San Francisco gets mixed bag at James Beard Awards
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Just two San Francisco restaurants made this year's James Beard Award finalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards, but neither went home with an award.
Driving the news: The Morris, a New American restaurant in the Mission known for its inventive menu and long list of Chartreuses and wines, was a finalist in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category.
- It lost to Columbia, South Carolina's Lula Drake Wine Parlour.
- Pacific Cocktail Haven, located in Union Square, was up for Outstanding Bar, but lost to New Orleans' Jewel of the South.
What they're saying: The Morris "wanted to take the idea of a Michelin three-star restaurant but create a neighborhood restaurant," owner Paul Einbund told Axios on the red carpet ahead of the event.
The big picture: The James Beard Foundation gives out 22 accolades annually as part of its Restaurant and Chef Awards, all meant to highlight the crème de la crème in categories like baking, hospitality, wine, restaurant and regional chef.
- It's like the Oscars but for food.
Between the lines: Award or not, making it off the list of semifinalists is résumé-worthy.
Fun facts: While no San Francisco establishments took home awards at Monday night's awards, Burmese restaurant Mandalay has won an America's Classics award.
- The Beard Foundation announced the Richmond District restaurant's award in February.
Zoom out: Two Bay Area restaurant chefs, Geoff Davis of Oakland-based Burdell and Rogelio Garcia of Calistoga-based Auro, were up for Best Chef: California, but lost to Lord Maynard Llera of Los Angeles-based Kuya Lord.
- Elsewhere in the Bay Area, Mai Nguyen won a leadership award for her role as farmer at Sonoma-based Farmer Mai.
Find the full list of James Beard Award winners here.