The list of semifinalists for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards is out - and several restaurants and chefs in the East Village and Lower East Side have made the cut!
The James Beard Foundation Awards honor all aspects of the industry - from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects. It is the highest honor for food and beverage professionals in North America. The James Beard Foundation Awards are presented each spring at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on Monday, May 7.
Here are the James Beard Awards semifinalists for the East Village and Lower East Side:
Outstanding Bar Program
Though PDT stands for "Please Don't Tell," plenty of people are talking. It's a bit like Fight Club - you're not supposed to talk about it, but how can you not brag a bit? The bar extension of hot dog spot Crif Dogs, PDT is as exciting to enter - guests sneak through a vintage phone booth within Crif Dogs - as it is to be inside. Mixologist Jim Meehan, formerly of Gramercy Tavern and Pegu Club, offers up irresistible seasonal creations and classic cocktails.
Outstanding Chef
David Chang, Momofu Ssäm Bar
Momofuku means lucky peach, and chef David Chang is one lucky guy. His takeover of New York City dining includes five Momofuku restaurants, four Milk Bar locations and the new hi-tech bar, Booker and Dax. Chang, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, is no stranger to the James Beard awards - he's already won six - and Momofuku Ssäm Bar picked up two stars from Frank Bruni in 2007 and landed on Adam Platt's 101 Best list in 2011.
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Emma Hearst, Sorella
The Italian word Sorella literally means "sister" - and that's exactly what Emma Hearst and Sarah Krathen are at their Lower East Side restaurant. Hearst is Sorella's owner/chef, serving up the Italian cuisine of Piedmont. She was the youngest "Iron Chef America" competitor at just 24 years old. Sorella was awarded an impressive four stars by New York Magazine.
Christina Tosi, Momofuku Milk Bar
Christina Tosi, pastry chef/owner of Momofuku Milk Bar, has collected some of the finest talent in New York City to create the sweet and savory treats at Milk Bar, which Tosi herself refers to as "Dairy Queen with pork buns." If she's willing to serve up something called "Crack Pie," it has to be good.
Best Chef: NYC
Wylie Dufresne, wd~50
In his first role as chef and owner, Wylie Dufresne has garnered praise for his inspired culinary combinations, cutting edge culinary techniques and innovative use of ingredients. wd~50 was awarded three stars by Frank Bruni of The New York Times in 2008 and has held a Michelin star since 2006.
For a complete list of the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards Semifinalists, visit the James Beard Foundation online.
PDT: 113 St. Mark's Pl., bet. 1st Ave. and Ave. A
Momofuku Ssäm Bar: 207 2nd Ave., at E. 13th St.
Momofuku Milk Bar: 251 E. 13th St. at 2nd Ave.
wd~50: 50 Clinton St., bet. Stanton and Rivington sts.
