This week, we start with a new restaurant that does it all – breakfast, lunch and dinner. A Mexican dessert and drink shop follows, and we finish with Japanese cuisine and sushi. This Streetscapes is a winding one in and on Dixie Highway in Florence, y’all.
Spear Ridge Cafe
Spear Ridge Cafe is the newest addition to the Florence area. It crafts classic comfort dishes for all meals in modern, yet rustic, decor. The barn-inspired look pays homage to Kentucky heritage. A wraparound porch offers outdoor casual seating, while the interior offers elevated comfort.
As impressive as the decor is, a restaurant’s main draw is its food. Spear Ridge features classic American dishes with a nod to Southern comfort favorites. Breakfast options include sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and French toast.
Lunch and dinner options are more lengthy, including soups, salads, wraps and flatbreads. Spear Ridge’s specialty dishes, though, are its smash burgers and race day sandwiches. The Cowboy Killer is one of the signature items. It’s a blackened smash burger topped with pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeño chips and a mango habañero spread. Signature sandwiches include a catfish po’boy and country ham and pimento. The Winners Circle Club is the Spear Ridge version of a traditional club sandwich, a great option for those wanting something simple and satisfying.
This is a great, quick stop to relax and enjoy the best aspects of Kentucky comfort.
Fruitland
“Healthful” and “dessert” don’t always coincide, but at Fruitland there’s no need to choose between a sweet treat and a good-for-you snack. This fruteria serves ice cream, fruit salads, fresh fruit drinks and Mexican street snacks. Its Mangonadas are top sellers, with mango ice cream topped with mango chunks, chamoy sauce and Tajin. The chili-lime seasoning adds some spice to the sweet mango for a mix of flavors.
Agua de fresa is another popular fruit-based drink. The subtly sweet strawberry beverage is the original “pink drink” that fueled the Starbucks craze. Here it’s authentic and fresh. There also are ample choices of ice cream for the sweet tooth and fresh fruit salads for a more healthful alternative.
Besides desserts and drinks, Fruitland features Mexican street snacks: walking tacos, esquites, loaded ramen for savory snacks that will balance out the sweet treats.
Housed in a small strip mall, it can be easy to miss Fruitland in bustling Florence, but a colorful banner along Dixie Highway signals drivers that sweet treats are waiting inside.
Matsuya Japanese Restaurant
Matsuya Japanese Restaurant is an ideal spot for guests looking to immerse themselves in Japanese cuisine and culture. It features a full sushi bar and Japanese favorites like tempura, gyoza and noodles. Its menu thoughtfully explains each dish, so newcomers can easily find the dishes that best fit their taste.
Matsuya’s massive menu is great for sampling and sharing, but for those who want a full Japanese dining experience to themselves, opt for the kaiseki. Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese full-course meal, a fun experience for those with an appetite who want to indulge in a relaxed and slow paced meal.
Matsuya also houses a tatami room that can be reserved for large parties. It offers traditional low tables and floor-level seating. The space has a rustic look adorned with Japanese relics and decor.
To pair with its meals, Matsuya serves Japanese beer, sake and shochu.
What To Know If You Go
Spear Ridge Cafe
Location: 7301 Industrial Road, Florence
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Website: spearridge.com
Phone: 859-869-0018
Fruitland
Location: 10136 Dixie Highway, Florence
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m.
Phone: 859-817-0344
Matsuya Japanese Restaurant
Location: 7149 Manderlay Drive, Florence
Hours: Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 11a.m.- 2 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.; Wednesday, closed; Saturday, 4:30-10 p.m.; Sunday 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Website: sites.google.com/view/matsuyajp/home
Phone: 859-746-1199