Tribeca's Frenchette Is Named A James Beard Finalist

TRIBECA, NY — Frenchette, which opened last April, was named a James Beard finalist for best new restaurant Wednesday.

The Tribeca eatery was one of two New York City restaurants named a finalist for best new restaurant. The second was Korean restaurant Atomix in Murray Hill.

Frenchette, located at 241 West Broadway, is led by chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson.

The duo worked alongside Keith McNally, another well known restauranteur, in previous gigs. Frenchette was their first project without McNally, the New York Times wrote in a review last July.

The honor for the French bistro in Tribeca was announced weeks after one of its dishwashers was caught kicking an elderly woman in the head on the 2 train March 10, the New York Post reported.

The restaurant owners told the Post they were "horrified and saddened to learn that one of our employees [has] committed such an awful, unimaginable offense."

The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists Wednesday, with several New York City establishments and chefs seeking the prestigious award.

The awards will be presented May 6 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

For the full list of finalists, click here.