AZUR and Kentucky Monthly Magazine

The August issue of Kentucky Magazine is out and AZUR was fortunate to be the featured restaurant. We are pleased that the author was able to capture our concept in print. She used the word "harmony" to describe her experiences. We appreciate the compliment and try very hard every day to bring a positive dining experience to everyone. Please read the article if you see the issue in a bookstore or on some one's coffee table because it really tells AZUR's story. If you are out of the area, we would be happy to forward a digital copy or you can view online at http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/

AZUR the Trotter

Recently, AZUR restaurant & patio learned that a standard bred horse was named after our Lexington, Kentucky restaurant. Azur, the trotter, may have a chance to win the $700,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Night of Champions next Friday night at the Meadowlands. We'll be watching from Lexington on August 2 if Azur qualifies for the race. Good luck Azur! See press details below.

Night of Champions is next goal for Azur
It is no blue-sky dream to think that Azur could be celebrating a victory in the $700,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Night of Champions next Friday night at the Meadowlands.

The son of Self Possessed advances to the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings off of victories in the second and third preliminary rounds, improving his record to four wins and four seconds in nine starts in 2008.

This year, for the first time, the New Jersey Sire Stakes [NJSS] program will crown all of its three-year-old pacing and trotting champions at the Meadowlands on one night – June 20 -- with purses totaling $700,000.

Unraced at two, the New Jersey-sired son of Self Possessed – Victory Please has earned $48,040 for Verlin D. Yoder of Columbia City, IN, who had trained and driven the colt while he was racing at Hoosier Park in Indiana.

A one-time Lexington Selected Sale yearling purchase for $75,000, Azur changed hands last summer for $6,500 at the Tattersalls July Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands when Pinnacle Racing Stable of Canfield, OH purchased him from Brittany Farms and Jerry Silva. Yoder acquired the colt on November 10, 2007 at the Harrisburg Mixed Sale for $15,000.

In New Jersey, the trotter was entrusted to trainer Walter Carroll and driver Brian Sears. He made his Meadowlands debut on May 26, finishing second by three-quarters of a length in the opening round of NJSS on May 26. He stopped the clock in 1:54.3 in the second week of prelims and matched that career best in a nose tally over Kajan Kooker [Self Possessed] in the third leg on Thursday night [June 12].

Other prelim round winners eligible to join the final 10 include Celebrity Secret [Yankee Glide], Nautical Notion [Self Possessed], Fuel My Muscles [Muscles Yankee] and Cloud Casino [Dream Vacation].

The New Jersey Sire Stakes records for three-year-old trotters are 1:53.3 for colts, shared by New York Yank [by Yankee Glide, June 23, 2005] and Operation Lindy [by Enjoy Lavec, June 14, 2007] and 1:54.1 for geldings set by Green Day [Enjoy Lavec] on June 7, 2007.
Carol Hodes

Guest Perspective of AZUR Experience

We found this guest's posting of his dining experiences at AZUR on a national food rating website and had to share it because this customer totally understood what we envisioned for AZUR almost five years ago.

"Azur is a bit of Napa Valley in the heartland of Kentucky. Actually, it's a lot of Napa Valley --- close your eyes, take a bite, wake up and you might think you're at Mustards bistro in Napa Valley... that's an honest comparison. I've now been here 3 times, and each time it just gets better."

"I used to be afraid of the food shock when coming home to Lexington from San Fran. No more. Lexingtonians take solace in knowing that the 30-40 dollar meal you just had at Azur would cost you easily upwards of 70 dollars in Napa Valley --- and Azur's quality and innovation are on par with the most famous and popular of Napa Valley's bistros."

"Lexington is no longer bland ... it has finally expanded its culinary breadth and moved into innovative, new California-style cuisine. THANK YOU, AZUR!"

AZUR humbly thanks you for sharing. We really appreciate it.

What is Grassroots Marketing?

