With A Menu Inspired By The Bounty Of The Bluegrass, Zim's Cafe Proves There's No Place Like Kentucky
By Sarah McCosham|Published July 15, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Kentucky has really come into its own in the culinary arena in recent years. In addition to being the setting for “Top Chef” Kentucky, the Bluegrass has inspired many award-winning chefs to stay and put down roots here, too, as you’ll discover with the following farm-to-table restaurant. Zim’s Cafe is a delightful restaurant led by eight-time James Beard nominee and proud Kentuckian Chef Ouita Michel, and its menu is one big homage to Kentucky.
Chef Ouita Michel opened Zim's Cafe in the historic Fayette County Courthouse in Lexington, Kentucky, in 2018. Constructed in 1899, the courthouse has always an inextricable part of the city; a visual, architectural, and cultural landmark in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky.
In 2016 the decision was made to rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the historic building, transforming it into a hub of public and private market-driven activity. The renovated building opened in late 2018, with Zim's a proud tenant.
Everything about Zim's feels like an homage to the Bluegrass State, from its historic location and incomparable service to the very menu items themselves.
Zim’s Cafe honors Michel's Great-Grandpa Zim, who "fed his family with vegetables from his garden, and found fun around every corner." Her Great-Grandpa would be very proud of Zim's.
Chef Ouita takes inspiration from everything about Kentucky: its kind people, vegetal bounty, stunning scenery, and four seasons. The Summer Burrata, for example, features fresh, creamy burrata drizzled with balsamic and basil and served with marinated farmer's market tomatoes.
Many of the names of the dishes at Zim's are inspired by Kentucky, too, as with the Bluegrass Benedict. Featuring a toasted English muffin, poached, eggs, hollandaise and two Kentucky specialities -- pimento cheese and country ham -- you've never had a breakfast Benedict like this before.
The menu is, of course, peppered with Kentucky classics; the fried chicken is a must-try. Dubbed "Dr. P's Crispy Chicken," this 'wich features perfectly seasoned buttermilk-marinated chicken breast, dredged and fried into crispy-crunchy-crackly perfection. And with lettuce, tomato, special sauce, and honey dijonnaise, it's perhaps the *best* fried chicken sandwich in Kentucky.
There's a hot brown on the menu, too, and it's one that would make Fred Schmidt swoon: open-faced toasted white bread layered with sliced roast turkey, city ham, white cheddar mornay, Stone Cross bacon, parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes.
This warm and welcoming hospitality can be felt with the variety of menu options, too, as with this hand-formed quinoa and black bean burger that's an amazing option for vegetarians.
When you cook with love, it shows. Zim's Cafe is a place steeped in deep, heartfelt love: love for family, food, culture, history, and, most importantly, Kentucky. Chef Ouita Michel is doing great things for the Bluegrass State, and we're so lucky to have her leading the culinary charge!
