James Beard Foundation Nominated Chefs’ Recs | Details - Find. Eat. Drink.
James Beard Foundation, Award Nominees, Chefs, Best Chefs, Regional, Where to take a visiting chef, Chef’s Favorite Restaurants, Local Restaurants, Where to eat, Where to drink, Insider Recommendations, Great Lakes, Stephanie Izard, Chicago, IL, Illinois, Mid-Atlantic, Peter Pastan, Obelisk, Washington, DC, New YOrk City, NYC, NY, Mark Ladner, Del Posto, Michael White, Marea, Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern, Southeast, Hugh Acheson, Five And Ten, Craig Deihl, Cypress, South Carolina, Charleston, SC, Linton Hopkins, Atlanta, GA, Holeman And Finch, Edward Lee, 610 Magnolia, Louisville, KY, Kentucky, Hugo Ortega, Houston, TX, Texas, Tim Cushman, O Ya, Boston, MA, Massachusetts, Matt Jennings, Farmstead, La Laiterie, Providence, RI, Rhode Island, Jamie Bissonnette, Coppa, Boston, Lenny Russo, Heartland, St. Paul. MN, Minnesota, Matt Dillon, Sitka & Spruce, Seattle, WA, Washington, Jason Franey, Canlis
AVEC
Lincoln Park
New American
Boston, MA
Providence, RI
New York, NY
Washington, DC
Athens, GA
Atlanta, GA
Birmingham, AL
Charleston, SC
Louisville, KY
Chicago, IL
St. Louis, MO
Twin Cities, MN
Eat | Restaurants - Chicago, IL
They have this truffled cheese flatbread ["Deluxe" Focaccia with Taleggio Cheese, Ricotta, Truffle Oil and Fresh Herbs]. It’s way too big for two people to eat, but you order it and that’s how you end up making friends with the people next to you.
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Paul Kahan’s restaurant in Chicago, IL.
Details
BLACKBIRD
West Loop
Contemporary American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Paul Kahan’s restaurant in Chicago, IL.
Photographs courtesy of Staple & Fancy | FIG | Maialino
If there is one honor chefs get giddy about, it's the James Beard Foundation Awards. Deemed the culinary world's equivalent of the Oscars, the awards will be given out on Monday, May 7th. The chefs listed below are all final nominees for the coveted Best Chef Award for their region.
We asked this select group of highly-recognized chefs where they would take a visiting chef to eat in their hometowns.
Chefs’ Recs | James Beard Foundation Nominated Chefs
May 6, 2012
Where They Eat In Their HomeTowns
OBELISK
2029 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
T: 202.872.1180
Dupont Circle
Italian
Eat | Restaurants - Washington, DC
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Peter Pastan’s restaurant in Washington, DC.
THE STANDARD
1801 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Logan Circle
Barbecue
You can sit outside, order a brisket or pulled pork sandwich, fried pickles, and some onion rings. Everybody sits at long picnic tables and people are actually friendly to strangers, something unheard of in Washington DC. A few cold draft beers and the world is a fine place.
Chelsea
Italian
Eat | Restaurants - New York City, NY
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Michael Ladner’s restaurant in New York, NY.
1801 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Logan Circle
Barbecue
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Michael Anthony’s restaurant in New York, NY.
MAIALINO
Gramercy
Italian
For real-deal Italian food.
Midtown
Italian
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Michael White’s restaurant in New York, NY.
POK POK
Lower East Side
137 Rivington Street, NY 10002
T: 212.477.1299
Brooklyn
127 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
T: 718.923.9322
Multiple Locations
Thai
Andy Ricker's Pokpok NY, because he's doing the most laser-beam delicious food in town right now! Get the Het Paa Naam Tok, which gives hope to gluten-free vegans everywhere.
WD-50
New American
Lower East Side
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Wylie Dufresne’s restaurant in New York, NY.
CALI-N-TITO’S
1427 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30608
T: 706.227.9979
Athens
Latin American
Eat | Restaurants - Athens, GA
For a Cuban sandwich.
