Photo courtesy of Ranadas.com
The sign of a good chef is the following he/she generates, and Chef Ranada Riley has a loyal fan base that would pretty much follow her anywhere. You can count me among them! After leaving Lexington Diner, I was eagerly anticipating the announcement of her next venture. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long. In November of 2018, I was thrilled to learn that she was opening her own place in the former Walker's space on Old Vine Street. Having been now on a couple of occasions, I can honestly tell you that the venue and food are both outstanding and you simply must put it on your rotating repertoire of favorite restaurants.
Having worked in some amazing restaurants throughout her career, Chef Ranada has honed her skills and now is able to finally put her signature touch on everything at Ranada's Bistro and Bar. From the artwork on the walls all procured from local artists to the menu selections which fuse perfectly together traditional Southern cuisine with more exotic flavors of Thai and Indian, she knows how to make you feel quite at home, but at the same time transporting you to faraway lands where every sensation is enhanced.
The food would stand alone and merit every accolade you could bestow on it, but really, for me, it's the entire experience that keeps me wanting to return. The special events that Ranada's offers are real crowd-pleasers. They offer an exquisite brunch on the weekend with a seasonal menu; weekly specials; happy hour from 2-6 Monday through Friday; Wine, Women and Song every Wednesday; and live music for your dining pleasure. Be sure to follow their Facebook page for a list of all of their upcoming events because you don't want to miss a thing!
Come see what people are discovering all over town, that Chef Ranada Riley has come into her own and we, as the dining public, are the gleeful recipients of her talents! To find out more about her, read this article from our friends at Tops in Lex here, plus get her recipe for her bourbon bacon jam. Yummy!