The 2021 Tastemakers

A toast to the top Texas restaurants and bars crowned at Tastemakers 2021

Each year, CultureMap celebrates Texas' culinary stars with our Tastemaker Awards program. This year felt especially celebratory, as we honored the resilience and ingenuity of restaurants, bars, chefs, and bartenders from across the state with the return of our in-person events held throughout the summer.

Our 2021 Tastemakers tour kicked off in Houston on July 22 with a full house of guests and nominees gathering for food, drink, and a lively awards ceremony emceed by Houston legend Bun B. We then traveled to Austin on August 5, where we honored our Austin and San Antonio nominees and unveiled the winners in an awards program featuring Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. On August 19, we wrapped things up with a delicious night in Dallas, celebrating Dallas-Fort Worth's top culinary talent and welcoming comedian CJ Starr as emcee of the evening.

Guests dined on specialty bites prepared by participating nominees and enjoyed a variety of cocktails and other sips perfectly suited for a summer celebration. But the stars of the show — and the heart of the program — were our nominees and winners.

Our 2021 nominees were selected by local panels of industry experts, including past Tastemaker winners. The panels then determined winners in each category, except for Best New Restaurant, which was determined by readers in our popular online tournament, and the Hero Award in Dallas and Fort Worth, which was determined by our editors.

Join us in raising a final toast to the 2021 Tastemaker Awards winners, listed below. And watch the video above for highlights from all of our 2021 events.

Restaurant of the Year: José
Chef of the Year: Matt Balke, Encina
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Carol Nguyen, Ngon Vietnamese
Best New Restaurant: Monarch
Best Ghost Kitchen: TLC Vegan Kitchen
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Edoko Omakase
Pastry Chef of the Year: Corey Thomson, Fearing's
Bar of the Year: Cosmo's
Bartender of the Year: Liz Mitchell, Thunderbird Station
Wine Program of the Year: Veritas Wine Room
Hero Award: Meaders Ozarow

Restaurant of the Year: Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar
Chef of the Year: Felipe Armenta, Tavern, Towne Grill, Maria's
Best New Restaurant: La Onda
Bar of the Year: Tulips
Hero Award: Jon Bonnell

Restaurant of the Year: Nobie’s
Chef of the Year: Kaitlin Steets, Littlefoot/Theodore Rex
Rising Star Chef of the Year: AJ Ede, Brasil
Best New Restaurant: Xin Chào
Best Pop-up/Startup: Josh Deleon, Underground Creamery
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Candente
Pastry Chef of the Year: Drew Gimma, Bread Man Baking Co.
Bar of the Year: Heights Bier Garten
Bartender of the Year: Alphonso Quiñones, Tiny Champions
Wine Program of the Year: Squable

Restaurant of the Year: Nixta
Chef of the Year: Fiore Tedesco, L’Oca d’Oro
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Damien Brockway, Distant Relatives
Best New Restaurant: Plank Seafood Provisions
Best Ghost Kitchen: Mother Klucker
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Bouldin Creek Cafe
Pastry Chef of the Year: Ariana Quant, Uchiko, Uchi
Bar of the Year: Garage
Bartender of the Year: Travis Tober, Old Pal, Nickel City
Wine Program of the Year: LoLo
Brewery of the Year: Blue Owl Brewing

San Antonio

Restaurant of the Year: Clementine
Chef of the Year: Nicola Blaque, The Jerk Shack
Best New Restaurant: Southerleigh Haute South
Best Ghost Kitchen: Curry Boys
Bar of the Year: The Esquire Tavern

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The CultureMap Dallas-Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards was brought to you by Deep Ellum Brewing Company, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Stranahan's Whiskey, and Topo Chico. A portion of proceeds benefit our local nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

San Antonio Restaurant of the Year: Clementine.

Clementine SA hush puppies

Clementine

San Antonio Restaurant of the Year: Clementine.

Opening news

Bistro with big names to open at Dallas' Preston Hollow Village

Ella

Kathy Tran

Ella

An intimate American bistro with a rockstar team is opening at Dallas' Shops at Preston Hollow. Called Ella, it will open with a menu of modern comfort food in an upscale setting, in the former Chido Taco Lounge space at 7949 Walnut Hill Ln #130. According to a release, Ella is from restaurateur Blaine McGowan, who also founded Chido Taco Lounge, and will open for dinner on June 17, with lunch and weekend brunch to follow.

Team
Executive Chef is Kyle Farr (Sachet, Boulevardier) oveseeing a menu that spans elevated comfort fare and chef-driven classics, combining familiar dishes with sophisticated flair. General manager and beverage director is Julian Shaffer, formerly bar manager at Rye, who recently won an award in the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas for Exceptional Cocktails — the first time this award has ever been given.

“We wanted to bring something to the neighborhood that wasn’t there—something welcoming and refined. We want to hit on all cylinders with this concept: exceptional food, drinks, and service,” McGowan says. “With Julian and Kyle leading the way, we have an opportunity to do something very special and bring a new experience to Dallas. Service is of the utmost importance to us, and we plan to provide guests with an amazing experience all around. Our focus is on the people, both employees and guests.”

Ella EllaKathy Tran

Food. Standout dishes include:

Shrimp and Masa Dumplings are a vibrant starter, with roasted peppers and tomato with charred broccolini
Steak Tartare, made with tenderloin, Dijon, cured egg yolk
Pork Cheeks, with orange jus, roasted carrots, and sunchokes
Bolognese, with fresh pappardelle tossed in house-made sauce
Short Rib, slow-braised in red wine and accompanied by smoked sweet potato and charred broccolini
Salmon with roasted beet purée, chickpeas, parsnips, and roasted carrots.

Drink. Cocktail highlights include

Chocolate Raspberries - brandy, raspberry, and cocoa butter
Poached Pear - brandy and Riesling with miso brown butter and fresh pear
Summer Daiquiri - Charanda (a Mexican sugarcane spirit) with watermelon and mint
Salsa Verde Ranch Water - tequila and mezcal with tomatillo and citrus
Shiso Gin and Tonic - gin, shiso, Szechuan peppercorn, and tonic

Decor
The 2,500 square foot space with 63 seats, including bar seating — plus an additional 600-square-foot mezzanine. The release says the space has a "female-forward feel" 🙄 blending modern design with an inviting atmosphere. Guests arrive through a romantically lit patio into an interior that feels warm and polished with earthy green paneled walls, 12-foot globe chandeliers, a red tile bar, and cozy booths. Hidden behind drapery lies a semi-secret staircase that leads guests to the mezzanine, where the existing Customs Speakeasy will remain open, offering craft cocktails crafted with premium Mexican spirits from bartender Jairo Castillo.

awards openings

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