As The Lexington turns 90, a public celebration and a new chef

In the restaurant business, it often seems like the only constant is change.

Although The Lexington has remained a stable force in the St. Paul culinary scene for nearly a century, it has endured, and continues to endure, a constant churn behind the scenes.

As the restaurant approaches its 90th anniversary, the staff is planning for a big blowout event (you’re invited, too!) with a new chef and ownership that has shuffled again in the past few years.

Chef Lawrence Kirkland, who started just a few months ago, is still getting his sea legs running the 22,000-square-foot restaurant and event space, making small changes to the dessert menu and running seafood specials that hint at new items that he might add to the main menu. As if that isn’t enough, he’s been in charge of creating an event