The Beard award nominees for 2008 were announced today. Some Texas connections (sorry if I miss any).
Best Chef (Southwest) – Sharon Hague of York Street in Dallas. York Street is my favorite restaurant in town and it’s cool that she got nominated. The food is always impeccable and unpretentious. This is one restaurant in a city known for an over-emphasis on “flash” that simply keeps it about the food. Hell, there is not even a valet, which in Dallas is almost like not having a bathroom.
Best Chef (Southwest) – Andrew Weisman of La Reve in San Antonio. I have never eaten there, but I’d like to. I am pretty sure Texas Monthly thinks it’s the best restaurant in Texas.
Best New Restaurant (National) -- Dean Fearings at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas. I have not been, but I am curious. My foodie friends in Dallas are not impressed and say that it’s all about PR. But, even the NY Times loved it and named it one of their favorites too. So, it has its fans, especially among the press. If I ever want to pay $40 for fried chicken, I might give it a try.
Irma’s in Houston is also getting an “American Classic” award, which I guess is like a lifetime achievement award for non-gourmet restaurants that represent American culture.
The five nominees for national Restaurant of the Year are: Boulevard in S.F. (been there, overrated), Campanile in LA (excellent), Gramercy Tavern in NYC, Jean Georges in NYC (not been, but I love Prime in Vegas); and The Slanted Door in S.F. (great food).
In looking back at the “long list” of nominees (the finalists for consideration to be nominated), these people got close, but no nomination:
Best Chef (Southwest): Anthony Bombaci (Nana, Dallas), Tyson Cole (Uchi, Austin), Paul Peterson (Café Cenizo, Marathon), Armando Pomales (Café Central, El Paso – awesome place), Monica Pope (t’afia, Houston), Marco Wiles (Da Marco, Houston)
Best Pastry Chef (National): Duni Borga (La Duni, Dallas - you have to have her quartos leches).
Outstanding Chef (National): Stephen Pyles (Dallas)
Outstanding Restaurant (National): Brennan’s (Houston)
Outstanding Service (National): Brennan’s (Houston), Jeffrey’s (Austin)
Outstanding Wine Service (National): Café Central (El Paso)
Outstanding New Restaurant (National): Reef (Houston)
2008 Nominees
Long List
Best Chef (Southwest) – Sharon Hague of York Street in Dallas. York Street is my favorite restaurant in town and it’s cool that she got nominated. The food is always impeccable and unpretentious. This is one restaurant in a city known for an over-emphasis on “flash” that simply keeps it about the food. Hell, there is not even a valet, which in Dallas is almost like not having a bathroom.
Best Chef (Southwest) – Andrew Weisman of La Reve in San Antonio. I have never eaten there, but I’d like to. I am pretty sure Texas Monthly thinks it’s the best restaurant in Texas.
Best New Restaurant (National) -- Dean Fearings at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas. I have not been, but I am curious. My foodie friends in Dallas are not impressed and say that it’s all about PR. But, even the NY Times loved it and named it one of their favorites too. So, it has its fans, especially among the press. If I ever want to pay $40 for fried chicken, I might give it a try.
Irma’s in Houston is also getting an “American Classic” award, which I guess is like a lifetime achievement award for non-gourmet restaurants that represent American culture.
The five nominees for national Restaurant of the Year are: Boulevard in S.F. (been there, overrated), Campanile in LA (excellent), Gramercy Tavern in NYC, Jean Georges in NYC (not been, but I love Prime in Vegas); and The Slanted Door in S.F. (great food).
In looking back at the “long list” of nominees (the finalists for consideration to be nominated), these people got close, but no nomination:
Best Chef (Southwest): Anthony Bombaci (Nana, Dallas), Tyson Cole (Uchi, Austin), Paul Peterson (Café Cenizo, Marathon), Armando Pomales (Café Central, El Paso – awesome place), Monica Pope (t’afia, Houston), Marco Wiles (Da Marco, Houston)
Best Pastry Chef (National): Duni Borga (La Duni, Dallas - you have to have her quartos leches).
Outstanding Chef (National): Stephen Pyles (Dallas)
Outstanding Restaurant (National): Brennan’s (Houston)
Outstanding Service (National): Brennan’s (Houston), Jeffrey’s (Austin)
Outstanding Wine Service (National): Café Central (El Paso)
Outstanding New Restaurant (National): Reef (Houston)
2008 Nominees
Long List
