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.

Downtown Dining

Indian restaurant Gymkhana adds an urban touch to downtown Dallas

Gymkhana

Gymkhana

Gymkhana

A plush new Indian restaurant is now open in the heart of downtown Dallas: Called Gymkhana, it's located at 1408-1410 Main St., in the former Which Wich Sandwich/Birdguesa space, where it's serving a wide range of Indian dishes in an elegant, upscale setting.

Gymkhana is from prolific restaurateur Praveen Prasannan, an industry veteran with international experience working at hotels and on cruise ships. Prasannan is also the owner of Shivas Bar and Grill, an elevated Indian concept he owns with his brother Prinu, with outlets in downtown Dallas and in Allen; and Elephant Bar & Grill, another upscale Indian brand with locations in East Dallas and Bishop Arts.

Gymkhana — which is no relation to a London-based concept with the same name — is Prasannan's latest creation, and furthers his mission to champion authentic Indian food — from all parts of India, including Mumbai, where he's from — in a nicer environment than other Indian restaurants in the area.

The menu features traditional Indian dishes but with an occasional contemporary flair. Soups, for example, include a traditional madras tomato soup next to a lobster bisque. There are classics like samosas but also adventurous fusion items like hummus with garlic naan, or mussels "Indian style" with velvet tikka sauce.

They offer a number of dishes baked tandoori-style in a clay oven that imparts an irresistible smokiness, in dishes such as lamb and chicken kebabs.

Like most Indian restaurants, Gymkhana is vegetarian-friendly, even offering vegan dishes such as chana masala — chickpeas in a spicy tomato-onion sauce. Prices are relatively low, with entrees averaging about $21.

"I wanted to make sure it was affordable — that was important," Prasannan says.

GymkhanaGymkhana

Decor
The restaurant is inspired by the traditional social clubs of India, celebrating the spirit of togetherness and conversation, designed with intricate detail, Prasannan says.

"I brought in antiques from India to create a distinctive atmosphere, to give the restaurant a strong identity," he says.

The facade features centuries-old hand-carved wooden doors, with a row of lights across the top that reflect down on the sidewalk and give the entry a sophisticated, big-city feel.

The interior boasts royal blue jewel-toned banquettes, sparkling chandeliers, and hand-painted murals depicting regal figures, elephants, and intricate patterns — a combination of modern and traditional.

The space combines what was previously two storefronts with seating for up to 150, and that was intentional, Prasannan says.

"One of my priorities was to be able to offer a place for private parties and events — we receive so many requests," he says.

He's also a big believer in bringing Indian food to the center of Dallas. The majority of Indian restaurants are in suburbs like Irving, Plano, Richardson, Frisco — but Prasannan's restaurants are all in inner city areas like East Dallas, Bishop Arts, and downtown Dallas.

Their presence lends a cosmopolitan urban touch to their neighborhoods — and Gymkhana does it one better with late-night hours, staying open until 11 pm on weeknights and 1 am on weekends.

downtown openings

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