Lexington's downtown French bistro is a convivial place, given to conversation and good food. It shares a name with the city's stylish sister town in Normandy, and it's become quite a culinary destination for folks in the area. Seared foie gras and steamed mussels serve as an apt introduction to dishes like grilled lamb chops, duck confit, and steak frites. Sauteed chicken and seared salmon or scallops also bridge the culinary terrain between comfort food and gourmet fare.

Elegant without being stuffy, Le Toulouse seeks to find the balance between serving exceptional food and being a place where diners can relax without fear of choosing the wrong fork. The romantic restaurant is doing a good job at it, and the menu, grounded in French culinary technique, offers moules frites, bouillabaisse, and cassoulet, among others. The kitchen revels in premium ingredients, including wild boar and lots of fresh vegetables, so expect fantastic fare, no matter what season you drop in.