The impressive list of semifinalists for the 2013 James Beard Foundation awards were just announced. Here some Seattle restaurants where you can savor the work of previous winners.
Got a special occasion to celebrate? There's no better place. The setting is cozy and welcoming and chef Holly Smith's ever-changing menu is challenging, only because every single thing is worth ordering. Truly one of the absolute best restaurants in the Pacific Northwest.
A lovely room, this Capitol Hill restaurant doesn't get nearly the attention it did when it first opened. But that's a good thing because these days, you might actually be able to get a table. James Beard award winning chef John Sundstrom's menu is challenging because there are so many must-try options. Let the excellent servers guide your choices, as items change often. If it's offered, do not miss the burrata. The kitchen also does an exceptional job with seafood. Oh, and pork. Come to think of it, I've never had anything less than a stellar meal at Lark.
Big, big fan of chef Matt Dillon's big, big flavors. He mines herbs and spices that confound the most seasoned palates, waking them up in the best possible way. Love the ever-changing menu that showcases vividly fresh produce and interesting takes on meats/seafood. The kitchen manages to turn lentils and poached eggs into something you cannot stop eating. Bravo! And, oh, yeah, Matt won the James Beard Foundation's award for best chef in the Northwest in 2012. Well-deserved, and we look forward to more good stuff at his new project launching in Pioneer Square in 2013.