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1. Ramsey's Diner

496 E High St, Lexington, KY 40507 · 859-259-2708

User Rating:  Rating: 5 / 5   (Rate It)

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Although Ramsey's has several locations in town, this one – set in a big, white house – is the original. Everything's casual, nothing matches, and folks love it that way. People come from all over to indulge in big portions of incredible, home-cooked food, and the much-loved signature dish is the hot brown: toast, turkey, bacon, tomato, and cream sauce, broiled to perfection. Old-school fare like chicken and dumplings, pot roast, and plenty of good vegetables are standard, and brunch is a weekend tradition in the area. It's available all day long and features simple dishes like bacon, eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns.

2. Tomo Restaurant

848 E High St, Ashland Plaza, Lexington, KY 40502 · 859-269-9291

User Rating:  Rating: 4 / 5   (Rate It)

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Clean-lined and contemporary, this establishment is just as you'd imagine a modern Japanese restaurant would be. Pale woods gleam in booths and table seating and are interspersed with dark squares in a suspended circular ceiling. From it, delicate pendant lights hang overhead like dew drops. At the rear, a sweeping bar commands attention. The Japanese cuisine is fresh and impeccable, and whether you choose sushi or some other Asian delicacy, you can be assured that quality, flavor, and presentation are unfailingly top-notch.

3. Natasha's Bistro Boutique

112 Esplanade, Lexington, KY 40507 · 859-259-2754

User Rating:  Rating: 5 / 5   (Rate It)

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Natasha's airy environs incorporate a medley of international influences, from Balinese artifacts to African carvings, masks to textiles, basketry to rusted Moroccan lanterns. The effect is worldly but comfortable, an easy place to indulge in unusual dishes from central Europe to North Africa and beyond. Lush Basque lamb stew earns comfort-food points, and mushroom stew is rich with sour cream. Goulash, ratatouille, and chicken curry also earn kudos, as do sinful desserts that complete a meal beautifully. Gourmet and Turkish coffees too.

4. Mansion at Griffin Gate

1720 Newtown Pike, Griffin Gate Resort, Lexington, KY 40511 · 859-288-6142

User Rating:  Rating: 5 / 5   (Rate It)

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You'll feel as if you're dining in another era at this stately, 19th-century mansion home, which is surrounded by centuries-old trees. Inside, chandeliers and antiques confirm the air of gentility, and the menu boasts an always-impressive line-up, from grilled rack of lamb to pan-seared duck breast, phyllo-wrapped sea bass, veal piccata, and prime NY strip. Finish up with chocolate bread pudding dressed with Maker's Mark anglaise, and you'll understand why the restaurant enjoys a four-star rating. Private events welcomed.

5. The Chop House

2640 Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY 40509 · 859-268-9555

User Rating:  Rating: 5 / 5   (Rate It)

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Known for terrific steaks – aged, seasoned, and grilled to perfection – this inviting restaurant satisfies time and time again. Slow-roasted prime rib is tender and juicy, and lamb and pork chops offer delicious alternatives to beef. If you really want to go the alternate route, consider grilled fresh fish (the selection changes daily), homemade crab cakes, or chargrilled shrimp. Pastas and sandwiches are available at lunch, along with a daily special. Don't miss their huge onion rings and wonderful fried green tomatoes.

6. Yamamoto Japanese Grill & Sushi

130 W Tiverton Way, Lexington, KY 40503 · 859-272-6668

User Rating:  Rating: 3 / 5   (Rate It)

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A pale interior, accented with natural materials and choice Asian furnishings, sets the scene at this Japanese restaurant. Diners gather around grill tables, eagerly watching the spectacle of chefs cooking and flipping an array of ingredients while bantering with patrons. Meals generally include appetizer, salad, rice, fresh vegetables, and your choice of meat, be it steak, shrimp, scallops, chicken, or the like. A light dessert finishes up the meal, and sushi can be had if you find yourself craving a roll or two.

7. Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano

4456 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40515 · 859-272-4053

User Rating:  Rating: 4 / 5   (Rate It)

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A favorite with locals, Giuseppe's sits just off busy Nicholasville Road, not far from Fayette Mall. Its comfortable setting is as pleasant as its accomplished cuisine, which finds favor again and again. The menu promises something for everyone, from osso buco to oven-roasted salmon, fettucine carbonara, and grilled beef tenderloin. Pork, shellfish, chicken, and veal can also be found, and the celebrated tiramisu is a must-have. Italian, domestic, and international wines are available by the glass and the bottle.

8. a la lucie

159 N Limestone, Lexington, KY 40507 · 859-252-5277

User Rating:  Rating: 3 / 5   (Rate It)

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Renowned as one of Lexington's best restaurants, this intimate bistro has a style all its own. Deep green walls, bright red ceilings, and splashes of leopard print on booths, chandelier shades, and carpeting give it a certain flair, and an eclectic array of art includes everything from female nudes to a black-and-white image of Holly Golightly. The menu's delights include tender fried oysters, succulent beef tenderloin with lobster mashed potatoes, and a perfectly prepared crème brûlée. White tablecloths, jazz music, soft candlelight, and a good wine list render the place perfect for a romantic evening or a delicious dinner out.

9. Tachibana

785 Newtown Ct, Lexington, KY 40511 · 859-254-1911

User Rating:  Rating: 3 / 5   (Rate It)

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If you've been craving Japanese cuisine, Tachibana offers up some of the area's best, and its authenticity is bolstered by the nearby presence of the Toyota factory. The place boasts a pleasant ambience, and tatami rooms invite diners to immerse themselves in the experience. The menu accommodates a variety of tastes, so whether you relish dishes prepared on the hibachi or prefer tempura fare or an impeccably fresh sushi roll, you're in luck. A bit pricier than most but worth the indulgence.

10. Portofino

249 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507 · 859-253-9300

User Rating:  Rating: 5 / 5   (Rate It)

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Upscale and elegant, this spacious restaurant shares quarters with professional offices in a renovated warehouse. Its candlelit dining rooms still retain the building's rustic charms while adding white linens and intriguing local art. Bustling and popular, Portofino also has a way with food, marrying Italian tradition with California innovation. Tempting pastas, fresh fish, tender steaks, and incredible seared scallops and steamed mussels offer proof of the gourmet menu, and a well-stocked bar offers great wines, cognacs, and bourbons. Opt for the wonderful outdoor patio when the weather accommodates.

Voted Best of the City

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10Best announces 2006’s Best of the City results. Well-informed consumers like you have voted, ballots have been tabulated, and winners determined. Chosen businesses are designated with a special seal – select any one, and you’re sure to get a best bet. Thanks to so much user input, there’s no way you could go wrong!

 

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