As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. This year, we asked the group eight questions, from Meal of the Year to Top Standbys. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the week. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted and unedited herein.
What are the top restaurant newcomers of 2011?
The Chowfather, blogger: Makoto, Chef Philip Ho, neMesis, The Dutch, Tudor, Crumb on Parchment
Frodnesor, blogger: Chef Philip Ho, The Local, Harry's Pizzeria, neMesis Urban Bistro. Honorable mention: on the fence for Barceloneta, The Dutch
Ryan Roman, blogger: Tuyo is legit. Also, Harry's Pizzeria picks up where Pizzavolante left off for me. And Yardbird has that perfect pairing of fried chicken and bourbon cocktails. There are also between 8 and 12 new Pubbelly restaurants I have yet to visit.
Aaron Brooks, chef, Edge, Steak & Bar: Has to be Yardbird and Pubbelly... those guys are killing it!
Geoffrey Zakarian, chef/owner Tudor House: The Dutch, Tudor House
Mario Tolentino, chef de cuisine of BLT Steak at The Betsy-South Beach: The Dutch
Shareef Malnik, owner/The Forge: Yardbird
Miguel Aguilar, chef, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar: Makoto, Jojo's Tacos, Yardbird
Dewey LoSasso, executive chef, The Forge: Yardbird
Ivo Mazzon, executive chef of Joey’s Italian Café:The one I am looking forward to most is Salumeria 104 with Chef Angelo Masarin in Midtown.
Michael Bloise, executive chef, SUSHISAMBA dromo: Yardbird
Chef Jeremiah, gastroPod: Harry's, Chow Down South Beach
Gabriel Fenton, executive chef Bourbon Steak: Azul's Joel Huff, db Bistro
Louis Aguirre, anchor, Deco Drive: Pubbelly, Yardbird
Josh Marcus, chef/owner Chow Down Grill(s): Tudor House
John Kunkel, owner Lime, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar: The Dutch, Pubbelly, and Yardbird, but I might be partial. [EaterWire]
