We visited this smokehouse and bar to see (and taste) what all the hype's about.
Lexington Smokehouse and Bar
356 Richmond Road
Sunday to Tuesday: 5 pm to 9 pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 5 to 10 pm
Friday & Saturday: 5 pm to 11 pm
Parking: Park along Richmond Road or in the neighborhood. It can be tricky to find parking in this part of town.
Lexington Smokehouse and Bar opened in 2018, bringing North Carolina’s barbecue to Ottawa. Though I’ve been to North Carolina (once, for 24 hours), I didn’t get the chance to try their delicious BBQ. Fortunately, Lexington filled me in on what I missed.
There are some great choices for dine-in smokehouses in the region (Fatboy, SmoQue, BBQ Shop); however, a few things set this establishment apart and make it one of Westboro’s most consistent draws. Lexington is, for lack of a better word, more refined.
For one, the decor is a bit more upscale, thanks to the absence of wall-mounted TVs and a more thoughtful interior design that leans towards moody yet modern, like a fine western saloon, all while keeping the rustic flair one expects at a BBQ restaurant.
One side is a brick wall painted white, the other is a matte black wall with wooden floating shelves filled with books and random items. Edison bulbs on black pendant lights provide a warm, rustic vibe to the room, while tea candles at every table make the place feel cozy. Notwithstanding, the overall lighting is more restaurant-like than lounge: dim but not obscure.
The service that evening was great. A hostess greeted us upon entering and brought us to our table. Banquettes and stools make up the majority of the seating options. I observed a private dining room near the back of the restaurant where a group of friends was having a blast. We sat at one of the many high tables, giving us a great view of the bar area. The bar shelves at Lexington are truly impressive: steel shelving units coated in black run all the way down the wall behind the bar, housing an incalculable amount of spirits, liqueurs, and red wines of all kinds.
Once seated, our server was Mathéo. He knew his way around the food as well as all the cocktails on (and off) the menu. Our glasses were filled with water, and a bottle was left at the table. We then started to think about our first sip of the evening.
I opened the leather-bound cocktail menu to find ten signature cocktails, priced between 17$ and 19$. The libations were made from intriguing ingredients such as blood orange demerara syrup, spiced blueberry syrup, strawberry shrub, and fig-infused late harvest port. There was also a smoked cocktail, which, beyond being impressive to watch, was very fitting for a smokehouse. There were some Lexington classics as well as a few seasonal libations. Furthermore, quality spirits were always employed, and no ingredients were listed twice on the menu. It’s a cocktail list that rivals some of the city’s most popular watering holes.
The cocktails were all served in interesting glassware (heavy tumblers, jars, and tin cups) that elevated the drinks. We ordered a few signature cocktails that evening:
Life in the clouds (19$): this cocktail was our favorite that evening. It began with a smoke show, as it was poured over ice from a glass container into a stemmed glass. It was not only smoky on the nose, but also within every sip. The drink was perfectly sweetened, whisky-forward yet smooth, with some bitterness to it.
Victory Lap (17$): This cocktail was sweet but well-balanced. The rye & port were present and played well together. The red wine brought a warmth that gave it an autumn feel. It was garnished with a thin slice of dehydrated apple.
Red River Reviver (17$): This off-menu signature cocktail at Lexington tasted like a delicate balance of grapefruit juice and smooth alcohol. It was sweet and slightly bitter, ideal as a dessert cocktail or for those who prefer sweeter cocktails.
Hail Caesar (19$): Lexington’s Caesar came with show-stopping garnishes, including olives, a lime wedge, pickle slices, and a fried chicken finger. It was a decent Caesar and unique thanks to its strong pickle taste.
Smoked chicken wings (17$): this starter hads six nice-sized wings. They were delicious: nicely smoked and perfectly salted. The wings came with a white sauce and a mildly spicy salsa.
Smoked Duck Pappardelle (26$): this main dish featured pulled duck and pasta. It was savory with a hint of sweetness and had a runny egg on top. It was delicious, but in hindsight, not the best way to fully enjoy smoked duck, as it got lost within the other components of the dish.
BBQ Platter (45$): This is probably the best plate to fully appreciate Lexington. We ordered two BBQ plates, allowing us to try the house pork ribs, beef brisket, toasted cornbread, fresh cut fries, mac n’ cheese, and fried brussels sprouts with bacon aioli. Everything was great, nicely smoked and tender.
