You know what I love about the James Beard Foundation Awards? Chefs in suits, the boozy speeches, the thanking of the wives and the mentioning of farmers and sustainable cooking every fifteen seconds.
Here is the EE rundown of the highlights from last night, along with some recommendations about the winning restaurants in NYC. Some are perfect for some things, some more perfect for others, as is everything in New York.
First of all, before I go into the stuff that matters, I just need to get this off my chest - Marcus Samuelsson was nowhere in sight and I for one, was disappointed. Chef Samuelsson in chef's coat, or even a casual suit is the stuff dreams are made of. Was MS burned that Red Rooster wasn't nominated for Best New Restaurant? Was his 2003 win for Rising Chef NYC enough for him? Instead of heading to Avery Fisher Hall he went to - The Met Gala?! I smell deception in the ranks. And his wife is tall - hot dress, though.
And now, to the real event of the evening...
RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR - Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar (Various locations, NYC)
I have been a huge fan of Tina Tosi since she opened the first Momo Milk in the East Village in 2008. Now, her crack(pie) has spread around the city like the real stuff did in 1960s Harlem.
wEE Recommend Momofuku Milk Bar for: Dessert and coffee dates, a first date, entertaining friends from out of town and late night bites. (Various locations, check website)
Sidenote: I also loved that Grant Achatz (Alinea, Chicago & Next El Bulli, Chicago) presented this award to Tosi, but that hair was quite the distraction. We get it, you're a scientist and brilliant, but come on, Grant. Let's get some product. Also, don't you use nitrogen like, a lot? This combo of long locks and NITROGEN scares us. However, despite this mild crisis in my head, I can't wait to try Next El Bulli and love it, if I can figure out how to make a reservation. Um, has anyone seen the restaurant's website?! FORT.KNOX.
OUTSTANDING BAR PROGRAM - PDT 113 St. Marks Place nr. Ave. A
This was the first year the James Beard Foundation has given this award and it's fantastic that one of the first 'speakeasies' that kicked off the 'mixology/secret unmarked bar' trend in 2007 won. Owner Jim Meehan looked so dapper I could barely contain myself - this man makes bitters look so, so sweet. Pegu Club was the other NYC nominee in this category.
wEE Recommend PDT for: Romantic dates, entertaining out of towners, girls night out, amazing cocktail list.
OUTSTANDING WINE, BEER OR SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL - Paul Grieco - Terroir (Various locations, NYC) We want to be Greico's friend just because his speech was so endearing, he thanked Chef Marco Canora of Hearth, and that goatee is epic. Also, the ongoing joke on Terroir's twitter about his signature facial patch o' love is kind of amazing. Another reason why Terroir really is something special: Everyone that works there loves the grape just as much as I do, and they really have made a significant impact on the wine and spirits program nationwide - which is why they won, natch.
wEE Recommend Terroir for: First dates, wine and small plates, wine in the East Village, wine bar in Murray Hill, notable wine list, dinner (at Hearth) and drinks.
BEST CHEF: NEW YORK CITY (Five Boroughs) - Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern 42 East 20th Street nr. Broadway If anyone from let's say, San Francisco or Chicago, tells you their city is the true food town of the America, tell them that NYC is the only city to have its own James Beard Award category. So there. This was well deserved, and I love that he thanked his wife, which was a huge theme of the evening. The other chefs nominated were April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig), Wylie Dufresne (wd-50), Mark Ladner (Del Posto) and Michael White (Marea)
wEE recommend Gramercy Tavern for: Special occasion dinners, fantastic brunch, great prix fixe menu, notable wine list, power lunch, client dinner, dinner at the bar.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE - La Grenouille 3 East 52nd Street nr. Fifth Ave.
