiter didn't seem so happy to be there. He looked almost..nervous. Other than that, everything else was great.
(4)Jesse R.
Just what the doctor ordered for Lexington. I love this place. The staff is super helpful, the booze selection solid, and the food is dope too. Amazing atmosphere and vibe. I wouldn't change a thing. The owners are super chill too.
(5)Brandon L.
Enoteca is a hidden gem on the outskirts of downtown Lexington. My fiancee and I had been there several times before, but in July of this year, we had a mini "engagement party" there on the night we got engaged. I would say there were roughly 35-40 people there in our party. The owner was incredibly hospitable and as always took a personal interest in the event which we really appreciated. The staff was ready to host us in one of the bigger rooms and the bar area, with all of the small plates and bottles of wine we had previously ordered ready to go! Would recommend for any occasion, but would especially recommend to the couple who is looking for a cool new spot in all of our favorite city!
(5)Marcus M.
This place has a nice ambience, and a great beer, wine, and booze selection. The downside -- it's a tad pretentious, and the tapas portions are small and ridiculously overpriced when you consider the quality of the food -- very average. We tried 4 different dishes, all of which were underwhelming. Not a bad experience, but I probably won't be back.
(3)Joanna S.
Love the atmosphere and the small plates are really delicious. Great place to chill with friends and a bottle of wine.
(4)Theresa B.
This was my first time visiting Enoteca, attending a special event that allowed me to sample quite a few of the Tapas and a dessert. We had 3 different cheeses, a cheddar, a goat cheese, and a Manchego. I skipped the goat cheese as I am not a fan of the stuff but the other 2 were super tasty. The cheddar is a 4 year cheddar out of Wisconsin and it was super flavorful. And the Manchego had a delightful saltiness to it. We also had a thinly sliced Serrano and Chorizo. But the Chorizo was a paprika Chorizo so it was mild and not spicy at all but had a mild smoky flavor. The Serrano was good, nothing great. It went well with the cheeses and my wine. We also had the Chorizo Puffs, which were like tiny empanadas with thicker slice of the chorizo in it. It was served with a mustard sauce. Those were my favorite and I wish I had more than just one. Super flaky crust and not too spicy. It was delicious! We also had the Patatas Bravas w/ Aioli. They were tasty but basically little potato wedges served with mayo. Think fancy french fries served European style. Next up were the Meatballs a la Madrilena. These were little meatballs served w/ a marina sauce. They were "okay". Nothing special. I'm not 100% which meat was used for the meatballs but I would guess beef or pork. The dessert we were served were the figs. Oh, the figs!!! Okay, I lied. The figs were my favorite. These are soaked in bourbon (Maker's 46) for 24 hours then they stuff them with a Marcona almond before covering them with dark chocolate. To die for!! I didn't think the bourbon flavor was too strong, it was just enough and I loved the little crunch of the almond. One thing to note: Don't try to be dainty and eat bites of it. You get chocolate all over your fingers and stuff. Just pop the whole thing in your mouth. I guess you could *try* to cut it in half. Seriously, so good. Our group sat out on the patio, which was really nice. Weather permitting, try to sit out there. They have a wonderful selection of wines, both by the glass and by the bottle. They also had a selection of beers, whiskeys, and cocktails. I'm excited to come back and try other items. I want to try their cocktail made with the "figgy" bourbon they used to soak the figs in, the Fig 46. I also want to try the Marcona almonds and the panna cotta. SPECIAL DEAL: If you check in using YELP, you get a free Patatas Bravas. Definitely worth checking in.
(5)Meg L.
I went to Enoteca for a cocktail last weekend and had a terrible experience. We sat at the bar and the bartender was extremely rude, slamming drinks and bottles around and barely acknowledging that we we're sitting there. He was complaining about the other waitstaff to customers and running around like he was the only one working there (he wasn't). I've been to enoteca before and had a good time, but the bartender completely ruined the evening for us. At a place that charges $10 cocktails, the service should have been much more professional.
(2)Jessica G.
