8 Brooklyn Eateries Named James Beard Award Semifinalists

BROOKLYN, NY — Eight Brooklyn eateries are in the running for the "Oscars of the food world."

The restaurants — two of which nominations in two categories — snagged a total of 10 of New York City's 34 semifinalist spots in this year's James Beard Awards, which were revealed Wednesday.

This year's list names several longtime Brooklyn favorites, including Ditmas Park's iconic pizzeria Di Fara and the historic Gage and Tollner, which was reopened by a group of restaurateurs in 2021 after nearly two decades closed.

Foodie favorites La Vara, Llama Inn and The Four Horsemen also got nods from the prestigious foundation.

Among the newer restaurants on the semifinalist list are two Crown Heights eateries that opened in 2020 and Bonnie's in Williamsburg.

Here's a full list of Brooklyn's nominations:

• Ursula, Crown Heights
  • Best New Restaurant
• Ras Plant Based, Crown Heights
  • Romeo Regalli for Best Chef in New York State
• Gage and Tollner, Downtown Brooklyn
  • Caroline Schiff, Outstanding Pastry Chef
  • Best New Restaurant
• Llama Inn, Williamsburg
  • Erik Ramirez for Best Chef in New York State
• Bonnie's, Williamsburg
  • Calvin Eng for Emerging Chef
• La Vara, Cobble Hill
  • Alex Raij and Eder Montero for Outstanding Chef
• The Four Horsemen, Williamsburg
• Nick Curtola, Best Chef in New York State
• Outstanding Wine Program
• Di Fara, Ditmas Park
  • Outstanding Restaurant

The James Beard Foundation will announce its finalists in March and celebrate winners with a ceremony in June, according to the organization.

The 2022 slate of nominees is likely one of the most diverse in the foundation's three-decade history given new categories meant to address biases, according to Eater. The new categories include an "emerging chef" award and newly-configured regional best chef categories aimed at expanding the geographic diversity of winners, according to the outlet.

Find a full list of the semifinalists here.