In the world of independent restaurant marketing like that of AZUR, it means a low cost or no cost marketing technique that helps spread the word about what we are about. One of the best grassroots advertising methods for us is our customers telling others about the positive dining experiences they have had. AZUR greatly appreciates those guests that tell others about us and we could not buy that type of advertising. In fact, we cannot afford to purchase advertising at the level that the chain restaurants are capable of. We also rely on house-made flyers to communicate our Chef Series dinners and email addresses provided by our guests who wish to be informed of specialty dinners or musical performances. Finally, AZUR posts events on no cost web sites that promote local activities.

AZUR July Chef Series Americana Pique-Nique

We are just a week away from our July Chef Series Americana Pique-Nique (picnic). This four course dinner will be held on the patio in true picnic fashion and will include: nachos, corn dogs, BBQ and S'mores with a gourmet twist (see full menu below). Cost is $30 per person and includes Kentucky blackberry iced tea, lemomade or hard cider. This is a great summer outing to share with family and friends. Make your reservations and mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 29th at 6:30 p.m. For reservations, please call 859-296-1007.

The Americana Menu:
First Course:Blue chip nachos with lobster-white cheddar dipping sauce, house-made pickled jalapeno, hierloom tomato-smoked scallion salsa and tartar-style sour cream

Second Course:Sea bass and crab corn dogs with crinkle cut white truffle fries, wasabi mustard and guava catsup

Third Course:Pulled turkey BBQ on white lily cream biscuits with jalapeno-peach cole slaw

Fourth Course:Ginger graham craker, Caulebut dark chocolate and cinnamon scented marshmallow s'more

Indulge yourself with second helpings (we won't tell).

Another AZUR Guest Tip

If you are interested in the specialty dinners (Chef Series) which are the themed dinners presented throughout the year or just want to know what's going on at AZUR, you need to furnish your email address on one of the comment cards. We realize our regular guests may overlook them but they are located in the check presenters. Once you have filled one out, you will be added to our email list which includes: notices of the Chef Series dinners, music schedules and other interesting news.

Why AZUR Cares?

Being an independently owned restaurant, we care about everything. AZUR agonizes over every decision wondering how it will effect our guests and is in the best decision. Since we really cannot afford to test market or poll large groups for their responses, we rely heavily on customer comments both verbal and written. We truly want everyone to have the best experience because we are proud of our single restaurant. The owners are in constant contact throughout the day and night discussing performance and how we can improve. We are not sure how other restaurant operators feel but to us, AZUR has feelings and personality.

What is Customer Service?

Most people have a predetermined idea of customer service. If asked, they would respond with prompt attention to needs, pleasant server, fast delivery of their order or well timed. At AZUR, we believe all of these are necessary for good customer service and more. We try not to use the word "no" if at all possible. If you want something that is not on the menu, we will try to accommodate your request providing we have the ingredients and you have the time for it to be prepared. This is one of the advantages of having chefs in the kitchen. Our servers work to exceed your expectations of good customer service. If we make a mistake and we all do from time to time, we will correct it.

If you wish to share your ideas of good customer service with AZUR, please send us an email. We would love to read them.

AZUR and Seafood

Oddly enough, AZUR had not planned on being known for seafood; however, many of our guests remark about our seafood offerings. For us, it's another example of how fresh product in the kitchen translates to the table. From the beginning, we have offered an eclectic mix of entrees with interesting twists. The Woven Shrimp dinner entree developed by Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby has been extremely popular since it's introduction a few weeks ago. AZUR admits that we have several choices in the seafood category but we also offer veal, rabbit, beef, pork and bison.

The Economic Challenge at AZUR

Like everyone else, AZUR faces the daily challenges of this economy. It seems every vendor raises their prices with every delivery. Our challenge is to maintain the highest food quality and service while holding our menu prices the best we can. We look for creative ways to cut unnecessary expenses and attempt to structure our service to meet the unknown daily demands. As an independent restaurant, AZUR realizes that we share this same struggle with our neighbors and friends. Perhaps, it's times like these that bring a community closer and make it stronger.

AZUR Server Meeting

Today, AZUR met with the servers to discuss issues relating to day-to-day business. Several times throughout the year we get together to just talk. The most pleasing part of the meeting is listening to seasoned servers point out the little details to the newer servers. It's really nice to know that they understand the importance of the details and makes you proud.

