The Violet Hour Earns Nod from ‘Oscars’ of Food Awards

The Wicker Park food scene is on fire. Four restaurants earned nominations in Time Out Chicago’s 2013 Eat Out Awards and two added a Michelin star to their menu in 2012.  

But this time, it's a local cocktail bar that's snagging the attention. 

On Tuesday, The Violet Hour made the semifinalist list for Outstanding Bar Program with the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards. The awards have often been called the Oscars of the food industry, celebrating the best chefs, restaurateurs and beverage professionals throughout North America.   

The place has no easy mission ahead. The Violet Hour faces 24 other competitors from around the country, including fellow Chicago hotspot The Aviary. 

The foundation released the award semifinalists on Tuesday, and in March, the finalists will be announced. A 600-person independent volunteer panel determines those finalists, the Huffington Post reports. They’ll narrow down the list to five nominees in each category, with the winners named May 6.

The Violet Hour joins several other North Side nominees:

• Chef Chris Nugent of Goosefoot, Lincoln Square: Best Chef Great Lakes Region
• Balena, Lincoln Park: Best New Restaurant
• Chef Matthew Kirkley of L20, Lincoln Park: Rising Star Chef of the Year
• Chef Michael Carlson of Schwa, Wicker Park: Best Chef: Great Lakes

See the full list of semifinalists here. 

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