EMPIRE STATE SOUTH
Athens
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Hugh Acheson’s restaurant in Athens, GA.
FIVE & TEN
Athens
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Hugh Acheson’s restaurant in Athens, GA.
THE NATIONAL
Athens
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Hugh Acheson’s restaurant in Athens, GA.
RESTAURANT EUGENE
2277 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
T: 404.355.0321 (make a reservation)
Buckhead
Contemporary American
Eat | Restaurants - Atlanta, GA
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Linton Hopkins’ restaurant in Atlanta, GA.
Buckhead
New American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Linton Hopkins’ restaurant in Atlanta, GA.
PEACHES
Athens
Southern / Barbecue
For a good meat n’ three experience.
JCT KITCHEN
1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18, Atlanta, GA 30318
T: 404.355.2252 (make a reservation)
West Midtown
American
It’s open and airy and wonderful for lunch. You can get a great chicken salad sandwich, they have a great burger and beautiful deviled eggs with country ham all over them. They are just delicious. They’ve got a good bar upstairs with great drinks.
Eat | Restaurants - Charleston, SC
CYPRESS
www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com
167 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
T: 843.727.0111 (make a reservation)
Charleston
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Craig Deihl’s restaurant in Charleston, SC.
Charleston
Seafood / Mediterranean
For their chicken live pate. I could eat that everyday until it killed me! The menu is phenomenal and if they have soft shell crabs, get them. Great local food.
Eat | Restaurants - Louisville, KY
Churchill Downs
New American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Edward Lee’s restaurant in Louisville, KY.
HOLY GRALE
Highlands
Pub
A great beer bar with creative bar food.
PHO BIN MIN
6709 Strawberry Lane, Louisville, KY 40257
T: 502.375.9249
Highland Park
Vietnamese
For Vietnamese.
Eat | Restaurants - Houston, TX
HUGO’S RESTAURANT
1600 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77006
T: 713.524.7744 (make a reservation)
Neartown / Montrose
Mexican
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Hugo Ortega’s restaurant in Houston, TX.
LATIN BITES
5709 Woodway Dr., Suite J, Houston, TX 77057
T: 713.229.8369 (make a reservation)
Galleria / Uptown
South American / Peruvian
Especially for chef-owner Roberto Castre’s incredible selection of Peruvian ceviches and tiraditios.
OXHEART
1302 Nance Street, Houston, Texas 77002
T: 832.830.8592
Warehouse District
New American
A new restaurant that is very small and out of the way. Chef Justin Yu has a way with vegetables and he only offers tasting menus, which change daily. They emphasize local products. Seats 30, so reservations are necessary.
Eat | Restaurants - Boston, MA
South End
Italian
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Jamie Bissonnette’s restaurant in Boston, MA.
GOURMET DUMPLING HOUSE
Chinatown
Chinese
This is my go-to. The tripe tongue and tendon salad. The soup dumpling are great. Whole fish, crab, braised pork shank with bok choy. All the food is made with such care, and love. The best choice for offal in Chinatown.
O YA
Waterfront
Japanese/ Sushi
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Tim Cushman’s restaurant in Boston, MA.
RED WING DINER
Walpole
Italian-American / Seafood
It’s a great little New England gem. They have great clam chowder and when they have the big belly fried clams, they are a must. I used to go there with my family when I was a kid and I've been going there for 50 or more years since. It opened in 1932 and the bar is in an old diner car. The wood on the bar is worn with elbow marks at each stool.
1704 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118
T: 617.536.4300
South End
Spanish
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Jamie Bissonnette’s restaurant in Boston, MA.
Eat | Restaurants - Providence, RI
FARMSTEAD
186 Wayland Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
T: 401.274.7177
Providence
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Matt Jennings’ restaurant in Providence, RI.
LA LAITERIE
Providence
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Matt Jennings’ restaurant in Providence, RI.
American
West End
Sourced from local Rhode Island farms, created by a chef who lives and breathes all things Rhode Island, and cooked by a team of Johnson & Wales interns, it couldn’t really get any more Ocean State than this. It’swell worth the trip to find this out of the way, Rhode Island gem.