I hadn't heard of Enoteca until I found it on yelp and I am so glad I did! My husband and used this as the first stop on our progressive dinner and it was perfect for appetizers. The patio was nice with lights and a cute little table for two. They are known for wine and tapas. We don't drink, so I can't speak to the wine, but we still loved the ambiance. The check-in patatas bravas were free and were basically perfectly cooked potato wedges. They were good. We also had the chorizo puffs, which were both of our favorite. We rounded it out with the paprika chicken skewers and which had a fresh pesto sauce for dipping. They were small plates, but you could definitely order enough to have a full meal. Everything tasted great and our service was friendly. They don't have parking anymore on Jefferson Street, but the waiter told us that there is a lot a block or so over that we could have parked in. They probably need to work on promoting that. He also told us about their new rooftop-like deck that we wondered up to see before leaving. It was really neat but no one was up there. I'm not sure if they weren't seating people there on purpose, but it would be great for a small event or gathering. Or it would be nice to just sit and eat up there. Overall, we were thrilled to have stumbled upon this place and hope to visit again!
(4)Julie G.
I wanted to love Enoteca, in the Jefferson Street corridor of downtown Lexington, but sadly the tapas and service didn't quite hit the mark for me. We ordered four different tapas (patatas bravas, Brussels sprouts in a Spanish cheese sauce, chorizo puffs and a potato quiche of sorts). None of them really wowed me. The potato quiche tasted like it had been microwaved. The patatas bravos lacked seasoning, and the aioli it was served with was pretty pedestrian and bland. Brussels sprouts and chorizo puffs were A-OK, but nothing off-the-hook and not good enough to inspire me to return in a hurry. Our server was not very educated on the menu and was unable to answer a couple of fairly generic questions about our tapas selections. He also went MIA for two or three long stretches of time. We weren't in a rush by any means, but a little more attention (or at least presence) would have been appreciated. The space is modern and lovely, and the wine list is extensive. The environment is perfect for happy hour with friends or colleagues. If atmosphere and drinks are the priority, and you don't care so much about the food, then this is your place. I hope I caught them on a off-night and based on some other reviews, maybe I did. I'd go again if someone else suggested it, but I would do so with lowered expectations and a little less enthusiasm.
(3)Tabitha H.
Romantic atmosphere makes for a great date night or drink after a long day. The bourbon infused figs are to die for. The staff is always friendly and helpful if you have any particular question about a certain type of wine or spirit.
(5)Halide T.
This is a great concept wine & tapas bar that you would more likely find in a big city, except we have this gem right in the heart of Jefferson Street. Owned by the same couple that owns Wine+Market, Enoteca provides the perfect atmosphere for your wine experience.Their tapas menu features a few traditional spanish tapas in addition to other unique options. Although the tapas menu is a bit small, they do change their menu offerings often. After several visits here with a friend of mine who cannot consume gluten, we found out that they offer a handful of things that are or can be made gluten free upon request which was definitely a plus for us. Being a wine bar, their staff knows a lot about the wines but they will also be more than happy to help you pick other drinks if you decide to skip the wine.
(4)Clara H.
Open late and very generous portions. Great "texmex" restaurant. The queso is on point and the chimichanga is fabulous.
(4)Jennifer W.
Another reason for these Californians to LOVE Lexington! Great tapas, wine and a bourbon list with a ton of street cred! Very friendly service and a great atmosphere.
(5)Eric D.
I don't know if I hit this place on a bad night, or it's consistently this bad. The service is terrible and the staff is really rude. Ordering a drink is a lengthly process and not an enjoyable expierence. If you are looking to have a nice wine date? I would look somewhere far from this place.
(1)Megan M.
Beautiful atmophere and nice selections. It is a bit pricey and not somewhere I would go frequently, but more for special occassions. The wait could have been better but it wasn't bad at all.
(4)Andrea W.
As a regular customer at Wine + Market, and a big fan of Spanish food, Enoteca does not disappoint. We ordered way too much food, because we wanted to try everything! In particular, the gazpacho is fantastic, as are the patatas bravas, but the meatballs are really something special. There's a nice wine selection, with many affordable yet excellent labels, and a nice atmosphere. Really impressed. I'm looking forward to returning for grand opening, and the promise of paella in the future!
(5)Sammy D.
Food-2 stars, ambience 4 stars, service 0 stars. Really disappointed after all of the rave reviews we saw on yelp. Here out of town. Some of the food was good. Some of the dishes were cold in the middle. The desert was great. The service was just awful. I'll finish the review when the check comes... Don't bother.
(1)Michael G.
