It is time now—drumroll, trumpets, etc.—to announce the winners of the 2012 Eater Awards. In over a dozen categories in 19 cities, the winners comprise a diverse group of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the country. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts...
To recap, Eater's local editors in 19 cities nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and Stone Cold Stunner. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose the winner. Our Eater National brain trust then got together to decide the national winners for those categories. In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.
Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes. And now, without further ado, the winners in Boston.
Click through for the full rundown of winners across the country on Eater National.
Eater Awards 2012
Restaurant of the Year
Nominees: Sweet Cheeks Q, Trade, West Bridge, Casa B, Area Four
Finalists: West Bridge, Casa B, Area Four
Winner: West Bridge
Chef of the Year:
Nominees: Brian Poe, Jamie Bissonnette, Barbara Lynch, Tim Maslow, Jody Adams
Finalists: Jody Adams, Barbara Lynch, Jamie Bissonnette
Winner: Jamie Bissonnette
So Hot Right Now
Nominees: Strip-T's, YumeWoKatare, Belly Wine Bar, Shojo, Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
Finalists: Belly Wine Bar, Shojo, Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
Winner: Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
Bartender of the Year
Nominees: Scott Holliday, Sam Treadway, Misty Kalkofen, Nicole Lebedevitch, Noon Inthasuwan
Finalists: Nicole Lebedevitch, Sam Treadway, Noon Inthasuwan
Winner: Sam Treadway
Stone Cold Stunner
Nominees: Bond, Empire, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Forum, UpStairs on the Square
Finalists: Empire, Island Creek Oyster Bar, UpStairs on the Square
Winner: Empire
Empire Builder
Winner: Clover Fast Food Inc.