LocalEats list of best Salt Lake City restaurants for 2012

• Best American Traditional Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Barbecue Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Bistro in Salt Lake City
• Best Breakfast Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Brewpub in Salt Lake City
• Best Burgers in Salt Lake City
• Best Chinese Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Coffeehouse in Salt Lake City
• Best Contemporary Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Continental Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Deli in Salt Lake City
• Best Dessert Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Diner in Salt Lake City
• Best French Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Greek Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Ice Cream/Confections in Salt Lake City
• Best Indian Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Irish/British Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Italian Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Locavore Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Mexican Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Pizza in Salt Lake City
• Best Seafood Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Southwestern Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Steak House in Salt Lake City
• Best Thai Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Salt Lake City
• Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Salt Lake City

Renovation Ongoing for 1940s Oakley Diner

IN THE NEWS: The Deseret Morning News's Amelia Nielson-Stowell reports on owner Keith Walker's renovation efforts on a classic 1940s Rhode Island diner, formerly Tommy's Diner, which is set for an early summer 2008 opening near Oakley's City Hall — the site of the old rodeo grounds, where the city wants to make a Jackson Hole-style boardwalk. The diner, which would also be Oakley's first restaurant, would be the first attraction in a downtown shopping area. ... Stacey Kratz reviews Acme Burger Company ((275 S. 200 West, 257-5700, AcmeBurgerCo.com). deseretnews.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler also reviews Acme Burger Company. slweekly.com ... The Tribune's Vanessa Change gives two and a half stars to Roma Ristorante (5468 S. 900 East, Murray; 801-268-1017), while the paper notes Davanza's, a Utah-owned pizzeria, recently opened a third location at 2352 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City. sltrib.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Jamba Juice, Chipotle Open New Locations

IN THE NEWS: Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to Stoneground (249 E. 400 South, 364-1368), while Valerie Phillips notes the recent closing after nearly 20 years of the Mexican restaurant Cafe Pierpont as well as the closing of Panache Wine Bar. ... Phillips also reports the openings of Jamba Juice stores at 1776 N. 2000 West, Clinton; 11507 South Parkway Drive, South Jordan; 175 N. 500 West, West Bountiful; and 1133 E. Wilmington Ave., Sugar House (www.jambajuice.com) as well as Chipotle Mexican Grill's second Utah location (6924 S. Park Centre Drive, Cottonwood Heights). deseretnews.com ... The Salt Lake Tribune's Vanessa Chang gives two stars to veggie spot Vertical Diner (2280 S. West Temple, SLC, 801-484-8378, www.verticaldiner.com), while Kathy Stephenson rounds up eating options at retail shopping stores, including IKEA (67 West IKEA Way, Draper; 801-572-4532). sltrib.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Bambara (Hotel Monaco, 202 S. Main. 363-5454, Bambara-SLC.com). slweekly.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Critics Rate Tarahumara, Caffe Niche

IN THE NEWS; The Salt Lake Tribune's Vanessa Chang awards three stars in reviewing Mexican eatery Tarahumara (380 E. Main St., Midway; 435-654-34650. sltrib.com ... The Salt Lake Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Caffe Niche (779 E. 300 South, 433-3380, CaffeNiche.com). slweekly.com ... The Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz reviews Parrothead Island Broiler (4546 S. 815 West, Taylorsville, with other locations in St. George and Hurricane. 263-8288, www.parrotheadislandbroiler.com). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Cafe Pierpont Closes After Two Decades

IN THE NEWS: The Trib's Vanessa Chang gives one star to Mayan Adventure (35 E. 9270 South, Sandy; 801-304-4600), while the paper reports that Mexican eatery Cafe Pierpont (122 W. Pierpont Ave, Salt Lake City) closed recently after more than 20 years in business. sltrib.com ... Salt Lake Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews sushi joints Oishi Sushi Bar & Grill (710 Main, Summit Watch Marriott Plaza, Park City, 435-615-22550 and Sushi Maru (1776 Park Ave. Holiday Village, Park City, 435-615-TUNA). slweekly.com ... The Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to Britton's (694 E. Union Square, Sandy, 572-5148). deseretnews.com ... Salt Lake magazine's September 2007 issue looks at cheap eats, including
Caputo’s (314 W. 300 South, 801-531-TONY, caputosdeli.com). saltlakemagazine.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

