These NYC Restaurants Are James Beard Award Finalists

NEW YORK – The battle to be named the best new restaurant in the country is being fought by two New York City eateries which have been named last round contenders in the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards.

Upscale Korean spot Atomix, on E. 30th St., and Frenchette, a bistro on Broadway in Tribeca, are among five finalists from across the U.S.A. seeking the crown, which seeks to recognize a place that opened in 2018.

The pair of restaurants are among many New York City establishments and chefs vying in several categories of the awards, referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world.

The finalists were announced on Wednesday.

In NYC, they are:

Best New Restaurant
A restaurant opened in 2018 that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine and hospitality, and that is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.

Atomix
NYC

Frenchette
NYC

Outstanding Baker
A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a retail bakery. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.

Zachary Golper
Bien Cuit
NYC

Outstanding Bar Program
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits, and/or beer.

Dead Rabbit

NYC

Outstanding Restaurant
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, service, and operations. Must have been in business 10 or more consecutive years.

Balthazar
NYC

Outstanding Restaurateur

A restaurateur who demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations. Must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years. Must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past five years.

Alex Raij and Eder Montero
La Vara, Txikito, Saint Julivert Fisherie, and others
NYC

Best Chefs in America
Chefs who set high culinary standards and also demonstrate integrity and admirable leadership skills in their respective regions. A nominee may be from any kind of dining establishment but must have been working as a chef for at least five years, with the three most recent years spent in the region.

Best Chef: New York City (Five Boroughs)

Sean Gray
Momofuku Ko

Brooks Headley
Superiority Burger

Daniela Soto-Innes
Atla

Alex Stupak
Empellón Midtown

Jody Williams and Rita Sodi
Via Carota

Finalists were announced by chef Hugo Ortega in Houston during a ceremony at his namesake Mexican restaurant, Hugo’s.

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

The awards, which “recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields” were established in 1990. According to the foundation, each award category has an individual committee made up of industry professionals. Each committee oversees “the policies, procedures, and selection of judges for their respective awards programs,” the foundation says.

Winners receive a certificate and medallion engraved with the foundation’s insignia.

You can see the full list of nominees here.

Beth Dalbey contributed to this report.