Latest news with #LechedeTigre
Eater
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Where James Beard Nominees Ate and Drank in Chicago
The top chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, and sommeliers descended on Chicago last weekend for the 35th annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, and they came hungry. While some nominees arrived the night before or even the day of the gala on Monday, June 16, at Lyric Opera, leaving only time for a quick bite at their hotel or a fast-food run, most spent the weekend attending or working at the many James Beard Awards pop-ups and events and hitting up some of the best restaurants in Chicago. From tasting menus to carnitas picnics, here are the best dining and drinking experiences James Beard Award nominees had in the Windy City. 'I went to Kasama and was able to meet chef Timothy [Flores]. I was super blown away by the pork belly adobo and that breakfast sandwich.' — Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre , San Antonio, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Texas) 'There was this lemon mascarpone ice cream with caviar at Monteverde that was delicious: sweet, savory, and funky.' — Ryan Castelaz, Agency , Milwaukee, (2025 finalist, Best New Bar) 'We had ramen at High Five Ramen. We had two different ones, both broths were incredible. Love the basement ambiance of it all.' — Jay Blackinton, Houlme , Orcas Island, Washington, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific) 'We had dinner at Boka last night and it was absolutely an incredible experience from start to finish. [We ate] essentially the entire menu. There was maybe only one thing we didn't try, and everything was from top to bottom pretty much a hit.' — Joseph Harrison, Aria , Atlanta, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Hospitality) 'We had a beautiful omelet this morning at Lula Cafe that was just fluffy and delicious with a little bit of onion relish on top of it.' — Andrés Loaiza, Aria , Atlanta, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Hospitality) 'We went to another of our fellow nominee's bars, Kumiko, and had some phenomenal cocktails. I couldn't even pick just one. I feel really honored to be recognized in the same group because they're excellent.' — Max Overstrom-Coleman, Wolf Tree , White River Junction, Vermont, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Bar) 'We went to Uncle Mike's Place for breakfast and it really hit the spot. The lugaw on the table when you first walk in is like the most nourishing, delicious bite, and it's a really good way to start the day. [They have] excellent pork chops. It's absolutely fantastic.' — Silver Iocovozzi, Neng Jr.'s , Asheville, North Carolina, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southeast) 'Late night empanadas at Estereo.' — Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro , Portland, Oregon, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific) 'Carnitas Uruapan. We just had a picnic at the park right next to it. It's one of those places that I always say when you're in Chicago, go there for carnitas by the pound. It just hits all the spots.' — Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina , Denver, (2025 finalist, Best New Restaurant) 'We got the duck a la presse from the Alston. When you see that on the menu, you have to order it.' — Brandon Cunningham, The Social Haus , Greenough, Montana, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Mountain) 'We ate the shawarma chicken at Avec. It was absolutely delicious. We also were at Asador Bastian and had one of their steaks, which is also surreal.' — Ignacio 'Nacho' Jimenez, Superbueno , New York City, ( 2025 winner, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service ) 'We had dinner at Alinea. That was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that we were looking forward to the whole trip here. That was beautiful.' — Eleazar Villanueva, Restaurant de Joël Robuchon , Las Vegas, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southwest) 'Monteverde is an amazing restaurant. We were just recapping again for the fourth time all the pastas, especially that eggplant that [chef Sarah Grueneberg] does. It's unreal.' — Stuart Brioza, Atomic Workshop , San Francisco, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Restaurateur) 'Every time I go to Chicago, going back all the way to 2005, I stop at Avec. I always have to stop at Avec. It's old, it's classic, but it reminds me of a long time ago. We did a really great dinner at HaiSous. We had a wonderful time. We did a wonderful event at Bar Sótano. It's Chicago. You always find good food.' — Zack Walters, Sedalia's Oyster & Seafood , Oklahoma City, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southwest) 'I'm a sucker for Avec. I love Avec so much. The vibe, especially the one in the West Loop, is so close and intimate you always end up sharing food with someone random next to you. The sight of the kitchen and all of the flavors are great.' — Noam Bilitzer, MeeshMeesh Mediterranean , Louisville, Kentucky, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southeast) 'We went to an all-you-can-eat wagyu Japanese barbecue spot, Wagyu House, that was like from the future. I love seeing different forms of dining and that's something that I could just enjoy — just pure product on a plate. I haven't had a bad meal here. We did a sandwich crawl yesterday. I have a sandwich shop and we tried about nine to 10 different sandwiches. The [best was the] dip from Bari. I could have just had a gravy bread from there. It's too hot in West Texas for me to do that there, but there's nothing better than broth and bread.' — Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo , Marfa, Texas, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Texas) 'We had dim sum at MingHin and it was amazing. The shumai was incredible. Then we went to Loba for pastries and there was a mole strawberry croissant that was amazing.' — Jake Howell, Peninsula , Nashville, Tennessee, ( 2025 winner, Best Chef: Southeast ) Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2025 . All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation. See More:
Axios
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
San Antonio could make James Beard Awards history Monday night
Two San Antonio names will represent the local culinary scene at the James Beard Awards in Chicago on Monday night. Why it matters: The awards are considered the Oscars of the food world. A win — which would be a first for the city — would shine a national spotlight on our hospitality culture. State of play: Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre is a finalist for Best Chef in Texas, and Mixtli is a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Oliva opened Leche de Tigre with his brothers Axel and Alec Oliva in 2023. It quickly became a local favorite for Peruvian cuisine and cocktails and a standout new restaurant in the state. Mixtli is an innovative restaurant that transports diners through different regions of Mexico. Both restaurants are in Southtown. What they're saying: Mixtli chef Diego Galicia, who co-owns the restaurant with chef Rico Torres, tells Axios being a finalist already feels like a win. "The city has made all of our dreams come true. I so hope we bring them a medal," he says.
