L20 Wine Director; Boka Executive Make Zagat's '30 Under 30'

A 30 is the best score a restaurant can get in the Zagat guide.

That's naturally why each year, 30 Chicagoans under 30 are named as the "next generation of food-industry rock stars" in the company's "30 Under 30" guide. This year, the list includes four pastry chefs, five bartenders, six executive chefs and a variety of other industry professionals, two of whom work right here in Lincoln Park.

Richard Hanauer, 29, made the cut as the wine director at L2O, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West. Zagat reports that Hanauer's love for wine began when as a child, his task was to go to the cellar to select an appropriate bottle for family meals.

“It never occurred to me that this was unusual,” he told Zagat.

L20, was one of only two Chicago restaurants awarded two Michelin stars this past November, which "denote excellent cuisine, skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality. Worth a detour." The restaurant moved up from a one-star rating in 2011.

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Boka Group executive director Abby Kritzler, 29, is the other half of the local 30 under 30 duo.

"... (As) an ambitious cocktail waitress and bartender at Landmark Grill & Lounge, (Kritzler) sent an e-mail (now framed on her desk) to Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz that outlined ways she thought the bar could increase business," Zagat reports.

Boka group is behind Boka, Balena, Elaine's Coffee Call, J. Parker, GT Fish & Oyster and Little Goat.

Want to read more about L20 and Balena?

• Balena Owner 'Shoots for the Stars'
• Balena Earns Nod from ‘Oscars’ of Food Awards