‘Julia’s stove’
courtesy of ‘volcanojw’

By now, you’re all abuzz about the James Beard Foundation’s 2011 Restaurants and Chefs Awards Semifinalists list. The final list of nominees will be announced on March 21, 2011 and the winners will be selected in May. Read on for the breakdown of which DC restaurants and chefs made the cut.
And the semifinalists from the DC area are…

Best New Restaurant:
Estadio
Kushi Izakaya & Sushi

Outstanding Chef:
José Andrés, minibar by José Andrés

Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Huw Griffiths, Tabard Inn

Outstanding Restaurant:
Palena

Outstanding Restauranteur:
Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, Washington, D.C. (701, Ardeo + Bardeo, Bibiana, The Bombay Club, The Oval Room, and Rasika)

Outstanding Service:
Marcel’s

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional:
Todd Thrasher, Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA

Rising Star Chef of the Year:
Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana

Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic:
Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA
Bertrand Chemel, 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, VA
Tony Conte, The Oval Room
Johnny Monis, Komi
Peter Pastan, Obelisk
Vikram Sunderam, Rasika

Marissa Bialecki

Marissa was born and bred in New Jersey, but moved to DC for undergrad at GWU (Go Colonials, go!), fell in love with the District and learned that there was life and civilization beyond New York City. She loves eating at white-tablecloth-three-forks-at-your-place-setting restaurants, but she’ll also be the first to suggest we scarf down some chili dogs at 2 am. Simply put, she loves all things food. You can also read about why she loves DC. Follow her on Twitter and email her at mbialecki (at) welovedc.com.