There is a reason this place has been open since 1962 - it's a classic. The service truly is divine and you feel transported to Paris whenever you step in the door. Yes, they still have a pan seared calf liver with nuts and raisins on the menu, but it wouldn't be French if they didn't, right? Also, that $38 prix fixe lunch menu is one of the best deals in town.
wEE Recommend La Grenouille for: Special occasion dinner, delicious French food in Midtown East, lunch prix fixe in Midtown, delicious brunch, celeb sightings, entertaining guests in Midtown, romantic date.
OUTSTANDING CHEF - Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park 11 Madison Ave. nr East 24th St.
This really is the award of the evening, given to a chef whose 'career has set national indsutry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals.' Also, you have to be a chef for at least 5 years to be nominated. Humm gave a rousing speech which no one in the auditorium heard because everyone started to storm for the exit to get to the buffet - piggies. But like the honey badger, Humm didn't care - he just kept on talkin'! If his peers would have listened, they would have heard a truly touching speech about how EMP stayed the course of fine dining despite the recession and "even when we had twenty covers, we never changed course." Humm of course thanked Danny Meyer and his wife. He thanked his wife longer than he thanked Danny Meyer which makes me think there was a husband-wife conversation at some point about how Humm wasn't married to Danny Meyer, but married to her. David Chang (Momofuk Ssam Bar) was the only other NYC chef nominated in this category. Chang, you have enough - scoot over and pass me one of your delish pork buns!
wEE recommend Eleven Madison Park for: Romantic dinners, special occasions, large group prix fixe (with an unlimited budget), special events, notable wine list,
Also, some other notable things that happened that have nothing to do with anything but we need to include:
Jose Andres forgot where he was or what was going on and they couldn't find him to present the award for Best Chef. But Chef Andres didn't care, he just kept on drinkin'!
Danny Meyer didn't 'win' anything, but all of his restaurants and proteges did...
Wolfgang Puck said the F word a few times in his Austrian accent and it was awesome...
The random win from Hoboken?!
BEST CHEF: MID-ATLANTIC (D.C., DE, MD, NJ,PA,VA) - Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama (Hoboken, NJ)
Here is the EE rundown of the highlights from last night, along with some recommendations about the winning restaurants in NYC. Some are perfect for some things, some more perfect for others, as is everything in New York.
First of all, before I go into the stuff that matters, I just need to get this off my chest - Marcus Samuelsson was nowhere in sight and I for one, was disappointed. Chef Samuelsson in chef's coat, or even a casual suit is the stuff dreams are made of. Was MS burned that Red Rooster wasn't nominated for Best New Restaurant? Was his 2003 win for Rising Chef NYC enough for him? Instead of heading to Avery Fisher Hall he went to - The Met Gala?! I smell deception in the ranks. And his wife is tall - hot dress, though.
 |
| Not the red carpet of the James Beard Awards. Nice white coat, MS. Photo: Styleite.com |
And now, to the real event of the evening...
RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR - Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar (Various locations, NYC)
I have been a huge fan of Tina Tosi since she opened the first Momo Milk in the East Village in 2008. Now, her crack(pie) has spread around the city like the real stuff did in 1960s Harlem.
 |
| Christina Tosi, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Momofuku Milk Bar. Photo: AP/Jason DeCrow |
 |
| Grant Achatz, wins Who's Who of Food & Beverage and Best New Restaurant, Next (Chicago) Photo: AP/Jason DeCrow |
OUTSTANDING BAR PROGRAM - PDT 113 St. Marks Place nr. Ave. A
This was the first year the James Beard Foundation has given this award and it's fantastic that one of the first 'speakeasies' that kicked off the 'mixology/secret unmarked bar' trend in 2007 won. Owner Jim Meehan looked so dapper I could barely contain myself - this man makes bitters look so, so sweet. Pegu Club was the other NYC nominee in this category.
wEE Recommend PDT for: Romantic dates, entertaining out of towners, girls night out, amazing cocktail list.
