It is time now to announce the winners of the 2011 Eater Awards, presented by Patrón Tequila. In over 50 categories spanning thirteen cities, the winners comprise a diverse bunch of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the country. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts....
To recap, Eater's local editors in NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Miami nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and Best Bathroom. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose the winner. Winners were then moved up to a national round to select the best of all the land. In very rare cases, we exercised Rule 17, Sub. 19, which allows for veto of the popular vote. (This rule was used just once in 2010.) In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.
Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes. And now, without further ado, the winners in Los Angeles. Click through for the full rundown of winners across the country on Eater National.
=== LOS ANGELES ===
Restaurant of the Year, Los Angeles
Nominees: Picca, Son of a Gun, Red Medicine, Eveleigh, Farmshop
Winner: Red Medicine
So Hot Right Now, Los Angeles
Nominees: Mercato di Vetro, ink., Picca, Maximiliano, The Churchill, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
Winner: ink.
Chef of the Year, Los Angeles
Nominees: Ricardo Zarate (Picca), Michael Voltaggio (ink.), Laurent Quenioux, David LeFevre (MB Post), Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun), Nancy Silverton (Short Order, Mozza), Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites)
Winner: David LeFevre (MB Post)
Bartender of the Year, Los Angeles
Nominees: Pablo Moix (Black Market), Julian Cox (Sotto, Picca, Short Order), Matt Biancaniello (Library Bar), Aidan Demarest (Neat), Naomi Schimek (The Spare Room), David Kupchinsky (Eveleigh)
Winner: Julian Cox (Sotto, Picca, Short Order)
Best Bathroom, Los Angeles
Nominees: Ozumo, The Bazaar, Hamburger Mary's, Michael's, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air
Winner: Hamburger Mary's
The Eater Awards 2011 would not be possible not only without presenting sponsor Patrón Tequila but also the event's product sponsors—Seamless, Organic Valley, USA Pears, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Whole Foods, Pat LaFrieda, Forever Cheese, and Sokol Blosser—and participating restaurants—Mission Chinese, Cookshop, Franklin BBQ, Baohaus, flour + water, Beast, Pok Pok, Red Farm, and Marble Lane. We salute them all.