News Summary
Ember Restaurant has launched its upscale dining experience in downtown Lexington. Located at 101 W. Main St., Ember offers a menu featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood, curated by local restaurateurs. With reservations available online, the restaurant aims to provide a unique dining atmosphere reminiscent of big-city vibes, complete with a signature wood-ember grill and plans for future expansions.
Lexington – Ember Restaurant has officially opened its doors in downtown Lexington, providing an upscale dining experience at 101 W. Main St., right next to the Icehouse Amphitheater. The restaurant celebrated its soft opening on June 4, 2025, and operates on a reservation-only basis through the online platform Resy.
Founded by a trio of local restaurateurs, Ember marks the first venture of The Foundry Hospitality Group, which is headquartered in Columbia. The ownership team consists of Steve Cook, co-owner of Saluda’s; Joe Walker, a former Richland County Councilman and multi-unit restaurant operator; and Ryan Jones, the former general manager of Hall’s Chophouse. Together, they aim to create a dining environment that introduces a big-city vibe to the Lexington area.
Ember is designed to seat 110 guests, supported by a dedicated staff of 35. The restaurant features a signature wood-ember grill that is intended to enhance the flavors of its steaks and seafood offerings. The interior boasts a design that includes dark woods and gold accents, achieving a contemporary yet classic aesthetic described as “almost mid-century modern.”
In a future expansion phase, an all-weather patio capable of accommodating approximately 50 additional patrons is planned. The menu highlights a range of options such as aged, hand-cut steaks, sustainably sourced seafood, and in-house made pastas, along with signature dishes like beef short ribs and a seafood tower. The cocktail menu, curated by General Manager Liz Chastain, is set to change seasonally, featuring creative cocktails such as the “One-Oh-One” and “View from the Top.”
The management has expressed a commitment to evolve the restaurant’s menu based on customer feedback, ensuring that popular items are retained while others are updated periodically. The ownership team has also successfully filled all staffing positions, noting the rich talent pool available in the local area.
Steve Cook, a respected figure in the local dining scene and a 2024 Restaurant Hall of Fame Inductee, is among the partners who have owned multiple restaurants in Columbia. The overall goal for Ember is to curate a unique dining experience that feels both upscale and comfortable, enabling patrons to savor an ambiance reminiscent of urban dining.
Ember Restaurant is now positioned to become a notable destination in Lexington’s culinary landscape, inviting local residents and visitors to explore its diverse menu offerings and distinct atmosphere.
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Additional Resources
- Columbia Business Report
- The State
- Post and Courier
- Cola Daily
- The State
- Wikipedia: Lexington, South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington
- Google Search: Ember Restaurant Lexington
- Google News: Ember Restaurant Opening
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Steakhouse
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
