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SHO Shaun Hergatt Follows Michelin Star With Esquire Honors

Photo: Lucy Schaeffer

On the heels of its Michelin star, SHO Shaun Hergatt now gets another accolade: It’s one of four New York restaurants to make John Mariani’s annual “Best New Restaurants” list in Esquire. The others — Corton, Marea, and Locanda Verde — aren’t surprising. On the list of “Another 15 Places Not To Miss” are Vermilion, Apiary, Aureole, and Minetta Tavern.

When Mariani reviewed Minetta a while back, he reserved the right to take back his praise of the “good food, wine, and service” if McNally ended up pandering to celebrities at the expense of folks like him. Good to see all is still well in Mariani’s eyes. Meanwhile, the issue bestows “Hall of Fame” honors on Alfred Portale of Gotham, as well as Danny Meyer — which should once and for all bury that momentary blog speculation that Mariani was the mooching critic referred to in Meyer’s memoir. (Mariani has since pointed out that he and Meyer are “business friends” and that Meyer only comped him once.)

The complete list, via the press release, is below.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR:
The Bazaar, Los Angeles

CHEF OF THE YEAR:
Barton Seaver of Blue Ridge, Washington, D.C.

THE INAUGURAL ESQUIRE RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Alfred Portale
Danny Meyer

THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS OF 2009 (sorted geographically):
Atlanta, GA
Pacci Ristorante
Paces 88

Austin, TX
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar

Bedford, NY
The Bedford Post Inn

Cleveland, OH
L’Albatros Brasserie & Bar

Las Vegas, NV
Society Café Encore

Los Angeles, CA ­
Rivera

Miami, FL
Area 31
Sra. Martinez

Naples, FL
Sea Salt

New York, NY
Corton
Locanda Verde
Marea
SHO Shaun Hergatt

Paradise Valley, AZ
Prado

Richmond, VA
Lemaire

San Francisco, CA
Nopalito

Washington, D.C
Blue Ridge

Yountville, CA
Bottega


ANOTHER FIFTEEN PLACES NOT TO MISS
Ajax Tavern, Aspen
Apiary, New York
Aureole, New York
The Bristol, Chicago
8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill, Avon, CO
Il Casale, Belmont, MA
Minetta Tavern, New York
Passionfish, Reston, VA
Province, Chicago
The Publican, Chicago
Rambla, New Orleans
RH, Los Angeles
Sepia, Chicago
Vermilion, New York
West Side Tavern, Los Angeles

FOUR BREAKOUT CHEFS TO WATCH:
David Katz, Meme, Philadelphia, PA
Chris Lusk, Cafe Adelaide, New Orleans, LA
Victoria Ann Moore, The Lazy Goat, Greenville, SC
Raymond Mohan, Onda, New York, NY - “One of the most creative South American chefs - via Guyana - working in the U.S. right now.”

HOSTESS OF THE YEAR:
Kaitlin Yelle, Meat Market, Miami, FL
SHO Shaun Hergatt Follows Michelin Star With Esquire Honors