State Running Out of Liquor Licenses

IN THE NEWS: An increasing demand among restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages has resulted in the state nearly running out of available liquor licenses, the Associated Press reports. The Legislature has set up a quota system for licenses that is dictated by state population. Alcoholic Beverage Control commissioners can only issue one license to serve just beer and wine for every 11,000 people in the state, or 244 licenses. The commission issued its 243rd license on Aug. 24 to the Fortune Cookie in Riverton. ap.com ... SL Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews The Aerie (933-2160) and The Steak Pit (933-2260) at Snowbird Resort, Cliff Lodge, Little Cottonwood Canyon ... Scheffler also notes that actor Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Men In Black, Full Metal Jacket) and sister Toni Jorgensen have opened a Rib City Grill franchise at 2071 E. 9400 South in Sandy. slweekly.com ... The Salt Lake Tribune's Jennifer Barrett reviews Winger's (various locations). sltrib.com ... Deseret News' Stacey Kratz awards three stars in reviewing Pierre Country Bakery (3239 E. 3300 South, 486-0900, www.pierrecountrybakery.com). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Reviewers Rate Oh Sushi, Bavarian Deli

IN THE NEWS: The Trib's Vanessa Chang gives two stars to Oh Sushi (2015 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City). sltrib.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler goes in search of sandwiches, including the Philly-style cheesesteak at Moochie’s. slweekly.com ... The Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz reviews Bavarian Deli-Cafe (9400 S. State, Sandy). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Critics Rate Caffe Niche, La Ferrovia

IN THE NEWS: The Salt Lake Tribune's Vanessa Chang gives two and a half stars to Caffe Niche (779 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City). sltrib.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler review La Ferrovia Ristorante (234 25th Street, Ogden) and Rovali's Ristorante Italiano & Coffee House (1320 E. Hwy. 193, Layton). slweekly.com ... The Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz reviews Fong's Fine Chinese Dining (877 E. 12300 South, Draper). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Harmons Bakery Celebrates 75 Years

IN THE NEWS: Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz gives three and a half stars to Tin Angel Cafe (365 W. 400 South). ... Molly Farmer reports on Harmons bakery's 75th birthday celebration. In 1932 founders Jake and Irene Harmon opened their first fruit stand, The Market Spot, at 3300 S. Main followed by a store in Granger. Very much a family affair, the Harmons' son, Terry, and his wife, Doreen, and their children and grandchildren have expanded the small venture to include 12 Utah stores today. deseretnews.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Q4U (3951 W. 5400 South, Kearns) and reports, "Fans of Bangkok Thai will be happy to know that the restaurant has reopened at 3142 S. Highland Drive with the new name Bangkok Thai Talay." slweekly.com ... The Trib's Vanessa Chang reviews La 35 (1576 W. 3500 South, West Valley City), while Best Bites notes Martine (22 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City). ... The paper reports Roma Ristorante has found a new home at 5468 S. 900 East, Murray. sltrib.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Broadway Bistro Set for Third & Main

IN THE NEWS: City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Good Karma (1782 Prospector Ave., Park City) and Good Thymes Bistro (6300 N. Sagewood Drive, Park City) and reports, "The former Third & Main restaurant location will have a new tenant now that Scott Ockey has announced the opening of the new Broadway Bistro at 300 S. Main. Chef Brandon Jaenish (formerly of Valhalla restaurant at Stein Eriksen Lodge) has returned from a stint at the Big Island Bistro in St. George to run the kitchen." ... Also just opened is Rovali’s Ristorante Italiano (1320 E. Highway 193 at Wyndom Square in Layton). slweekly.com ... The Tribune's Vanessa Chang reviews Chez Betty (1637 Short Line Drive, Park City, chezbetty.com). ... The Trib also notes the opening of Bangkok Thai Talay (3142 S. Highland Drive, in Salt Lake City) and the closing of the Sugar House location of Harry's (1355 E. 2100 South). The Latitude Restaurant Group said Harry's in South Jordan remains open. sltrib.com ... Deseret Morning News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to 412 Bistro (412 Main St., Park City). deseretnews.com ...

