Serving Spoon Wins Best Lunch Spot

is served up as this week's "best of" winner in the Patch poll, as the favorite place in Sarasota to have lunch.

But the restaurant only narrowly squeaked by to be declared the winner. Both places took 31 percent of the vote. With a tie when the poll closed at 9 a.m. Friday, Patch checked to see which place had star ratings and reviews on its business listing.

, at 1825 Osprey Ave., has one, which propelled it to first place.

"We offer consistently great food with a sense of community," said co-owner Natasha Menke. "We joke that The Serving Spoon like Cheers without the alcohol. There are times that about 80 percent of people in there know each other."

Natasha and Greg Menke have owned the restaurant since 1998. It's been there for 20 years, the Menkes owned it for 10, sold in 2007 and took the business back in May.

Congratulations to both restaurants as top choices for readers.

The Serving Spoon wins a nifty "best of" plaque from Patch, as well as a shoutout on Facebook and Twitter.

Let's not leave Michael's on East out of this, either, though. Michael Klauber has had his restaurant in Sarasota for 25 years and is always looking to try new things and he thinks his latest lunch menu is connecting with diners.

"One of the newest things that's been fantastic is the City Light menu," Klauber said. "We got eight items that are all healthy alternatives and are great testing, and it's been a huge hit."

All items are about 550 calories and under, he said.

"The other thing is we're aware of is the business people are on a time crunch so we're a great place for the business people to come, and it turns out it's a great place to come and celebrate."

Check back with the Sarasota Patch on Monday for the next poll. Then vote for your favorite and share some love in the business directory. Everyone has the chance to be a star, or at least to win some star ratings.