James Beard award semifinalists released: Is NYC dining declining?

Photo credit: Inside the Clover Club/Daniel Kukla for amNY

Has Gotham lost its dining dominance?

The 2011 semifinalists for the James Beard awards were announced Thursday, and though the city has a few big nominations, it didn’t rule the categories as it has done at times in the past.

Jesse Schenker of Recette — which is up for Best New Restaurant — and Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar both got big nods for Rising Star Chef of the Year, but the city has no nominees for Outstanding Chef.

Eater New York editor Amanda Kludt said this may be a response to criticism that the nominations have been too New York-centric, but added that it’s still early.

“When they narrow the list down to the finalists, the city may be as prominent as it always is,” she said.

At least one city top chef was upset that his restaurant was snubbed. “3 stars in NY times for Colicchio & sons and can’t manage a semi final nomination for the James Beard Awards, Just sayin,” tweeted Tom Colicchio.

Finalists will be announced March 21, and winners will be announced May 9 at Lincoln Center.

New York’s semifinalists:

Best new restaurant:
ABC Kitchen
Recette
Torrisi Italian Specialties

Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Shuna Lydon, Peels
Angela Pinkerton, Eleven Madison Park

Outstanding Restaurant:
Blue Hill
Eleven Madison Park

Outstanding Restaurateur:
Bruce Bromberg and Eric Bromberg, Blue Ribbon Restaurants
Richard Sandoval, Zengo
Stephen Starr, Morimoto, Buddakan and more
Phil Suarez, ABC Kitchen, Matsugen, Spice Market, Jean Georges and many more

Outstanding Service:
La Grenouille
Per Se

Outstanding Wine Service:
The Modern

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional:
Paul Grieco, Hearth and Terroir
Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery
Julie Reiner, Clover Club and Flatiron Lounge
David Wondrich

Rising Star Chef of the Year:
Jesse Schenker, Recette
Michael Toscano, Manzo
Christina Tosi, Momofuku Milk Bar

Best Chef, New York City:
Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern
April Bloomfield, The Spotted Pig
Saul Bolton, Saul
Marco Canora, Hearth
Scott Conant, Scarpetta
Polo Dobkin, Dressler
Wylie Dufresne, wd~50
Gabrielle Hamilton, Prune
Sara Jenkins, Porchetta
Craig Koketsu, Park Avenue
Sotohiro Kosugi, Soto
Mark Ladner, Del Posto
Paul Liebrandt, Corton
Anita Lo, Annisa
George Mendes, Aldea
Missy Robbins, A Voce
Masa Takayama, Masa
Bill Telepan, Telepan
Michael White, Marea
Galen Zamarra, Mas (farmhouse)

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