Tastemaker Awards

Dallas' best restaurant and top chef revealed at 2019 Tastemaker Awards

Here's No. 1.

Photo courtesy of Bullion

After weeks of celebrating the best restaurants, bars, chefs, and more in our 2019 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, the winners are in.

We dedicated a special editorial series to honoring nominees in a more than a dozen categories. A panel of expert judges helped select all of the winners, except for Best New Restaurant. That was determined by you, our readers, in a bracket-style tournament.

On April 25, the winners were revealed at an awards ceremony and tasting event at Fashion Industry Gallery, emceed by award-winning chef Dean Fearing.

These are the 2019 Tastemaker Award winners:

DALLAS

Restaurant of the Year: Bullion
Downtown Dallas opus serving classic and contemporary French dishes from Michelin-starred chef Bruno Davaillon.

Chef of the Year: Misti Norris, Petra & the Beast
Norris has enjoyed vast critical acclaim and this award is just the latest.

Rising Star Chef of the Year: Eric Freidline, Sevy's
Well-liked chef de cuisine at Sevy's is the secret weapon at this popular neighborhood restaurant.

Best New Restaurant: Taco Y Vino
Oak Cliff restaurant does a great job demystifying wine, with killer tacos to boot.

Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Mot Hai Ba
East Dallas favorite is beloved by locals for its authentic Vietnamese food.

Best Pizza: Zoli's
Italian-American sibling of Cane Rosso has the best crust in town.

Pastry Chef of the Year: Andrea Meyer, Bisous Bisous
Accomplished, creative, and hard-working, she's the queen of macarons in Dallas.

Bar of the Year: Shoals
Deep Ellum spot boasts perfectly mixed drinks, doesn't get better than that.

Bartender of the Year: Chris Unruh, Tiny Victories
This congenial all-star has poured at many establishments around Dallas.

Wine Program of the Year: Al Biernat's
Dallas steakhouse has top-tier service under the guidance of sommelier/wine director Todd Lincicome.

FORT WORTH

Restaurant of the Year: Clay Pigeon
Everything at chef Marcus Paslay's restaurant is made from scratch, and they were ahead of the curve on craft cocktails, too.

Chef of the Year: Juan Rodriguez, Magdalena's
Popular chef has worked at many top Tarrant County spots including the Classic Cafe in Roanoke, Lonesome Dove, and Reata.

Best New Restaurant: Four Sisters
Vietnamese restaurant from chef Tuan Pham, named for his four sisters, is a family affair.

Bar of the Year: Twilite Lounge
New Orleans-themed neighborhood bar featuring live music started out in Deep Ellum.

awards

Food To Eat, Things To Do

Margaritas reign over 5 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Mariano's

The frozen swirl, by Mariano's Hacienda

This week's food & drink events in Dallas include an incredible lesson in whiskey history about iconic brand Jack Daniel's. But first, experience a collaboration of art and food, a fine wine pairing dinner, and a stout beer festival. Last but not least, visit the birthplace of frozen margaritas on their very special day.

Thursday, February 20

The Art of Food
To be held at the Shops at Willow Bend, this colorful culinary event brings together young chefs and local artists to create tasty and artistic visual experiences. Tickets start at $85 and include more than 20 chef tasting stations, adult drinks, music, and “live art.” The event will run from 6–9 pm. Proceeds benefit Independence Gardens, Abide Women's Health, Intellichoice, and Top Achievers Plano.

An Evening with Caymus Vineyards at Al Biernat’s North
Relish in four courses, including veal and wild mushroom risotto arancini and filet mignon Wellington Luis, paired with Caymus Vinyards wines. The dinner is $195 plus tax and gratuity, and begins with an opening reception at 6:30 pm. Call 972-239-3400 for reservations.

Friday, February 21

Love & Whiskey Unfiltered Book Tour at Taste Kitchen + Bar
Founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Fawn Weaver, is also the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest. Hear her during this book talk and whiskey tasting at Taste Kitchen + Bar. Special guest Victoria Eady Butler, a master whiskey blender and great-great-granddaughter of Nearest himself, will lead the tasting of four whiskeys. Tickets are $100 plus tax and fee, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Saturday, February 22

National Margarita Day at Mariano’s Hacienda and La Hacienda Ranch
Lots of restaurants and bars will have specials for National Margarita Day, but only one can claim the world’s first frozen margarita. Mariano Martinez developed the ingenious invention in 1971 after opening his original Dallas location. In 2005 the “World’s First Frozen Margarita Machine” was inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Find the frozen concoction on special for $9 at all locations, including Arlington, Dallas, Frisco, and Colleyville.

Festival of Darkness at Tupps Brewery
The annual celebration of dark beer draws stout lovers from all over DFW to Tupps Brewery in McKinney. There’ll be live music, “dark” foods,” and more than a dozen stouts on tap to try. Tickets are $40 and include a glass and tasting card good for eight 5-ounce pours. The event starts at 6 pm.

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