The food is good, and there is plenty of excellent wine to try. But if you want to plan a creative event, get everything in writing and clearly established beforehand. My experience was a distasteful feeling of being taken advantage of after a handshake agreement and the idea that I could trust the managers or owners to set up the event right--instead far too much wine was put out (after having labels removed for the blind tasting) for the number of people I had said would come, and way too much food was put out. They agreed to take back some of the unopened wine, but a bit grudgingly and the final bill was certainly more than a 12-person event justified. Bitter enough taste left that I haven't returned in the past many months. It was great food and wine and good fun, but I learned my lesson: clarify how many bottles and plates with specific numbers ahead of time, and don't just trust to the moderation of the restauranteur.
(4)Hansel B.
This is a nice tapas place that recently opened. I would recommend for a business dinner and a group. The menu is small, this place is really meant for wine, but you can order plenty of tapas to fill you up. I especially like the meatballs and chorizo tapas. The white sangria is also pretty good.
(4)Jen L.
This is a great place for light fare, incredible wines and good music. I always walk away pleased!
(5)Krystle M.
I love Enoteca. End. Of. Story. Seriously though! They have a great selection of wine, bourbon & spirits with delicious tapas. The staff is awesome, especially the bartender (I forgot his name) but he was very helpful, professional & enjoyable! My husband & I will be making frequent visits while we're in town for a few months. Oh yeah, they have an adorable outdoor patio as well.
(5)Susan S.
Molto Bene !! This place reminds me of old Montalcino, Tuscany ! You can almost smell the olive trees, and red grapes waiting to be harvested ! Owners are very hospitable and their decor is very CHIC !! Geat place for first date, it is very romantic, or gather with friends, or after work DE-Stress !! Ciao !!
(5)Mindy R.
The atmosphere of this place is incredible. Very urban and just right for the Jefferson Street district. I might just live on the patio this summer with a glass of wine in my hand.
(5)Lisa S.
We have eaten here before and love it so it was no surprise that when it was time to pick a place for my happy hour birthday party I chose Enoteca. I have to say that Sean was more than willing to accommodate us. I checked in with him early in the week to give him a head count so that they were prepared. We ended up have 26 people there and mostly at once! They reserved the whole bar area and front room for our crowd. They were happy to let my friends set up my gifts and Lamp ( see picture, there is a huge backstory on it) at the end of the bar. We were there from 6pm-9:30pm and that I could tell, there was never a glitch in any of the service. They actually ran out of some food items just because people would order the chorizzo cheese puffs and then someone would see them and order them and I think that how most of the night went! I look forward to another visit really soon. since it is literally just around the corner from us and within walking distance we will be back :)
(5)Alexander D.
This was our dinner choice for our one year anniversary. We started off with two glasses of wine and each were different but were recommended and perfectly fit our taste. We checked in and got a free dish which was awesome!! We then ordered a squid salad, chorizo puffs, Patatas Bravas (free item), and the paprika chicken. The squid salad was a first for me but I wouldn't say I would order it again but it wasn't bad. The puffs were a great dish but not full of flavor. The fries were very soft and the sauce was great. The best dish we had by far was the paprika chicken! It was cooked perfectly and I would recommend that to anyone. The rub they used was unique and full of flavor. Overall it was a good restaurant in the unique food and I would recommend for you to try it out if you like to share dishes and try a bunch of different flavors.
(4)Jesica L.
I want to hug the owner and everyone having a part in creating Enoteca. I want to kiss their cheek and whisper in their ear a heartfelt, "thank you." I needed a restaurant exactly like this. Upscale but not pretentious, high end food without the high end price tag, beautiful decor, craft cocktails, and amazing service. The moment I walked through the door I was sincerely welcomed and quickly escorted to a large table near the back. We had a very attentive waiter, Chadrick, who looked like Paul Mitchell and was very pleasant. My friends and I shared a variety of tapas including manchego cheese, brussel sprouts, shrimp in garlic sauce, meatballs a la madrille, empanadas, and cauliflower au gratin. Several dishes had tiny slices of baguette that we enjoyed soaking up the last drop of sauce from the various platters. It was delicious! My drink was very tasty too and I'm a picky drinker. The triple kiss was perfectly sweet without being over the top. All in all, it was a lovely first impression of my new favorite restaurant :)
(5)Heather P.
Just as Wine Market across the street, this place is unlike any other. Apparently the two places are owned by the same people. On my first visit, I just had a glass of wine. I should've noted what the name was because it was excellent and reasonably priced. On my next visit, I was hoping to enjoy a dessert but I didn't find anything that sounded appealing. I had a cheese plate and a shot of rare bourbon. Other reviewers indicate that this place is a mostly a wine bar, but we shouldn't overlook or fail to mention that they have A LOT of bourbon to choose from...even the famous Pappy Van Winkle.
