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    Tastemaker Winners

    Houston restaurant of the year, top chefs, and more revealed at 2016 Tastemaker Awards

    Eric Sandler
    May 18, 2016 | 9:25 pm

    Over the past month, we’ve introduced you to the food and beverage industry’s top talent as part of our 2016 Tastemaker Awards. From the best Houston restaurants and chefs to local breweries and bars, the competition was steep for this year’s nominees.

    On Wednesday night at our annual Tastemaker party, celebrity chef and Astros fan Bryan Caswell revealed the top selections from our expert panel of restaurant industry insiders to a crowd of more than 600 people.

    Join us in raising a glass to toast the outstanding food and beverage winners for the 2016 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards:

    Restaurant of the Year: Pax Americana
    The ambitious Montrose restaurant topped the field thanks to its combination of chef Adam Dorris's creative, constantly changing menu, Shepard Ross's high-energy presence in the front of the house, and a sophisticated beverage program that mixes creative cocktails with a carefully-selected, Old World-oriented wine list.

    Chef of the Year: Adam Dorris, Pax Americana
    It makes sense that the Restaurant of the Year would be led by the Chef of the Year. Adam Dorris's passionate support of local farmers and his interest in preservation techniques, such as pickling and smoking, drive much of his cuisine.

    Rising Star Chef of the Year: Graham Laborde, Bernadine's
    ​Graham Laborde's upbringing in Lafayette, Louisiana, and training at some of New Orleans' finest restaurants prepared him to lead the Treadsack Group's restaurant that's intended to serve as a "love letter to the Gulf Coast." After putting away one of his signature I-10 towers, diners may want to write Laborde a letter or two of their own.

    Pastry Chef of the Year: Rebecca Masson, Fluff Bake Bar
    Her brick and mortar bakery finally gives fans more reliable access to her comforting confections, but Rebecca Masson isn't content just to serve fluffernutters and Veruca Salt cup|cakes. Her Saturday morning bake sales attract top talent from across Texas to try their hand at sweets, which mean diners always have a reason to stop by.

    Bar of the Year: Public Services Wine & Whisky
    The elegant downtown space may emphasize its extensive collections of Sherry and Sherry-finished whisky, but the extensive wine list and knowledgeable service make it a top spot for almost any occasion. Oxheart prepares the bar's tidy menu of snacks, including the recent addition of cold fried chicken.

    Bartender of the Year: Terry Williams, Anvil Bar & Refuge
    In the words of Anvil owner Bobby Heugel, Terry Williams sets himself apart with his love for taking care of people. Whether that's the other bartenders on Anvil's staff or the customers who still flood into the bar for expertly-made cocktails, Williams can be counted on to focus on the task at hand and provide true hospitality.

    Brewery of the Year: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
    Houston's oldest craft brewery also continues to be one of its most innovative. Recent additions to the year-round lineup like Art Car IPA and 5 O'Clock Pils deliver balanced flavors, while the limited production Bishop's Barrel and Divine Reserve series remain highly coveted by collectors.

    Sommelier of the Year: Evan Turner, Helen Greek Food & Wine
    Evan Turner's near religious fervor for Greek food and wine led him to open Helen, and the results — including best new restaurant plaudits from a range of critics and a James Beard semifinalist nomination — speak to how well he's realized that dream. Whether or not patrons are familiar with the all-Greek wine list, Turner will always know just what to suggest.

    Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Weights + Measures
    Whether coming by in the morning for a freshly baked pastry and coffee, at lunch for a pizza or burger, or at dinner for some of chef Richard Kaplan's signature charcuterie and a bottle of wine, Midtown restaurant Weights + Measures will cater to almost any occasion. Brunch combines all of its strengths into one meal, which may explain why it's routinely packed every weekend from 9 am to 3 pm.

    Best New Restaurant: State of Grace
    No one should be surprised that the ultra-popular River Oaks restaurant won this category, which was voted on by CultureMap readers. State of Grace's elegant dining room and diverse, seafood-oriented menu have had it packed since day one, and the quality of both food and service have only improved with time.