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Spur Sharpens New 'Cowboy Cuisine' Menu

IN THE NEWS: City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews The Dodo (The Gateway, 152 S. 400 West) and notes chef Michael LeClerc's new full dinner menu featuring "cowboy cuisine" at The Spur Bar & Grill (350 1/2 Main Street, Park City). slweekly.com ... The Trib notes the opening of Broadway Bistro at the corner of 300 South and Main Street in Salt Lake City. sltrib.com ... Deseret News' Stacey Kratz gives two and a half stars to Jo to Go (1183 N. Main, Tooele), while the paper notes the opening of Rumbi Island Grill in Lehi. deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Diner Makes Cross-Country Trek to Oakley

IN THE NEWS: The Salt Lake Tribune's Kathy Stephenson reports, "A classic 1940s diner from Rhode Island began a cross-country road trip July 10, headed for the northern Utah town of Oakley, where it ultimately will serve up comfort food and a slice of Americana. "It's unique. There's nothing in the state like it," said Keith Walker, the Oakley business owner who bought the futurist green and yellow diner for $27,000 from the American Diner Museum. His offer was accepted over those from four other U.S. cities. The diner, which is 60 feet long and 16 feet wide and seats 60 people, is expected to arrive in Utah July 14 or 15. Walker plans to call it "The Rhode Island Diner." sltrib.com ... The Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Mr. Z’s Cucina Italiana (111 E. Broadway) and reports that Ricc Esparza, recent chef/owner of the Urban Bistro on 500 South, has closed the bistro to work for Holiday Inn Inc. Romina Rasmussen is moving her Les Madeleines bakery-café into the space. ... Scheffler also notes that Robert Barker is leaving his post as Bambara’s executive chef on July 22. slweekly.com ... The Deseret News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to The Judge Cafe & Grill (8 E. Broadway). ... Valerie Phillips reports Emerald City Smoothie has opened its first Utah store (12570 S. 2700 West, Riverton). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Grappa Really Grabs 'Trib' Critic

IN THE NEWS: The Trib's Mary Malouf awards four stars in her review of Grappa (151 Main St., Park City). sltrib.com ... Salt Lake Weekly's Ted Scheffler features Lava Lake Lamb (www.lavalakelamb.com). slweekly.com ... The Deseret News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to IKEA restaurant (67 W. IKEA Way, off the Bangerter Highway exit of I-15 at about 13500 South, Draper), while Ben Caballeros features the downtown Salt Lake City Farmers' Market. deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Urban Bistro Market Shutters Doors

IN THE NEWS: The Trib reports: Urban Bistro Market at 216 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City, has closed. Romina Rasmussen and her popular bakery, Les Madeleines, are expected to move into the space later this summer; Dolcetti, a popular gelato vendor at Salt Lake City's downtown farmers market, has opened a retail shop at 1751 S. 1100 East. sltrib.com ... Deseret News' Stacey Kratz awards three stars to Korean restaurant Myung Ga (1839 W. 3500 South, West Valley). The paper also reports that Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. will open a fifth Utah restaurant at 11615 S. District Main Drive, South Jordan, on July 9. ... Sara Israelsen reports, "Ordering a "3x3 Animal Style" burger is protected lingo of In-N-Out Burgers — not a phrase an American Fork burger business can toss around flippantly to mean a mustard-slathered, three-patty burger, attorneys for the California-based burger chain have argued in federal court. Chadder's in American Fork is being sued by In-N-Out Burgers. Attorneys for In-N-Out Burgers filed a lawsuit recently in U.S. District Court of Utah, accusing Chadder's, an American Fork restaurant, of copying In-and-Out's menu, building layout and color scheme. deseretnews.com ... Salt Lake Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Shallow Shaft Restaurant (10199 East Hwy. 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta). slweekly.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Rising Cheese Prices Bump Cost of Pizzas

The Associated Press reports that block cheddar cheese - the benchmark for mozzarella and other cheeses -- reached $2.08 a pound recently on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, up 78 percent from $1.17 a pound a year ago. Industry observers attribute the price surge to strong demand and higher production prices -- from the cost of milk to the cost for dairy farmers to feed their herds. Some big pizza chains, which use mountains of cheese, already have responded. Both Pizza Hut and Papa John's International Inc. have raised the price of their cheese-only pizzas to the same amount as one-topping pizzas at company-owned stores. The higher cheese prices have exacerbated pressure companies already face from higher wages and fuel costs, said Chris Sternberg, spokesman for Louisville-based Papa John's. Papa John's uses about 100 million pounds of cheese each year, and the cheese typically makes up 35 percent to 40 percent of the food cost in making a pizza, he said.

