riving up to Holly Hill Inn, you get the
feeling you are going to a friend's
house for dinner instead of one of
the most heralded restaurants in the
Bluegrass. First timers might think
their GPS has led them astray, but it
is all part of the built in charm of the
original jewel in the crown of chef
Ouita Michel's restaurant empire.
Although its current iteration be-
gan in 2001, Holly Hill Inn—which is
listed on the National Register of His-
toric Places—has a colorful history
that started in the early 1800s. Pull-
ing in the driveway is enough to make
anyone realize that the structure has
a past that well outdates your own.
Originally, the land was home to
Stevenson's Tavern, a stone and brick
structure that also became Midway,
Ky.'s first post office in 1832. Han-
cock W. Davis bought the tavern in
1939, but it was destroyed by fire.
Undeterred, Davis built a Greek Re-
vival structure, incorporating some
doors, walls, windows and fireplaces
from the original building.