2025 Semifinalists for the James Beard Awards

This year’s semifinalists have been announced:

Here are the wine program nominations:

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

A restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food. This includes the selection, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer, or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that helps inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Ethical sourcing will also be considered.

  • Bar Brava, Minneapolis, MN
  • Campo at Los Poblanos, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
  • Càphê Roasters, Philadelphia, PA
  • Charleston, Baltimore, MD
  • Elske, Chicago, IL
  • Hawksmoor, New York, NY
  • Hop Alley, Denver, CO
  • JJ’s Restaurant, Kansas City, MO
  • Kitchen Istanbul, San Francisco, CA
  • Leo’s House of Thirst, Asheville, NC
  • Ltd Edition Sushi, Seattle, WA
  • Lucian Books and Wine, Buckhead, GA
  • Macchialina , Miami, FL
  • March, Houston, TX
  • Oyster Club, Mystic, CT
  • Pluck Wine Bar and Restaurant, New Orleans, LA
  • Spencer, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Strong Water, Anaheim, CA
  • Taconeta, El Paso, TX
  • Waxlight Bar à Vin, Buffalo, NY

Have you been to any of them?

I had dinner at Lucian Books and Wine in Buckhead when I was in Atlanta for work. I really enjoyed the meal there with a couple of wines by the glass. I was dining solo and unfortunately did not take note of the particular wines that I tried.

I’d be curious to hear about any of your experiences.

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We go to Lucian frequently, but we always bring our own wines. Their program is fine, but I’ve yet to find a Berserker worthy wine program (with reasonable prices) in the US.

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Fair point. I was thinking more so for when I’m traveling to another city, it’s nice to have some options, even if it’s not going to compare to the cellars in Europe.

I’ve been to Charleston in Baltimore. Excellent restaurant in all aspects: Food, Service and Wine. It has been a while since I was up that way. Reminds me to go again!

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Republique is pretty good; we got a mag of 13 bouchard ursules for less than retail last time we were there and they at least recently had bernard bonin for pretty decent prices.

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Republique is great. My friend lives close by and we usually grab breakfast and/or baked goods when we stay with him. Now I know to grab a bottle of burgundy as well. Thanks!

Chambers and Blue Hill Stone barn in NY. The Morris in SF.

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Haven’t been. Scanning the list, doesn’t seem wowza? What am I missing?

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Love Macchialina!

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Ha! Potential venue for our next meet up!

Their wine list?

Hmm, yeah, not sure. Maybe their $10 corkage on Mondays? :wink:

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Caphe Roasters in Philadelphia is only coffee, no wine program at all.

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Must be damn good coffee!

Our youngest is going to school in Denver and since he started there, we’ve been to Hop Alley several times. It’s high quality Chinese, sometimes with a modern twist. Interesting wine/cider/beer list.

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Ah, nice! Will have to check it out next time. I haven’t spent much time in the city but have passed through a few times for business or ski trips.

Elevated low country cuisine in Baltimore. Interesting! Added to the list. My cousin lives in Baltimore. We can check it out on our next visit after my wife gets her fill of crabs.

Which raises an interesting question. I wonder which wines would go well with Maryland crabs.

My daughter is the wine director at Elske so I’m watching this closely.

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That’s awesome. Congrats on the nomination! I see they’re already Michelin starred and this would be great recognition for your daughter’s efforts. You may even need to host a Berserker dinner there if they win! :wink: Fingers crossed that that will be the case!

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In MD, when we go to crab houses, we drink beer - preferably Natty Bo! But, if you insist on wine, a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling will do - nothing fancy.

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Oyster Club is local to me. For years I used to eat there frequently. Food was very good, and the chef has a nose-to-tail practice which I like. But I won’t go there now, so I can’t speak to the current wine list.

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