(4)Jeff D.
Fantastic food and ambiance. Enjoyed the cheese and full experience. So far this is the best restaurant that I have found in Lexington
(5)Yash G.
A few years ago this was a seedy part of town but how it has changed over the years is phenomenal. We decided to go in for a quick appetizer/drink but ended up staying for a while. I do not recall my waiters name but this guy knew what he was doing. He seated us upstairs (perfect for a cool Lexington evening) and was very helpful explaining the drink menu ( it's huge) and the various tapas. We enjoyed a few wines with cheese, Chorizo puffs and stuffed mushrooms. We ended it with chocolate figs which I would absolutely recommend. The parking was not an issue when we were there. I found some street parking fairly easily but I can see how it can be an issue for some during peak time. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Colleen C.
Two words: chorizo puffs. Do not miss out on these. I'm going to try to make them myself as an appetizer for an upcoming party. People with kids be warned: they were cool with us bringing our baby. However they do not have high chairs. You might want to save this place for date night. We're out of towners on vacation so we didn't have a choice.
(5)Glenda E.
I went with a large, very loud group. I enjoyed the tapas. Our group basically had the entire menu. I did not love the brussel sprouts, but that was the exception. I highly recommend the shrimp and grits. Several of our group loved the escargot. I think this restaurant is great for a group.
(4)Ashley M.
A great place to have a glass of wine/cocktail & a light bite to eat with friends. If you check in using YELP you get a free Patatas Bravas ;) I went for a special event and was able to sample many of the Tapas and one dessert. We had: Chorizo (mild, paprika salami from Spain), Chorizo Puffs with mustard sauce, Patatas Bravas with Aioli, Meatballs a la Madrilena and Chocolate bourbon Almond Stuffed figs. There were three cheeses. I preferred the soft, mild goat cheese which I simply cannot recall which one it was on the menu. My favorite, the Chorizo. It was thin sliced; the perfect diameter to settle on your tongue. It was smokey, not spicey but very flavor-full. My least favorite, The Meatballs. Although the Marinara was wonderful the meatball was just average. Nothing to rave about. The figs were amazing and the Bourbon not too strong. It's recommended to pair it with a cocktail, Fig 46 (see the posted photo of the menu), which is made using the Bourbon from soaking the figs for this dessert. When I go back, I'm making sure I'm not the one driving home so I can drink more, I'm eating mostly the Chorizo and I'm trying the Panna Cotta (Lemon & Raspberry). Sit on the lower pation, weather permitting, it was very charming.
(4)Teri R.
Outstanding Tapas. The Cauliflower auGrautin was outstanding. We tried numerous dishes and they were all good. The music on the top deck was great. They also have Pappy Van Winkles.
(4)Lee G.
This is just what Lexington needed. They have a wide array of tapas to try. The olives and the almonds are out of this world. You'll need to put in 3 or 4 orders if you're looking to fill up, but remember it's tapas, which is great because you can taste many different items. The cocktails are also fantastic, the bartender does an excellent job. They also have superb wine and beer selection. Very cool atmosphere and wonderful servers.
(5)Ashley L.
Beautiful and hip atmosphere. Reminds me of tapas bars in bigger cities. Great wine list and interesting charcuterie plates and other tapas to choose from. Great for a light dinner when you're indulging in libations. Beautiful patio area in a blossoming part of town.
(4)Jeff R.
Stopped in around 6:30 on a Friday night and the place was already pretty packed. Service was a bit slow. Decent tapas list. We had potatoes brava and lentil salad. Both were nice, but pricey. Limited draft list - one item. It was Gumbalhead when we were there. Overall beer list decent - lots of Evil Twin - if not extensive (why not big bottles and a few hard to get options to match the atmosphere?) Lexington needed a place like this. I'd like to see a more extensive and Spanish tapas list, maybe some octopus?
(3)Maggie M.
Incredible food, service, and wine selection. Loved every bite and sip. My favorites are the potatoes brava, bread pudding, and chorizo puffs! Enjoyed all of it in a beautiful space with intricate details. Great addition to a blooming and booming part of downtown Lexington.
(5)Elizabeth L.