IN THE NEWS: The Tribune's sltrib.com Mary Brown Malouf gives one star to Five Alls (1458 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City), while Best Bites stops at Caffe Niche (779 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City). ... Deseret News' desertetnews.com Stacey Kratz gives three and a half stars to the pizza at Settebello (260 S. 200 West) and three stars to the gelato at Dolcetti (1751 S. 1100 East).

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Takeout Services on the Rise

Time-pressed Americans' push for more food to go is reshaping the way restaurants do business, USA Today's Bruce Horovitz usatoday.com reports. Well over half of the meals purchased at the nation's estimated 935,000 restaurants are eaten at home, back at the office or in the car. Twenty five years ago, far more people ate restaurant food in eatries than took it out. By 2006, the typical American ate 81 meals inside restaurants but ordered 127 to go, reports researcher NPD group. The paper cites increased takeout services at a number of national chains, including Cheesecake Factory, Outback Steakhouse and P.F. Chang's, as well as Washington, D.C.'s historic Old Ebbitt Grill.

IN THE NEWS: City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Pho Hoa (3460 S. Redwood Road). slweekly.com ... Deseret News' Stacey Kratz gives two and a half stars to Su Casa (516 E. 300 South). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Hong Kong Tea House Suffers Construction

IN THE NEWS: City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reports, "A concerned customer of the Hong Kong Tea House & Restaurant (565 W. 200 South) sent me a plea to help get the word out this week, concerned that he may lose his favorite Utah Chinese restaurant. According to a reader named Dave, the light-rail construction project on 200 South has so drastically affected business at Hong Kong Tea House that the owners are concerned they might not survive it. The main problem is that the temporary parking is inadequate for the regular patrons of the restaurant, since most of the parking was originally on 200 South. So, if you’re also a fan of the Tea House—and want to save it—run, walk, jog, drive, bike, take a bus or taxi. But the word is that, unless business picks up immediately, the restaurant might not make it." slweekly.com ... The Salt Lake Tribune's Kathy Stephenson previews the 15th annual downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market at Pioneer Park by looking back at the introduction of all-natural Morgan Valley Lamb to the market six years ago. sltrib.com ... Deseret News critic Stacey Kratz gives two and a half stars to Little Italy (9284 S. 700 East, Sandy). deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

New Chefs School To Open in August

IN THE NEWS: The Deseret Morning News' Wendy Leonard reports, "Utah will soon be serving up a platter of new chefs, as well as restaurant managers, pastry cooks and various designers with the opening of a new school in Draper. The Art Institute of Salt Lake City will open its doors to students in August, but the enrollment process has already begun. Since the announcement of the new school last week, President Darren Adamson said the Salt Lake City facility has received more than 600 inquiries and nearly two dozen formal applications." ... Critic Stacey Kratz awards four stars to Metropolitan (173 W. 300 South). www.deseretnews.com ... The Salt Lake Tribune's Anne Wilson gives two and a half stars in her review of Desert Bistro (1266 N. Highway 191, Moab). ... The paper also notes that Pandora's Tea Parlour has reopened in a historic home at 159 E. Main St., Midway. sltrib.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Mexican eatery La Frontera (1236 W. 400 South). slweekly.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Starbucks Launching McCartney's Newest

