Historic St. Paul supper-club steakhouse with polished service, live jazz, and strong steaks; pricey and occasionally inconsistent service pacing.
The Lexington delivers solid A-grade performance through exceptional food quality—particularly hardwood-grilled steaks and tartare—paired with polished, attentive service and a distinctive historic setting with live jazz. However, inconsistent execution during peak service and occasional pacing delays prevent the higher tier. This is a well-executed neighborhood steakhouse worth a special occasion visit, competitive with the Twin Cities' better dining destinations.
The Lexington feels like a step into St. Paul history, with warm wood-paneled rooms, a rooftop patio, and a lively jazz lounge. Service is often polished and attentive, and diners rave about steaks and tartare. As one guest put it, "It felt like a special night from the moment we walked in." The kitchen leans classic steakhouse with a contemporary edge, delivering hardwood-grilled cuts, seafood starters, and composed specials. This is ideal for celebrations and date nights where cocktails and pacing matter. Pricing is premium, but many feel the quality, setting, and service justify the splurge, despite occasional pacing hiccups on packed evenings. Families do fine here thanks to familiar steakhouse staples and flexible staff. Reviews mention birthday ice cream, mocktails for kids, and simple sides like potatoes and fries. There is no explicit kids menu noted, but straightforward dishes and kind service make it approachable for well-behaved young diners.
Area vibe: Historic Grand Avenue corridor with boutiques and classic homes; draws date nights, celebrations, and event diners.
Safety: Generally safe, well-traveled area; isolated valet-related theft allegation noted in one review.
What's nearby: Near Grand Ave shops, cafes, and bars; rooftop and jazz lounge attract evening crowds.
Expect smart-casual dress, limited street parking with valet available, and potentially slow mains on busy nights.
A historic, wood-paneled supper-club vibe with a lively bar and rooftop patio creates both intimate dining and buzzy nightlife options.