Strawberry salad from Saul Good in Kentucky is a menu favorite

The front desk employee at our hotel recommended a local restaurant called Saul Good, so we went there for dinner. My mom and I shared their strawberry salad. It was delicious — by far my favorite salad ever and I’ve never had anything like it. Is there any way you could get it for me? I know I won’t be back in Lexington anytime soon and would love to have it again. Thanks so much! — Sarah Merkle, Atlanta

A: Rob Perez, owner of Saul Good, calls the creation of this recipe a "typical restaurant story."

He and his wife first enjoyed the salad at the home of friends.

“My wife and I fell in love with the strawberry salad and asked for the recipe. We coveted the recipe proclaiming, ‘If we ever own our own restaurant … !’ Fifteen years later, we really did open a restaurant with chef Jeff Mayer. We gave the recipe to chef and he said I can make it even better. He did make it better and it is now the best-selling salad on each of the 3 Saul Good Restaurants.”

Saul Good Restaurant & Pub’s Strawberry Salad

2 tablespoons Poppy Seed “Yogurt” Cream (see recipe)

2 tablespoons Poppy Seed Dressing (see recipe)

3 cups chopped romaine

1 cup spring mix

1/2 cup sliced strawberries

10 green grapes, cut in half

2 tablespoons slivered almonds, lightly toasted

1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallions

On serving plate, drizzle Poppy Seed “Yogurt Cream” across plate. Set aside.

In a large bowl, pour in Poppy Seed Dressing. Add romaine and spring mix and toss. Add strawberries, grapes, almonds and scallions and toss gently. Place the lettuce on the serving plate. Top with the strawberries, grapes and remaining ingredients that are left in the bowl. Serve immediately. Serves: 1

Per serving: 449 calories (percent of calories from fat, 61), 10 grams protein, 37 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams fiber, 33 grams fat (6 grams saturated), 10 milligrams cholesterol, 333 milligrams sodium.

Saul Good Restaurant & Pub’s Poppy Seed ‘Yogurt’ Cream

7/8 cup sour cream

1/4 cup Poppy Seed Dressing (see recipe)

In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream and dressing. Pour into a squeeze bottle or small bowl and refrigerate. Made be made up to 3 days in advance. Makes: 1 1/8 cup

Per 2-tablespoon serving: 93 calories (percent of calories from fat, 88), 1 gram protein, 2 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 9 grams fat (3 grams saturated), 10 milligrams cholesterol, 51 milligrams sodium.

Saul Good Restaurant & Pub’s Poppy Seed Dressing

2/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 medium red onion

2 teaspoons dry mustard

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups vegetable oil

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

In the jar of a blender, combine vinegar, sugar, onion, mustard and salt. Blend until smooth. With blender running, add oil and process until emulsified. Pour dressing into a jar and stir in poppy seeds. Make be made ahead and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance. Makes: 3 cups

Per 2-tablespoon serving: 183 calories (percent of calories from fat, 89), trace protein, 5 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 19 grams fat (2 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 178 milligrams sodium.