IN THE NEWS: If you can't stand Paul McCartney music, you don't want to go into one of the many Salt Lake City-area Starbucks on June 5. That's the day the Seattle coffee giant will launch McCartney's first album recorded on Starbucks' Hear Music label, called "Memory Almost Full," the Pugent Sound Business Journal reports. The album will be played in all Starbucks stores, all day, all over the world, Starbucks officials said. "Customers from Taipei to Topeka have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary album all within a span of 24 hours," said Ken Lombard, who is president of Starbucks Entertainment and runs Hear Music, in a statement. In March, Starbucks Corp. announced that former Beatle McCartney would be the first musician signed for Los Angeles-based Hear Music. ... The Tribune's Kathy Stephenson looks at area barbecue restaurants, including Greg Chamberlain's eatery Kaiser's Barbeque and General Store (962 S. 300 West). ... The Trib notes the expanded hours at Big City Pizza (237 S. 400 West) and the recent closing of Big City Soup (234 S. Main St.) to make way for redevelopment. sltrib.com ... City Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Finn's Cafe (1624 S. 1100 East). slweekly.com ... Deseret News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to 3 Little Pigs BBQ (10600 S. 1300 East, Sandy), while Doug Smeath also notes the closing of Big City Soup as well as Chilean Deli, which was shuttered May 26. deseretnews.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

America's Best Restaurant Cities

"Today ... most major cities in the U.S. have the kind of gastronomic diversity and regionality that is rich in every department, and even if you’ve visited recently, you can be sure that next time you go, there’ll be more new and enticing restaurants than you could possibly visit," writes Donald Burnam in a recent ForbesTraveler.com piece, "America's Best Restaurant Cities." "It’s getting hard not to have a great meal anywhere in the U.S.." Burnam continues.

Forbes' Top 10 Restaurant Cities:
1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. San Francisco
4. Los Angeles
5. New Orleans
6. Houston
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Atlanta
9. Boston
10. Las Vegas

Rankings were based on: Overall number of restaurants above the fast food level; Number of fine dining restaurants with national and international standing; Solid representation of regional American food; A wide segment of second-tier restaurants that would include seafood, steakhouses, and independently chef-owned restaurants; Breadth and depth of ethnic restaurants, especially if the city has neighborhood such as a Chinatown; A significant number of neigborhood restaurants where the locals tend to eat out regularly; A well-traveled clientele that regards eating out in that city one of the real pleasures of going there.

IN THE NEWS: The Paris Bistro (1500 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City) gets three stars from Anne Wilson in the Tribune, while the Best Bites column considers the Pink Flamingo Roll at Mikado Downtown, 67 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City. The paper also notes: Thai Wild Ginger recently opened at 1407 W. 9000 South, West Jordan: and The Robin's Nest, a popular soup and sandwich shop in East Millcreek, has moved to a new home at 311 S. Main in downtown Salt Lake City. sltrib.com ... Mizumi (8391 S. 700 East, Sandy) gets three stars from Stacey Kratz in the Deseret Morning News. deseretnews.com ... Ted Scheffler reviews Mazza Middle Eastern Cuisine (912 E. 900 South) in City Weekly.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

James Beard Awards Announced

Chicago's Frontera Grill won Outstanding Restaurant of the Year and Michel Richard of Michel Richard Citronelle in Washington, D.C. was named Outstanding Chef at the 2007 James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony. Hosted by CBS Early Show anchor Hannah Storm, the Beard Awards were held May 7 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center. More than 60 awards were presented by the country's pre-eminent nonprofit culinary organization, in its 20th anniversary celebration, and more than 1,600 industry leaders attended the ceremony. Other top awards went to: New York's L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, named Best New Restaurant; Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Yountville, Ca.) received the award for Outstanding Restaurateur; and David Chang (Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York) received the Rising Star Chef of the Year award. Celebrity and culinary superstar attendees included Stephanie March, Ted Allen, Katie Lee Joel, Martha Stewart, Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Thomas Keller, Jose Andres, Tom Colicchio, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Padma Lakshmi, and Marcus Samuelsson. The Foundation's Media Awards took place at a separate event at the Hudson Theatre at Millennium Broadway Hotel on May 6. All Award winners received a bronze medallion etched with the image of the late James Beard, the esteemed chef, cookbook author, and food journalist. There are no cash awards. Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards recognizes outstanding achievement within the fine food and beverage industry in North America. For full awards results, please visit http://www.jamesbeard.org.

