So close you can taste it

San Antonio chef and restaurant named finalists in the James Beard Awards

Photo courtesy of Birdie's

The James Beard Awards are heating up, and San Antonio is along for the ride — albeit in small numbers. Two of the area’s 5 semifinalists advanced to finalist status.

Considered the Oscars of the food world, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its Restaurant and Chef Awards on April 3. Here are all of the Texas nominees in the national categories:

Best New Restaurant: Barbs-B-Q (Lockhart)
Outstanding Bar: Las Ramblas (Brownsville)
Outstanding Hospitality: Gemma (Dallas)
Outstanding Restaurant: Mixtli (San Antonio)
Outstanding Restaurant: Convenience West (Marfa)
Outstanding Chef: David Uygur, Lucia (Dallas)

San Antonio's two semifinalist nominees in the national categories were Mixtli for Outstanding Restaurant and David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. (in Seguin) for Outstanding Chef.

The foundation also announced the finalists for Best Chef: Texas. Of San Antonio's three semifinalists, only one, Christopher Cullum of Cullum’s Attaboy, earned finalist status. Even if he doesn't get the win, he'll be featured on April 4 as a nominee in CultureMap's own Tastemaker Awards, possibly taking home the title of Chef of the Year.

Mixtli/Facebook

Mixtli made it to the James Beard Award finals.

Best Chef Texas:

Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó (Houston)
Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy (San Antonio)
Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Birdie’s (Austin)
Misti Norris, Petra & the Beast (Dallas)
Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria (Mission)

The finalists are drawn from a pool of semifinalists that included 11 nominations for Houston, nine for Austin, and eight for Dallas.

Notably, only Las Ramblas returns from 2023 in the national categories. All of this year's other finalists are new to the categories. Similarly, none of last year’s finalists for Best Chef: Texas returned to the category. Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland of Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin had been among last year’s finalists for Best Chef: Texas. This year, they did not advance to the finals.

The awards recognize excellence by chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant. Winner must also have “demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” according to the organization’s website. The awards also include media categories that will be announced on April 30.

“Congratulations to all of our esteemed honorees and nominees on this remarkable achievement,” Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said. “Your vision, and continued dedication to excellence — both on and beyond the plate — make you true leaders of American culinary. Thank you for all you are doing to set a better standard for our industry and broader food system.”

The Foundation will reveal its Restaurant and Chef Award winners at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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11 essential dishes at San Antonio's Michelin-recognized restaurants

Leche de Tigre/ Facebook

Leche de Tigre.

By now, most local food enthusiasts are aware that the famed Michelin Guide recently dispatched its famously secretive reviewers across Texas. Although only Southtown's Mixtli garnered a coveted star, seven San Antonio eateries will now be listed as "Recommended." Five others nabbed a Bib Gourmand, a designation for "restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices."

Locals and tourists will no doubt be flocking to the 13 spots in the upcoming months and wondering what to order. While Mixtli and Nicosi's prix fixe format makes that easy with a chef-curated meal, here's the must-eat dish at the others.

Recommended

The Barbecue Station
Perhaps the biggest surprise among the Michelin nods, this North Side joint sticks with Texas barbecue traditions. Patrons should follow suit with a brisket barbecue plate paired with potato salad and a never-ending bowl of pinto beans.

Garcia's Mexican Food
The New York Times named Garcia's smoked brisket taco one of the 23 Best American Dishes of 2023, praising its "blanket-soft tortilla." Who are we to argue with the Gray Lady?

Leche de Tigre
This Southtown cebicheria has had a meteoric rise since debuting in February 2023. The Nikkei cebiche, made with delicate yellowfin tuna, a tamarind ponzu, and fried sweet potato, fires off all the rocket boosters.

Little Em's Oyster Bar
East Coast oysters are the raison d'être of this Southtown spot and undoubtedly worth a slurp. But even landlocked cities deserve the buttery lusciousness of a Connecticut lobster roll.

Signature Restaurant
Perhaps the stateliest San Antonio restaurant to earn Michelin recognition, this La Cantera stunner oozes Provençal charm. Though the short rib burger served during happy hour should not be missed, pony up for the elegant halibut adorned with celeriac, zucchini, dill, and a mouthwatering yuzu beurre blanc.

2M Smokehouse
It may seem strange to advocate a side over smoked meats, but folks seldom eat with logic. The Chicharoni Macaroni, a pile of mac 'n' cheese topped with crunch fried pork, is a lightning bolt.

Bib Gourmand

Burnt Bean Co.
This Seguin barbecue joint is on a winning streak, receiving kudos from the James Beard Foundation and Texas Monthly. The Brass Monkey sandwich, filled with queso mac, sausage, and brisket, distills that success into one bite.

Cullum's Attaboy
No other restaurant in San Antonio does simplicity so well. Order the omelette topped with a miracle hollandaise and a side of dressed frisée. And splurge on a dollop of caviar.

The Jerk Shack
While all the Caribbean dishes are worth a nibble at this San Antonio darling, do as the name commands. The assertively spiced jerk chicken clearly stands out.

Ladino
Only Michelin critics would consider this Pearl eatery as a budget option, but one can eat here without feeling impoverished. Whatever entrée makes the cut, precede it with chef Berty Richter's impeccable hummus.

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
At its root, Southern food is about comfort. Though this Pearl anchor has more fanciful fare, the fried chicken is its keystone.

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