D.C. Metro Semifinalists Announced For 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards!

Photo: The James Beard Foundation

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- New York City-based The James Beard Foundation released its curated list of 2012 restaurant and chef semifinalists this morning, for the famed organization’s upcoming 2012 awards ceremony. And naturally, there are many familiar names to Washingtonian foodies on this year’s ballot.

An ever further refined final round of nominees will be announced via Twitter on Monday, March 19th in advance of the actual ceremony itself, which will be on Monday, May 7th.

Congratulations to all of D.C.’s semifinalists! Well deserved…

Best New Restaurant



• Fiola, Washington, D.C.
  
• Little Serow, Washington, D.C.
  
  The view from behind the counter at The Columbia Room.
  

  Outstanding Bar Program

  
  
• The Columbia Room, Washington, D.C.
  
• PX, Alexandria, VA
  
  

  Outstanding Chef

  
  
• Frank Ruta, Palena, Washington, D.C.
  
  Birch & Barley’s Tiffany MacIsaac.
  

  Outstanding Pastry Chef

  
  
• Tiffany MacIsaac, Birch & Barley, Washington, D.C.
  
  

  Outstanding Restaurant

  
  
• Marcel’s, Washington, D.C.
  
  

  Outstanding Restaurateur

  
  
• Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, Washington, D.C.
  
  The Source’s Scott Drewno.
  

  Outstanding Service

  
  
• Restaurant Eve, Alexandria, VA
  
  

  Outstanding Wine Program

  
  
• CityZen at the Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C.
  
• Restaurant Eve, Alexandria, VA
  
  Restaurant Eve’s Cathal Armstrong.
  

  Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional

  
  
• Greg Engert, Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Alexandria, VA
  
  Volt’s Bryan Voltaggio.
  

  Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

  
  
• Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve, Alexandria, VA
  
• Tony Conte, The Oval Room, Washington, D.C.
  
• Scott Drewno, The Source, Washington, D.C.
  
• Johnny Monis, Komi, Washington, D.C.
  
• Peter Pastan, Obelisk, Washington, D.C.
  
• Vikram Sunderam, Rasika, Washington, D.C.
  
• Bryan Voltaggio, Volt, Frederick, MD