Beard Award highlights are:

AMERICA'S CLASSICS: Primanti Brothers, Demetrios Patrinos, Pittsburgh, Pa.; The Pickwick, Christopher Wisocki, Duluth, Minn.; Doe's Eat Place, The Signa Family, Greenville, Miss.; Aunt Carrie's, Elsie Foy, Narragansett, R.I.; I

Brookville Hotel, Mark and Connie Martin, Abilene, Kan.; Weaver D's, Dexter Weaver, Athens, Ga.

BEST CHEF, GREAT LAKES: Grant Achatz, Alinea, Chicago

BEST CHEF, MID-ATLANTIC: R.J. Cooper, III, Vidalia, Washington, DC

BEST CHEF, MIDWEST: Celina Tio, The American Restaurant, Kansas City, Mo.

BEST CHEF, NEW YORK CITY: David Waltuck, Chanterelle, New York, NY

BEST CHEF, NORTHEAST: Frank McClelland, L'Espalier, Boston

BEST CHEF, NORTHWEST: John Sundstrom, Lark, Seattle

BEST CHEF, PACIFIC: Traci Des Jardins, Jardinière, San Francisco

BEST CHEF, SOUTH: Donald Link, Herbsaint, New Orleans

BEST CHEF, SOUTHEAST: Scott Peacock, Watershed, Decatur, Ga.

BEST CHEF, SOUTHWEST: Nobuo Fukuda, Sea Saw, Scottsdale, Ariz.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Chef-Owner: Joël Robuchon, New York, NY

OUTSTANDING CHEF: Michel Richard, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF: Michael Laskonis, Le Bernardin, New York, NY

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT: Frontera Grill, chef-owner: Rick and Deann Bayless, Chicago

OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR: Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE: Rick Tramonto, Gale Gand, and Richard Melman, Tru, Chicago

OUTSTANDING WINE AND SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL: Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards, Cupertino, Calif.

OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE: Mark Slater, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC

RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR: David Chang, Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York, NY

IN THE NEWS: USA Today's May 4 story on the ethical eating movement -- which is driven by customers who seek out food that is produced locally, organically and in a manner that has minimal effect on animals and the environment -- includes mention of these restaurants: Red Avocado, Iowa City, Iowa; T'afia, Houston; Sage's Cafe, Salt Lake City; Early Girl Eatery, Asheville, N.C. ; Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Calif.; Restaurant Nora, Washington, D.C. ... From The Trib's dining notes, "Since 1999, Big City has been the name for gourmet soups in Salt Lake City. Recently, the owners have expanded into the gourmet pizza realm, opening Big City Pizza at 237 S. 400 West, next to the popular soup shop ... Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar has opened its first Utah franchise in Layton at 694 W. Antelope Drive. The casual sit-down restaurant specializes in gourmet pizzas and pasta." ... The Best Bites column considers the Norwegian waffles at Finn's Cafe, 1624 S. 1100 East ... The Deseret News' Stacey Kratz gives three stars to Toasters, 151 W. 200 South ... The Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews Braza Grill Brazilian Steakhouse (5927 S. State St. in Murray and 1246 Legend Hill Drive in Clearfield) and Grille From Ipanema, 3763 Center Park Drive, Jordan Landing, West Jordan)..

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

James Beard Awards Await

Roughly the dining out equivalent of The Academy Awards, The James Beard Foundation annual awards ceremony takes place Monday, May 7, at the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. Go to www.jamesbeard.org for the complete list, but here's a partial list of national nominees:

-- Outstanding Restaurant: Boulevard, San Francisco; Frontera Grill, Chicago; Magnolia Grill, Durham, N.C., Picholine, New York; Spiaggia, Chicago.
-- Best New Restaurant: A Voce, New York City; Chochon, New Orleans; Cut, Beverly Hill, Calif; L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, New York City; Momofuku Ssam Bar, New York City; Restaurant Guy Savoy, Las Vegas.
-- Outstanding Restaurateur: Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif; Keith McNally, Balthazar, New York City; Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (R.J. Grunts, Wildfire, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!), Chicago; Drew Nieporent, Myriad Restaurant Group (Tribeca Grill, Nobu, Rubicon), New York City; Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean Georges restaurant, New York City.
-- Outstanding Chef: Tom Colicchio, Craft, New York City; Lee Hefter, Spago, Beverly Hills, Calif.; Jean Joho, Everest, Chicago; Paul Kahan, Blackbird, Chicago; Michel Richard, Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, D.C.
-- Rising Star Chef: Nate Appleman, A16, San Francisco; Graham Elliot Bowles, Avenues at The Peninsula Hotel, Philadelphia; David Chang, Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York; Patrick Connelly, Radius, Boston; Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park, New York City.

