Feb/Mar 2016 Let’s Do Lunch: Market at Main
What to Expect:
Classic comfort food with Southern inspiration
What to Try:
Take a step back in time and a step up in flavor by treating yourself and a colleague to lunch in the heart of Downtown Lynchburg. On the afternoon we stopped in, owner Rodney Taylor served up a Natural Bridge Zoo sandwich—so named for its incorporation of four meats and three cheeses. Finishing off this impressive sandwich was fresh red onion and a tangy herb mayo. We also tried The Cavalier, an eight-ounce Angus burger topped with cheddar, bacon, sautéed onions and BBQ sauce. Like the rest of the menu items, these sandwiches are named for Hill City icons and local haunts, and paired with house-made chips and sweet potato fries respectively, lunch did not disappoint.
The only drawback to Market at Main’s menu is having too many good options, so we recommend making this a regular stop on your lunch rotation.
From large and filling salads to sandwiches, burgers and paninis, options abound. And, did we mention, breakfast is served all day? For that, we recommend the Eggs Rebecca (a reinvented eggs benedict served over fried green tomatoes) or crowd favorite Sweet Potato Pancakes.
The Extras:
You can have your choice of a secluded table or find space to accommodate up to 15 guests, so flexibility and proximity are definite advantages for business people, which make up the majority of the daytime crowd.
“I felt this place was something we needed in our downtown,” Taylor says. “It filled a niche.”
As business has grown since its opening in 2009, Taylor started offering dinner on a regular basis and expanding operating hours. Dinner entrees can be followed by a slice of house made cheese or carrot cake among other baked goods. For larger parties, such as rehearsal dinners or company parties, private reservations are available.
The Experience:
When you first enter Market at Main, you’ll be struck by the expansive ceilings
and their massive double-ended fans, which are modeled after authentic 1920’s fixtures. In efforts to preserve the vintage details of the building, Taylor spent hours researching the history of the building, which dates back to the 1880s and has served many purposes over the decades. Whether you sidle up to the long bar or settle into a cozy corner booth with friends, the atmosphere in this locally-owned, family-operated is one to experience.
Visit them online at www.marketatmain.com.
By Jennifer Redmond
