NOSHING ON NOSTALGIA Zim’s Café and The Thirsty Fox Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andrew Kung When I sat down with chef/restaurateur Ouita Michel to discuss her latest endeavor—Zim’s Café and The Thirsty Fox— she spoke excitedly about a menu she was devising for a special event. Not just any menu mind you, but one with a Renaissance theme that had her pouring over history books for period-perfect inspiration to create a spread she envisioned to rival an Old Master painting. This level of enthusiasm and enduring passion for her craft endears her not only to her staff (now 220 and counting as part of her culinary realm), but also to the legions of fans who appreciate the authenticity and mindfulness behind her varied restaurant and catering enterprises. Michel is passionate about the Commonwealth, and about supporting its farmers and suppliers. “Last year our company used more than 125,000 pounds of Kentucky Proud ground beef,” she said as I ogled the mouthwatering Santa Anita burger positioned under the photographer’s lens during a photoshoot at Zim’s Café. Located in the former Fayette County courthouse, which is fresh off of a four-year, $32 million restoration, Zim’s sits at the heart of Lexington’s downtown revitalization. Michel wasn’t looking to open another restaurant when the developer approached her about anchoring the ground floor of the building, but feeling
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inspired by the developer’s vision, she came on board, visiting the construction site at several intervals during the renovation. “The majesty of this building is certainly a draw,” she said. Named after Michel’s Great-Grandfather Arron Rufus Zimmerman, the environs at Zim’s match the colorful character of its namesake. “He was tall and thin and would dress up like Uncle Sam on the Fourth of July,” Michel reminisced. “He would absolutely love this place.” A collection of folk art Michel inherited from her mother inspired the restaurant’s cheery and colorful décor. Originally intending to outfit the space with pieces from her personal collection, Michel found them too precious to part with, so she turned to graphic designers Lee and Sara Busick curate a new collection, which they built around flocks of birds handmade by Laurel Countians Twyla and Lonnie Money. Lonnie carves each bird and then turns them over to Twyla to paint. Throughout Zim’s, color-matched flocks perch on pieces of driftwood handselected by Lee and Sara from the banks of Lake Cumberland. Louisville’s Swope Design Group helped refine the café’s springlike color palette.
