Shrimp and Crab Fritters
The biggest question here is what to get?? I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on their menu from steaks, seafood, burgers, and even sushi. They have an everchanging seasonal chef’s features menu, which has some interesting concoctions that usually don’t disappoint. On my last visit to Malone’s, I tried a couple items off this menu, both of which were delicious. For starters I tried the Shrimp and Crab Fritters. These were fried hushpuppies with rock shrimp, lump crab, and a jalapeno-chive cornmeal. Let me say, you definitely notice the shrimp and the crab throughout these fritters, so I felt like I wasn’t just eating cornmeal. They are served with a lemon-ginger tartar which was great, but the favorite at the table was the sweet habanero sauce. This needs to be on their menu for a dipping sauce, sweet heat and delicious!
Campfire Lemon Blackberry Cobbler
The next thing I tried on the chef’s feature menu was the Campfire Lemon Blackberry Cobbler. My taste buds exploded on this one! I could have eaten the whole thing myself. The lemon flavor came through nicely, not overbearing. The macerated blackberries were plump and juicy, along with chunks of white chocolate throughout served warm with vanilla ice cream. It wasn’t too heavy of a dessert, and absolutely needs to be a staple on the menu!
Wagyu Kobe Burger
The Wagyu Kobe Burger is really good, but for the price, I would opt for the steak. The french fries are some of the best fries, crispy, well-seasoned, and very addicting.
Filet Combo with Fried Shrimp & Gruyere Potato Croquettes
I often opt for the Filet Combos to get the best of both worlds. This comes with jumbo shrimp (fried or blackened), their famous bottomless Lexingtonian salad, and a side. Yes, you read that correctly. The salad is bottomless and comes served with chilled plates. Dressing is mixed in well throughout, and the bacon bits are real bacon. You can eat as much as you would like, and you could basically fill up on the salad and French bread. The filet is probably the best steak I have eaten at any steak house, even though it is only 4.5 oz in this combo. It is well-seasoned, impeccable flavor, tender, and almost melts in your mouth. The side consists of any of the classic sides, or for a small upcharge you can get one of the signature sides. Let me just say, the Gruyere Potato Croquettes are a favorite, crispy on the outside, but cheesy and creamy on the inside.
Specialty Platter
If you’re not in the mood for surf and turf, you can opt for some sushi. I often opt for their Specialty Platter which comes with three rolls, including the Dynamite, Crab Rangoon, and the Chicago. This is large enough to share, and I often end up taking some home for a late-night snack or lunch the next day. The Dynamite roll is topped with tempura shrimp tossed in a sweet chili and spicy mayo and is one of my favorites. The Chicago is my next favorite, with filet mignon, tempura asparagus, and cream cheese. It is a little on the milder side, but is delicious. The Crab Rangoon is good, but it is tempura fried, which I normally don’t eat due to the tempura being so dense. However, this roll isn’t heavy and is actually on the lighter side for being a tempura roll. It has good flavors and is topped with sweet chili sauce.
Malone’s in Lexington is connected with Harry’s, which I have not yet tried. It’s difficult to opt for Harry’s when Malone’s is always fantastic! Maybe one of these days. Malone’s atmosphere is family friendly or can be an excellent date night spot. The walls are adorned with numerous signatures and handwritten notes from celebrities and athletes who have enjoyed eating here. I have to say, overall, Malone’s is becoming one of my favorite restaurants, and I’m excited to learn one is scheduled to open in Chattanooga this fall!
For another Lexington restaurant review, click here!
-Tennessee Taster
