Best of Winner: Luce Cucina Italiana

Mamma mia! It wasn't even close.

Lexington Italian restaurant coasted to victory and has won Patch's "Best Of" contest for best place to take your Valentine. Out of 34 votes cast in our informal poll, the restaurant garnered 22 votes, or 64 percent.

The remaining votes were split by the second place (11 percent), and (5 percent each), (2 percent), (2 percent), (2 percent), and (2 percent).

Manager Mido Said said he was telling all his patrons to vote and also got the word out about the contest on the restaurant's Facebook page.

Luce Cucina Italiana, which translated means "Shining Italian Kitchen," was an institution in New York and Virginia before the family owners relocated to Lexington four years ago, according to Said.

For Valentine's Day, the restaurant will be offering patrons a special prix fixe deal: Any two single meals, two drinks, and slices of cheesecake for $30. The only downside? The restaurant does not serve alcohol, Said mentioned.

The restaurant sets itself apart first by striving to b a good citizen of Lexington, according to Said. 

"We work hard, it's not about the money. We're not expensive. Our main thing is to improve our community," he said.

Well that, and the food of course, which boasts some of the town's best pasta, pizza and stromboli dishes, among other things.

"We cook everything from scratch … and all to order."

Be sure to watch out for our next "Best Of" poll: Best Dry Cleaners. Voting for that begins Monday morning at 9 a.m.