LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The former downtown pit is now the site of a pristine addition to Lexington's downtown skyline, complete with hotels, offices, and restaurants.
There is excitement with a new eatery coming to City Center. ItalX will be located right the corner of West Main Street.
While the world outside has slowed due the pandemic, construction is continuing inside the restaurant.
"It's a beautiful space, and we're really looking forward to inviting our guests into this space for the first time," said TJ Cox, ItalX director of operations.
Unfortunately, Cox and chef Jonathan Lundy don't know when that "first time" will be.
"This is a whole new world that we'll be opening a new restaurant into. So we have to be open-minded," said Cox.
Through the uncertainty of what opening during a pandemic looks like, they are preparing, and getting excited, for their new restaurant opening in City Center.
"The manufacturing of the pasta is what's exciting me, and we'll have a special area for that," said Lundy.
"Obviously social distancing, yes we'll have some concerns about how close tables are to other guests, and that sort of thing. So we'll be very privy to that, and again, making sure we're abiding by the rules and regulations that are set out for us. But we want to make sure that our guests feel safe and comfortable when they come in and join us for dinner," said Cox.
Lundy says ItalX will have 275 Italian wine bottles in their wine cave, and will be an open-air concept Mediterranean bistro right in the heart of downtown Lexington.
"We've had this on our brain for so long. You know, when that first plate hits the table, that's just going to give me all the feels," said Cox. "I just can't wait for that."
Construction could be complete in the next 30 days or so, but the question at that point turns to when will people be able to experience the restaurant.