Burger week and they were clearly not prepared for the onslaught. I am an innocent bystander coming here for the reviews. Waited 20 minutes before ordering or receiving drinks. Don't order cheese plate on Sunday. Bread is way too old. Food all came out at once. Cheese plate is one of those things we humor guests with, as it sis quick and easy and will tie one over until food appears. I arrived at 5:20. Eventually sitting at bar. I am leaving at 7:35. I do recommend the free potatoes and the Malbec and chorizo puff pastry. Though Nothing really WOWEd me.
(3)MacKinnon A.
While they apologized for the four hour length of our dinner due to problems with placing the order, the kitchen, and then our bill, the food did not rise to the level to remotely compensate. The downstairs is lovely, but the upstairs (where we sat) had a lunchtime hearth & home, country restaurant feel.
(1)Q H.
Very good! Great atmosphere, both inside and out on the rather large patio. Comfortable and inviting whether you intend to eat or just hang out and have a cocktail or a glass of wine. Since it's tapas, it's a great place to go and sample several different dishes to pass around the table. The ingredients are fresh and their quality superb. New tapas are offered on occasion, so it never gets stale. I am particularly fond of the meat and cheese selections (most sold in the market, W+M, across the street), meatballs, and shrimp. They are consistently delicious. For wine and cocktails, you simply cannot go wrong. The wines (also sold at W+M) are always top-notch and are reasonably priced. The cocktails are creative and overall very good, and all are made with high-quality (and often local, or at least small batch/unique) liquors. The beer selection is small, but consistently good and always expanding. Finally, the bourbon selection is immense; Kentuckians will be proud.
(5)Zach B.
In a nutshell, this place is dope. With a wine list, beer list, and alcohol list (especially bourbon) that can only be described as prolific, this is the place to go when you want a really good drink. The cocktails also are unique and as far as I know, not duplicated anywhere else in Lexington. The food was fantastic also. As a total antipasto snob, I was really impressed with the quality of the meats and cheeses- easily comparable to the fresh fare I used to eat when I lived in France and Italy. The tapas were also excellent. The place has a pretty modern decor, although the front part is a touch dark and one room is much more rustic and has a Cracker Barrel feel. In my opinion, sitting outside is the way to go. We asked our server plenty of questions about her preferences and suggestions of wines, cocktails, and food and this brilliant woman did not disappoint. Each suggestion elicited a "wow, that's good" and next time I'll probably just have her choose everything I order. All of the food was creative, unique, and delicious. I was shocked it wasn't more expensive. The chocolate Bourbon almond stuffed figs were quite a treat for desert. This place is a hidden gem in Lexington, especially for tapas and Western European inspired food.
(5)Jacob P.
A really unique dining experience. All of the tapas we had were great. Be sure to check in here on Yelp to get the patatas free.My favorites were probably the stuffed mushrooms and the Brussels sprouts. Enoteca provided a great setting to catch up with a good friend over drinks and food.
(5)Damian T.
Beautiful atmosphere, lovely "tapas" (appetizers) a nice wine selection and fun cocktails. It is a bit more formal than I'd expect for a tapas bar but we went here to celebrate a birthday so it was perfect. The place definitely has some class and the cheese! Oh my goodness the cheese, I love cheese. Another great addition to the Jefferson st scene.
(5)Katie L.
My new favorite place to go and relax with friends. I recently went with some girlfriends and the bartender made us each special, surprise cocktails. My favorite had fig-infused bourbon that they infuse in-house. Definitely a unique experience I've never had before, the hospitality put this place over the top. If you're looking for something new and creative, enoreca is your place.
(5)Neha G.
My husband and I decided to try Enoteca on a Friday night. We got there around 6:45, and while all of the tables were taken we easily found a spot at the bar as soon as we walked in. I have to say, I'm a huge fan of the atmosphere. It was quiet enough that I was able to talk to my husband without raising my voice at all. I was sitting next to a couple of women but didn't feel as though I was eavesdropping on their conversation. The bartender was very friendly, and the service was great. In addition to a few glasses of wine (all red, all delicious) we tried 4 of the tapas. The stuffed mushrooms (which were one of the tapas of the day), brussels sprouts with a manchego cheese sauce, the meatballs madrilena, and the chorizo puffs. Oh my god, the mushrooms. We ended up ordering a second round of those because of how delicious they were. Savory with an amazing white wine, butter and garlic sauce. So good. The brussels sprouts were roasted and the manchego cheese sauce was rich and creamy. The meatballs were good, but not great - the tomato sauce they came with was delicious, but to be honest I'm not a huge meatball fan so I'm not the best judge. The chorizo puffs were also ok. The mustard dipping sauce was good, but I would have liked more chorizo. That being said, we'll definitely be back. I liked that there were stars next to the wines you could walk across the street and buy. Can't wait to come back when the weather is nice and we can sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious tapas.
