The Metropol is owned by John A. Schremly III, M.D. Son, John R. Schremly and daughter, Darlean Schremly Trapp manage their father’s restaurant. Presently, the earliest known Schraemli history began in Italy in the 15th century. Some of the family eventually moved to Switzerland to the Zurich area and then on to Lugano. Harry Schraemli notes that interestingly enough “a lot of them (Schraemli’s) became doctors or hoteliers.” One name chosen for these hotels was METROPOL.
Uncle Harry Schraemli was a respected and renowned master in the culinary field.
His influence is widely noted throughout European hotel and food service industry.
Harry authored 50 publications, was a corresponding member of the German Gastronomic Academy,
the Culinary Gastronomic College in Basel, the Circle of Chefs of Bern, and
the Swiss Guild of Established Chefs.
A Knight of Honor of the Cordon Bleu de Saint Esprit Order, he was also an honorary member of the
Gastronomic Study Club in Zurich and member of the Hotel Owner Association in Switzerland. Uncle Harry
founded the Swiss Museum of Gastronomy, in Schadau Castle, www.schlossschadau.ch/en/castle-information.html, situated directly on Lake Thun.
Schadau Castle offers magnificent views of the Alps. Built between 1847 and 1854,
Schadau Castle is one of the most architecturally important and beautiful castles in Switzerland,
both it’s interior and exterior is listed with the Heritage Association. The Swiss Gastronomy Museum has
been housed in the castle since 1988 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008.
The museum contains gastronomic literature, documents, and historical equipment,
which have been preserved and made accessible to the public. Dr. Schremly corresponded with his
Uncle until his passing in 1995.
When our Metropol opened in 2001, it was our pleasure to honor him and name our bar, “Harry’s Bar.”
In his bar we have a copy of his time honored “Meistermixer, still considered the bartenders bible
across Europe today.
The Schremly Family Metropol of today reflects our Schraemli heritage as well as our
new stateside heritage.
With a sense of history as significant, Dr. Schremly purchased the building at 307 W.
Short Street and our Metropol story began in 2000.
Our Building History
In 1793, a block away, Gratz Park was the center of the original core of Lexington. By 1820, Lexington was known as the Athens of the West because it was one of the largest city in the west as well as being a major commerce center.
Our 307 W. Short Street Bluegrass Trust building is Lexington's oldest surviving Post Office building, listed in the national Register of Historic Places. It is Federal Style, built in 1825, in close proximity to Cheapside Park, Lexington's center of commerce. Cheapside Park was named after the largest market place in London England. Postmaster Joseph Ficklin ran the Post Office from 1822-1841 & 1843-1850. He is remembered for boarding Jefferson Davis at his home.
In 2009 The Metropol outgrew its charming little self and had the opportunity to expand by purchasing it’s sister building, the Hotel Drake Annex, 311 W. Short Street.
The original building was built in 1870, was originally known as the Ashland House, then the Reed, and finally the Drake. Ironically the Ashland House stood next to the Palace Hotel, which was the name of a Schraemli run Hotel in Lugano, Switzerland. The Hotel Drake designated it's bar, the “Tap Room” as the “Headquarters for Horseman.” The Hotel promised “Unexcelled Cuisine” and warned it's patrons “If you Duck the Drake, You are a Goose.”
Our New History
The Metropol began a corner of culinary excellence in the heart of Lexington’s beginnings.
Since the recent relocation of the Farmers Market to Cheapside Park as well as the recent following of
several other restaurants to Short Street, Short Street has become a wonderful culinary destination alive
with choice and nightlife. Our Metropol offers the diner both the rich history of Lexington and the Schremly
family’s history to present an unrivaled dining experience.
Cheers! Bon Apetit! Prost! Salute!
Our Latest News
As we say fair well to 2011, we must say fair well to the Metropol as we know it. Dr. Schremly has retired, after practicing medicine for over 50 years. He has had quite a journey, including being one of the last practicing physicians who made house calls, he continues as the oldest living Medical Psychiatrist in Kentucky However, most of you will remember him as “Doc” poised at (his Uncle) Harry's Bar, always ready to greet you with a warm gentleman's, “Hello, how are you?”
Dr. Schremly has had many interests through the years, but one remains constant and that is agriculture. He and his family are exploring opening a vineyard which has become so Kentucky. Who knows the next time you see the name Metropol it may be on a wine label!
John and Darlean want to thank you for a grand run and invite you to celebrate the closing and their father's retirement. Come by December 23 to toast Doc with drinks priced at $1.80 for his 80 wonderful years!