Restaurant magazine just released its list of the world's top 100 restaurants. (http://www.theworlds50best.com/2007_list.html) Here are the U.S. entries:

The French Laundry, Yountville, Ca. (No. 4)
Per Se, New York City (No. 9)
Jean Georges, New York City (No. 18)
Le Bernardin, New York City (No. 26)
Charlie Trotter's, Chicago (No. 30)
Daniel, New York City (No. 32)
Alinea, Chicago (No. 36)
Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Ca. (No. 40)
Masa, New York City (No. 56)
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons, New York City (No. 64)
Peter Lugar, Brooklyn, NY (No. 69)
Nobu New York, New York City (No. 89)
Gramercy Tavern, New York city (No. 90)
WD-50, New York City (No. 91)
Zuni Café, San Francisco (No. 98)
Alex at Wynn, Las Vegas (No. 100)

IN THE NEWS: The Salt Lake Tribune's Mary Brown Malouf gives one and a half stars to the Middle Eastern restaurant Cedars of Lebanon, 152 E. 200 South, Salt Lake City. Malouf also reports The Mayan Restaurant at 9400 S. State, in Sandy's Jordan Commons, has temporarily closed and will reopen later this spring with a revised name and a new chef and menu. When it reopens, the Mayan Adventure will serve Mexican and American entrées. www.sltrib.com. ... Deseret Morning News critic Stacey Kratz awards two and a half stars to Lanikai Grill Hawaiian Bar-B-Que, 1072 W. 10600 South, South Jordan. Prompted by a recent experience dining out with kids, Kratz also asks for reader input, specifically: "Singles and couples, what's hardest for you about dining out near families? Parents, what do you do to keep your kids in line and teach them a few social skills while dining out? Restaurants, what are your training and policies with regard to seating and serving families? And what can we all do to make dining out better for everyone? Please let me know at skratz@desnews.com." www.deseretnews.com ... The Weekly's Ted Scheffler reviews a trio of Thai joints: Sawadee Thai Restaurant, 754 E. South Temple; Thai Lotus, 212 E. 500 South; and Thai Orchid, 6219 S. Highland Drive. www.slweekly.com ... In case you missed them, here are the winners of the recent Salt Lake magazine's 10th annual dining awards:

Brunch in Salt Lake City: Grand America
Brunch outside Salt Lake City: Blue Boar Inn, Midway
Quick Eats: Siegfried's Delicatessen
Power Lunch: Bambara
Brew Pub: Squatter's
Chinese: Little World
Mexican: Red Iguana
Indian: Royal India
New American: Bambara
Japanese: Takashi
Italian: Lugano
Middle Eastern: Mazza
Ambience: Log Haven
Southeast Asian: Thai Garden
Reader's Choice: Jean Louis, Park City
Service: Chez Betty, Park City
Comfort Food: Q4U
Undiscovered: Reef's Kitchen, Kimball Junction
New Restaurant: Pine
Food Evangelist: Stephen Rosenberg, Liberty Heights Fresh
Community Award: Utah Food Bank
Wine List: Keith Chan of Monsoon Thai and Bangkok Thai on Main, Park City
Pastry Chef: Romina Rasmussen of Les Madeleines
Chef: Franck Peissel of Franck's
Lifetime Achievement: Tony Caputo
Golden Spoon for Hospitality: Snake Creek Grill, Heber
Southern Utah: Hell's Backbone Grill, Boulder
Northern Utah: Earl's Lodge at Snow Basin
Canyons: Log Haven
Park City: 350 Main Brasserie, Park City
Salt Lake City: Takashi