(4)Jason W.
Visited this reasonably new restaurant for brunch today, and was very impressed. Went with several friends and we all ordered various tapas and shared. Every single bite was surprising and delicious: layers of flavor and a wide variety of seasonings and treatments. A sausage smoked on sight with just the right amount of heat. The chorizo puffs were flaky and the sweetness matched perfectly with the sausage. Meatballs a la Madrileña were savory, tasty and disappeared in seconds. I probably ate most of the two orders of patatas bravas myself. I will take my wife here the next time we have dinner out. I can't imagine any palate not finding something delicious in this cozy, wonderful restaurant.
(5)Leslee G.
We have visited Enoteca twice now. Both times the same experience. The food is wonderful!! Don't go expecting large portions but everything we tried was delicious and a good value. SERVICE on the other hand is terrible. Both visits were beyond slow and not friendly. The servers refused to split checks for a large party and another occasion a small gathering. I find this ridiculous. I have waited tables (a long time ago) and the technology existed then to split checks......Pretty sure they can do it now. In fact, it really is part of their job to ask about checks and to be able to split the tabs.
(3)Tony A.
Went on a Friday night. The restaurant was busy but far from being slammed, in fact, for a while we were the only party in the room where we were seated. We ordered a "Dine Lexington" special for $25. The wine was included in the price of the special. When the 2 glasses of wine came out one obviously contained much less than the other. When I commented on the short pour the waitress didn't even look at the glass; she immediately replied "We do 5oz pours." When I insisted that it was far less than 5oz she took it back to the bar and returned with a full measure. Despite not being packed the waitress kept telling us that the reason the slow service was because they were so busy. I don't appreciate wait staff arguing with me when I have an issue with my order. Nor do I need excuses for poor service.
(2)Price S.
Great food, wine, and atmosphere. On a busy nite our servers were friendly and attentive. I will visit Enoteca again.
(5)K R.
Enoteca is not only a beautiful space but its just the right place to begin or end an evening on Jefferson Street. The tapas are delicious and just the right amount of food to be a teaser before dinner. Interesting wines available that you won't find elsewhere.
(5)Wes C.
The good: the food, the service, the wine, the beer, the interior. The bad: if there had to be something it would be the parking and the insulation of the building. The rundown: we ordered several tapas, all of which were delicious, esp the empanadas. They have a vast array of wines and a decent sized beer menu. They have seasonal drinks and great standards. The service is fast and friendly. The interior is definitely hipster, but with a slightly more classic and rustic feel. It is a little cold in there during the winter as it is an get building and the parking can be difficult to come by. The impression: This is a must visit for nights when you want a laid back evening. With a great food, and great drinks in a romantic setting you can't really ask for more.
(5)Andie A.
Fantastic food and ambiance! The Brussel sprouts and figs are incredible. Service was almost aloof, but the food made up for it.
(4)Ashley S.
Heaven. On Earth. Beautiful smiling people float in, almost unseen, to deliver plate after plate of delicious food. As soon as you finish one plate, a new one appears. Like magic. I was in Lexington for a conference and staying at the Hyatt Regency. Enoteca is an easy walk from the hotel. I was with a large group of people (approximately ten), and we divided our party into smaller groups to order food. I ended up in a group of four, with way too much food (so we passed it to the rest of the group). We had two pitchers of white sangria (I had only ever had red sangria, and white sangria was a nice change. Fresher and lighter). We ordered a variety of cheeses and hams, and several of the tapas. Our favorites included the Patatas Bravas (free with a yelp check-in, so no reason not to order these elevated French fries), the stuffed mushrooms, the Gambas al Ajilo (essentially shrimp and grits), and the squid salad (wow, this was good. Everyone at the table loved it, even the member of our party who initially cried, "I can't eat that; it has little tentacles!). Be sure to ask for extra bread to sop up all the garlic butter and aioli and other leftover sauces. When we left, everyone was a little bit drunk and a lotta bit stuffed and completely happy. It was the best dining experience I've had in a long time -- and it was in Lexington.
(5)Diana W.
Bourbon soaked chocolate figs. Yum!
(4)