Prospect And Crown Heights Chefs Named James Beard Semifinalists

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Two chefs from Prospect Heights and Crown Heights restaurants are in the running to be named the best of New York.

The James Beard Foundation announced semifinalists on Wednesday for its coveted awards, naming both Nasim Alikhani, of Persian hot spot Sofreh, and Eric See, of New Mexican take-out hit Ursula as in the running for the Best Chef of New York.

“This is always an exhilarating moment as we kick off the Awards cycle and recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams across the country,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, in a statement.

Sofreh, located at 75 St. Mark's Place in Prospect Heights, opened inside a brownstone in 2018 after years of dreaming for chef Alikhani, who was 59 at the time according to their website.

Since then, her Persian dishes and dining experience have racked up rave reviews from gourmands galore. The New Yorker wrote in 2018 that "Alikhani’s front-of-house style seems just as intuitive as her interpretations of traditional Persian food, a cuisine that’s sorely underrepresented in this city."

Ursula, formerly on Sterling Place in Crown Heights but soon moving to 387 Nostrand Ave. in Bed-Stuy this spring, opened in 2021 and quickly became famous for their fluffy breakfast burritos. Last year, the spot was a James Beard finalist for best new restaurant.

This year, Ursula's future Nostrand Avenue neighbor Dept of Culture is a decent bet to take the prize.

Check out Sofreh and Ursula on their websites below:

Sofreh

Ursula