Phantom Gourmet: Vine Brook Tavern In Lexington

The Daily Meal Staff|

LEXINGTON (CBS) – The Phantom Gourmet found a blend of new and old favorites at a tavern in Lexington.

The building dates back to the 1800s but the menu is completely current at Vine Brook Tavern, a true American eatery and wine bar located in historic Lexington.

With a casual tap room downstairs, and a maze of intimate dining rooms upstairs, owner /operator Marcus Palmer designed Vine Brook to be all things to all people.

"We tried to bring the building itself back to its original state. So the exposed wood ceilings, the beams, iron work when we can, wood floors, custom-made wood tables," Palmer explained.

"Twenty-four wines by the glass, 24 beers, bar bites, appetizers, entrees and lots of additions to the menu every day. And the philosophy behind it was that we didn't want to give anyone a reason not to come here," he said.

Executive Chef Chris Frothingham serves a blend of nostalgic New England cuisine and modern New American favorites.

"I think we bill ourselves as an American eatery, so it's sort ot everything American," Frothingham said. "It's comfort food. It's the menu that you can walk in and find the things that you recognize and hopefully we'll put a twist on it and so it's something that you're familiar with but not something you'd make at home."

Some of his signature dishes include the creative sweet and sour calamari frites, housemade hummus with spicy shrimp, classic New England clam chowder, and one of the best burgers you can find outside the city.

Add in made-from-scratch desserts like a decadent s'mores creme brûlée with flambeed marshmallows and you have yet another reason why Lexington is the birthplace of American liberty and luscious food.

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.

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