Eat | Restaurants - Twin Cities, MN
HEARTLAND RESTAURANT & FARM DIRECT MARKET
289 East Fifth Street, Suite 104, St. Paul, MN 55101
T: 651.699.3536 (make a reservation)
Providence
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Lenny Russo’s restaurant in St. Paul, MN.
MERITAGE
Downtown
American / French
In St. Paul, go to Meritage and sit at the oyster bar. All of the oysters are flown in direct from the producers. Sample the whole list with a side of French fries with béarnaise sauce and a few of St. Paul's very own Summit Pale Ale.
PICCOLO
4300 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409
T: 612.827.8111 (make a reservation)
South Minneapolis
Contemporary American
Order the whole menu. The menu is comprised of small plates, so whenever I go, I just tell the server to bring one of everything. They also have one of the most well-chosen wine lists in town, so we would be availing ourselves of that.
Eat | Restaurants - St. Louis, MO
NICHE
Soulard / Benton Park
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Gerard Craft’s restaurant in St. Louis, MO.
PAPPY’S SMOKEHOUSE
Midtown
Barbecue
For ribs. It is life changing.
Eat | Restaurants - Seattle, WA
CANLIS
Seattle Center / Lower Queen Anne
Northwest
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Jason Franey’s restaurant in Seattle, WA.
MANEKI
International District
Japanese
It’s the oldest restaurant in Seattle, a Japanese restaurant. It happens to be my favorite place to eat. I really like the Black Cod Collar cooked in miso.
SITKA & SPRUCE
Capitol Hill / Melrose Market
American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Matt Dillon’s restaurant in Seattle, WA.
STAPLE AND FANCY MERCANTILE
www.ethanstowellrestaurants.com/stapleandfancy
4739 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
T: 206.789.1200 (make a reservation)
Ballard / Fremont
Seafood / Italian
It's a great combo of atmosphere (fun and busy) and incredible food. The tasting menu is the best deal in town and it's fresh, local, and delicious. Best case scenario is grabbing dinner there and then finishing with a cold Rainier beer with Chef Ethan afterwards. A perfect night.
BAR FERD’NAND
Georgetown
Northwest / America
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Matt Dillon’s restaurant in Seattle, WA.
THE CORSON BUILDING
Capital Hill / Melrose Market
Wine Bar
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Matt Dillon’s restaurant in Seattle, WA.
809 W Randolph Street, Chicago IL, 60607
T: 312.492.6262 (make a reservation)
West Loop
Contemporary American
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Stephanie Izard’s restaurant in Chicago, IL.
GREAT LAKE
1477 W. Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
T: 773.334.9270
Andersonville / Edgewater
Pizza
It's a teeny place with amazing pizza. They're super nice people and it's relaxing and unpretentious. I would order pizza - they're all great.
837 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
T: 312.733.9555 (make a reservation)
Near West Side
American / Beer
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Paul Kahan’s restaurant in Chicago, IL.
KATZ’S DELICATESSEN
Lower East Side
American Traditional Deli / Eastern European
For a Corned beef sandwich, thinly sliced from the fat side with a Cel-Ray soda.
WONDEE SIAM
792 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
T: 212.582.0355
Midtown West / Hell’s Kitchen
Thai
For #1 Duck Kra Prow (spicy crisp duck, garlic, onion).
Eat | Restaurants - Birmingham, AL
HOT AND HOT FISH CLUB
Southside
American / Southern
James Beard Foundation nominated chef Chris Hastings’ restaurant in Birmingham, AL.
THE SPRING HOUSE AT RUSSELL CROSSROADS
Lake Martin
American
Chef Rob McDaniel does farm to table, with daily menu changes. The daily menus feature meat and produce of the place, and of the time - a snapshot of a day in the season. His dishes are exciting and dynamic. This is local cuisine served in a rustic, casual elegance. The building is made of stone, rough-hewn beams and hand-forged iron work with an open kitchen and a wood fired oven. Many of our customers have a second home at Lake Martin.