Axios
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
James Beard Awards snub San Antonio yet again
San Antonio's two James Beard Awards hopefuls — Mixtli for Outstanding Hospitality and Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre for Best Texas Chef — left Monday night's ceremony empty-handed. Why it matters: San Antonio has never won a James Beard Award, long considered the Oscars of the culinary world.
Axios
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Get to know San Antonio mayoral runoff candidates
There's only about a month between the May 3 election and June 7 runoff for San Antonio voters to get to know mayoral candidates Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos, the two who emerged on top from a field of 27 people. We asked each a series of fun questions to learn more about them as a person. Catch up quick: Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force undersecretary under the Biden administration, won about 27% of the vote in the May 3 election. Pablos, a former Texas secretary of state appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, won nearly 17%. Early voting is underway now through June 3. Find polling times and locations online. Election day is June 7. Here are the questions: How do you start your morning? What's your favorite restaurant in the city? Tell us a fun fact about you. What are your hobbies when you're not working? What's your favorite TV show? What's your favorite movie? What's your favorite book? What's your favorite band or musician? What's your proudest personal achievement? What do you consider your top career accomplishment? Here's what they told us. Gina Ortiz Jones Thinking about how many people in our city would suffer if our next mayor was a green light for Trump/Abbott. Dinner: Leche de Tigre, Breakfast: the (El Rodeo De) Jalisco on Potranco and Dugas. I've been shark cage diving off the coast of South Africa. Reading, running and grabbing a spicy margarita with friends. "The Sopranos." "(The) Godfather (Part II)." Hannah Arendt's "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil." George Strait. Being a good big sister and daughter. From Air Force intelligence officer deployed to Iraq, to 27th Under Secretary of the Air Force, my service has always been to our country. Rolando Pablos I spend time praying and meditating. It helps me compose myself and reflect on the blessings in my life. Mi Tierra. I love it and Market Square because our city's culture is so alive there, and it's filled with visitors from other cultures. My family immigrated from Mexico in 1976, when I was 8 years old. I appreciate the sacrifices my parents made, and we have lived the American dream. I love hunting. I'm a "foodie" and enjoy trying different restaurants. And I'm a big fan of all genres of music and enjoy concerts. "Entourage." "Lost in Translation." The Bible and "The Road Less Traveled." Rush. My 30-year marriage to my wonderful wife and our four remarkable children. I'm also blessed to have a very tight-knit extended family.
Axios
02-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
San Antonio chef and restaurant named 2025 James Beard finalists
San Antonio's Mixtli and Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre and are heading to the final round of the James Beard awards. Why it matters: Despite local chefs and restaurants having been nominated in the past, none has ever won a James Beard award, which carries national prestige. The latest: Oliva, who co-owns Leche de Tigre with his two brothers, is a finalist for Best Chef in Texas. Mixtli, an innovative restaurant that transports diners through different regions of Mexico, was announced as a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Zoom in: Mixtli became San Antonio's first Michelin-starred restaurant in November. Its sommelier, Hailey Pruitt, and bar director Lauren Beckman also won the Michelin Outstanding Service Award. Leche de Tigre opened in February 2023 and had garnered plenty of local and national acclaim. It was one of 57 Texas restaurants " recommended" by Michelin. In 2019, James Beard restructured the Best Chef category, giving Texas its own region. Here are the chefs representing that group with Oliva.