 |
| Jim Meehan of PDT Photo: Kent Miller, James Beard Foundation |
OUTSTANDING WINE, BEER OR SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL - Paul Grieco - Terroir (Various locations, NYC) We want to be Greico's friend just because his speech was so endearing, he thanked Chef Marco Canora of Hearth, and that goatee is epic. Also, the ongoing joke on Terroir's twitter about his signature facial patch o' love is kind of amazing. Another reason why Terroir really is something special: Everyone that works there loves the grape just as much as I do, and they really have made a significant impact on the wine and spirits program nationwide - which is why they won, natch.
 |
| A dressed up, post-win Paul Grieco, Terroir Photo: @kkrader (thanks!) |
BEST CHEF: NEW YORK CITY (Five Boroughs) - Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern 42 East 20th Street nr. Broadway If anyone from let's say, San Francisco or Chicago, tells you their city is the true food town of the America, tell them that NYC is the only city to have its own James Beard Award category. So there. This was well deserved, and I love that he thanked his wife, which was a huge theme of the evening. The other chefs nominated were April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig), Wylie Dufresne (wd-50), Mark Ladner (Del Posto) and Michael White (Marea)
 |
| Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern wins Best Chef - NYC Photo: Kent Miller, JBF |
OUTSTANDING SERVICE - La Grenouille 3 East 52nd Street nr. Fifth Ave.
There is a reason this place has been open since 1962 - it's a classic. The service truly is divine and you feel transported to Paris whenever you step in the door. Yes, they still have a pan seared calf liver with nuts and raisins on the menu, but it wouldn't be French if they didn't, right? Also, that $38 prix fixe lunch menu is one of the best deals in town.
 |
| The Masson family and staff of La Grenoille, Outstanding Service. Patrick O'Connell from The Inn at Little Washington decided to sneak in the pic (far right) Photo: Kent Miller, JBF |
OUTSTANDING CHEF - Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park 11 Madison Ave. nr East 24th St.
This really is the award of the evening, given to a chef whose 'career has set national indsutry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals.' Also, you have to be a chef for at least 5 years to be nominated. Humm gave a rousing speech which no one in the auditorium heard because everyone started to storm for the exit to get to the buffet - piggies. But like the honey badger, Humm didn't care - he just kept on talkin'! If his peers would have listened, they would have heard a truly touching speech about how EMP stayed the course of fine dining despite the recession and "even when we had twenty covers, we never changed course." Humm of course thanked Danny Meyer and his wife. He thanked his wife longer than he thanked Danny Meyer which makes me think there was a husband-wife conversation at some point about how Humm wasn't married to Danny Meyer, but married to her. David Chang (Momofuk Ssam Bar) was the only other NYC chef nominated in this category. Chang, you have enough - scoot over and pass me one of your delish pork buns!
 |
| Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park, Outstanding Chef |
Also, some other notable things that happened that have nothing to do with anything but we need to include:
Jose Andres forgot where he was or what was going on and they couldn't find him to present the award for Best Chef. But Chef Andres didn't care, he just kept on drinkin'!
 |
| Chef Jose Andres Photo: Kent Miller, JBF |
Danny Meyer didn't 'win' anything, but all of his restaurants and proteges did...
 |
| Terroir's Paul Greico, a random, and Gramercy Tavern's Chef Michael Anthony Photo: @USHG |
Wolfgang Puck said the F word a few times in his Austrian accent and it was awesome...
 |
| F this! Where's the champagne?! Photo: AP |
The random win from Hoboken?!
BEST CHEF: MID-ATLANTIC (D.C., DE, MD, NJ,PA,VA) - Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama (Hoboken, NJ)
Call us sheltered, but we've never found anything in Hoboken that we particularly love except a couple of our friends. Apparently, this 'artisanal South American' restaurant is a reason to head over across the river. Presilla is Puerto Rican, has cooked tamales for President Obama, and likes to hunt for pear squash in Weehawken - what's not to love? Also, doesn't it look like she could give a rip that she just won a coveted JBFA in a pretty competitive category? More reason to love her! Does this mean we have to take the PATH, Maricel?
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| Maricel Presilla, Cucharmama wins Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic Photo: Kent Miller, JBF |
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