    Sommelier of the Year Evan Turner.

    Arthur Ave Helen Evan Turner
      
    Photo by Shannon O’Hara
    Sommelier of the Year Evan Turner.
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    The Best in Texas

    The unequivocal list of the best restaurants and bars in Texas 2016

    Jennifer Chininis
    May 24, 2016 | 11:30 am
    The unequivocal list of the best restaurants and bars in Texas 2016
    Mixtli/Facebook
    San Antonio Restaurant of the Year Mixtli.

    Whether at home or traveling, one question we Texans always want answered is where to eat. Our annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards provides plenty of answers. The program started in Austin in 2012, as a way to honor the top talent in the restaurant and bar communities, and has since expanded to include every city we serve: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

    What makes Tastemakers unique is that we not only rely on the intelligence of our staff and contributors on the ground in those cities to help identify the nominees, but we also enlist industry experts to offer advice and, ultimately, decide who wins — except in the category of Best New Restaurant, which is determined by our readers.

    The Tastemaker Awards, the largest and most comprehensive culinary tribute of its kind, truly represents the best restaurants, chefs, bars, and bartenders in the state, those who innovate and inspire not only local diners, but also their peers. The 2016 winners represent the best in Texas dining right now.

    Below we have listed those who took home prizes in myriad categories, presented during celebratory events May 17-19 in Austin, Houston, and Dallas. If you are hungry to read more about the people and places mentioned here, click on the city name to read why they deserve the Tastemaker title.

    AUSTIN

    • Restaurant of the Year: Dai Due
    • Chef of the Year: Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas, Olamaie
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Nicholas Yanes, Juniper
    • Pastry Chef of the Year: Janina O'Leary
    • Bar of the Year: The Townsend
    • Bartender of the Year: Justin Elliott, The Townsend
    • Brewery of the Year: Jester King
    • Sommelier of the Year: June Rodil, McGuire Moorman Hospitality
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Evangeline Cafe
    • Best New Restaurant: Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar

    DALLAS

    • Restaurant of the Year: Tei-An
    • Chef of the Year: John Tesar, Knife
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Kirstyn Brewer, Victor Tangos
    • Pastry Chef of the Year (tie): Marlene Duke, The Theodore, and Alison Morse, Front Room Tavern
    • Bar of the Year: Midnight Rambler
    • Bartender of the Year: Kyle Hilla, The Theodore
    • Brewery of the Year: On Rotation
    • Sommelier of the Year: Jeff Gregory, FT33
    • Best Sushi Restaurant: Tei Tei Robata Bar
    • Best New Restaurant: Resident Taqueria

    FORT WORTH

    • Restaurant of the Year: Revolver Taco Lounge
    • Chef of the Year: Tim Love, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Love Shack, Woodshed Smokehouse
    • Best New Restaurant: The Dive Oyster Bar

    HOUSTON

    • Restaurant of the Year: Pax Americana
    • Chef of the Year: Adam Dorris, Pax Americana
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Graham Laborde, Bernadine's
    • Pastry Chef of the Year: Rebecca Masson, Fluff Bake Bar
    • Bar of the Year: Public Services Wine & Whisky
    • Bartender of the Year: Terry Williams, Anvil Bar & Refuge
    • Brewery of the Year: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
    • Sommelier of the Year: Evan Turner, Helen Greek Food & Wine
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Weights + Measures
    • Best New Restaurant: State of Grace

    SAN ANTONIO

    • Restaurant of the Year: Mixtli
    • Chef of the Year: Jason Dady, Tre Trattoria and Shuck Shack
    • Best New Restaurant: Mezcaleria Mixtli

    San Antonio Restaurant of the Year Mixtli.

    Mixtli
      
    Mixtli/Facebook
    San Antonio Restaurant of the Year Mixtli.
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