How Did AZUR Begin?

Well, we would like to say that it was easy but that would not be the truth. Originally, we planned to purchase an existing restaurant but that deal fell through. For a short while, we stopped planning and accepted that our quest was over. Then, we were approached by a local developer about a location which was formally a real estate office. The "would be" owners started meeting again at least once a week for several hours. At the same time, we continued lease negotiations and met with a general contractor to discuss a brand new restaurant design. This routine continued for several months while we planned the space, formulated menus, and developed the concept. Additionally, we wrote a detailed business plan and started the process of securing the financing to build AZUR. Finally, everything came together almost a year later. We signed the lease and the building contract within hours of each other on a Friday. The demolition started the following Monday. AZUR restaurant & patio was born on December 31, 2004!

AZUR - Where Casual Meets Elegant

Several years ago, AZUR developed the tag line "contemporary elegance at its best" to describe ourselves. This is still very true. We believe that our guests don't want plain but don't want stuffy either. They want a balance of formal service and fine cuisine within a comfortable yet sophisticated setting. At AZUR, our chefs create artful food presentations with fresh ingredients while maintaining a common touch. Our decor matches the food as well. The walls are boldly painted and the furnishings are a mixture of wood and metal. We are not trying to duplicate the past or others rather creating our own future. AZUR realizes that some things we try will fail but that's okay because we are not afraid to try.

Old Friends at AZUR

At AZUR, we delight in seeing old friends that have not been able to stop in for a while. As an independent restaurant, our business is more than just serving meals. It is also very social. We share a part of us with our guests and vice versa. Last night, we had a couple of guests that we had not seen in several months and enjoyed getting caught up with them. Actually, it made the night for us! We suppose that would seem strange to some but that's hospitality.

AZUR Magic Formula

AZUR developed a simple formula long before we opened our doors. It has three key ingredients. They are: food quality, service and atmosphere. We are sure that some restaurants survive without one of them but we felt like all of them must be present for long term success. AZUR's challenge is to combine the ingredients correctly for each and every guest. Though on the surface it sounds easy, in fact, it is not. Each guest brings different expectations and has different taste preferences. As an independent restaurant, we seek to please the individuality of our patrons. And because we do care about everyone personal experience, we are never satisfied with the formula. AZUR strives to always make it better.

AZUR Guest Tip

There is no question that AZUR gets quite busy at times but there are still times that are slower than others. If you want a quiet escape for lunch, we recommend Saturday at lunch. Since many of the business offices are closed on Saturday around us, it's the perfect time to share a lunch for two or even have a family get together. Normally, you will have your choice of the patio or the dining room. Another great time for dinner is Sunday night. Not only are there less patrons and the same quality of food and service but we also offer live music. So if you like dining out with less of a crowd, you still have options at AZUR.

AZUR Team Takes Red Ribbon In Waiter's Race

During the Independence Day festivities, two teams competed in the Waiter's Race. AZUR was fortunate to receive a red ribbon (2nd place). Congratulations to Kyle & Amanda for their ribbon winning finish and Ruth & Joe for their solid performance. Also, we greatly appreciate the support of several servers and regulars on the sidelines. It was a great turnout for the event! Definitely a lot of AZUR pride.

Fourth of July Weekend at AZUR

AZUR will be closed on Friday, July 4th so our staff may spend the holiday with their families and friends. We will have two teams competing in the "Waiter's Races" at noon in downtown Lexington. AZUR will re-open for lunch on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. On Saturday evening, we will host "Triple Play" on the patio. This local rock band features Fred Siegelman (Mayor of Versailles). They will play from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Do Higher Gas Prices Effect AZUR?

Absolutely! Just as individuals have seen higher prices at the grocery store, AZUR has experienced increases in dairy, meats and produce. Additionally, vendors have increased stop charges and assess fuel sur-charges to every delivery. Another result of the higher gas prices is the "stay at home" effect. People elect to save money by cutting back on extraneous expenses.