Restaurants & Bars

These Just May Be The Best Places To Eat – And Drink Beer – In NJ

Nominees for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards were announced this week. More than 60 food and beer establishments are on the list.

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Now there's a resource that provides what could be the best places for food, beer and wine in New Jersey. And you can also find out who does best job and preparing, cooking and serving that food (see lists below).

Nominees for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards were announced this week by the newly formed nonprofit organization, the Garden State Culinary Arts Foundation, which owns and oversees the statewide awards program.

An independent voting body that includes 150 food writers and critics, members of the Garden State Awards Committee and winners of the 2017 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards began casting votes this week for the awards that will honor New Jersey's restaurants and chefs; farmers, food artisans and markets; and professionals in the beer, wine and spirits industries.

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The top-three vote-getters in each of the 15 awards categories will be named finalists in their respective categories, and a second round of voting will determine the winner.

The winners will be announced and awards given out at a gala ceremony and reception on Sunday, April 29 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at BellWorks in Holmdel. A limited number of tickets will go on sale next week for the gala.

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Here are the categories and nominees for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards - click on the links to get more information:

Best Restaurant

Criteria: A restaurant in operation in New Jersey for at least five years that displays overall excellence and consistency of quality in food, atmosphere and service, and has set high standards in the industry.

Best New Restaurant

Criteria: A restaurant opened in the previous calendar year (2017) that displays excellence in food and service, already has established a distinctive voice, and promises to set high standards for years to come.

Best Neighborhood Food Establishment: North

Criteria: An informal, moderately priced, independently owned eatery with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community. Must have been in operation for at least five years in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union or Warren counties.

  • Al-Basha, Paterson: Yaser Basha, owner
  • Brisas Colombianas, Elizabeth: Albeiro Orozco, owner
  • Hobby's, Newark: Marc and Michael Brummer, owners
  • La Isla, Hoboken: Omar Giner, chef-owner
  • Oh! Calamares, Kearny: Placencia family, owners
  • Pho Thai-Lao Kitchen, Maywood: Sysounthone family, owners
  • Seabra's Marisqueira, Newark: Joaquim Fernandes, chef-owner; Antonio Sousa and Manuel Cerqueira, owners
  • Stamna Greek Taverna, Bloomfield: Alex and Angela Nissirios, owners
  • Tapas de España, North Bergen: Gerardo Antelo and Ricardo Ruiz, owners
  • Town Hall Delicatessen, South Orange: Tony Wonski, owner

Best Neighborhood Food Establishment: Central

Criteria: An informal, moderately priced, independently owned eatery with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community. Must have been in operation for at least five years in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean or Somerset counties.

Best Neighborhood Food Establishment: South

Criteria: An informal, moderately priced, independently owned eatery with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community. Must have been in operation for at least five years in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester or Salem counties.

  • Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern, Atlantic City: Mancuso family, owners
  • Aunt Berta’s Kitchen, Oaklyn: Alberta Ferebee, owner
  • Bella Vida Garden Cafe, West Cape May: Chris and Jeannie Monge, owners
  • Corinne’s Place, Camden: Corinne Bradley-Powers, owner
  • Henri Hott’s Barbecue, Hammonton: Douglas Henri, owner
  • The Kibitz Room, Cherry Hill: Neil Parish, owner
  • La Esperanza, Lindenwold: Cordova family, owners
  • Little Saigon, Atlantic City: Ha and Thomas Vu, owners
  • Louisa’s Café, Cape May: Will Riccio, owner
  • Norma’s, Cherry Hill: Norma Bitar and family, owners

Best Food Market

Criteria: An established, independently owned, retail food market in New Jersey that demonstrates a high level of quality in goods offered, service to its customers and devotion to its community. Must have been in operation for at least five years.

  • Bagliani's Market, Hammonton: Francis Bagliani III, owner
  • The Cheese Cave, Red Bank: Stephen Catania, owner
  • Chowpatty Sweets and Snacks, Iselin: Chandrakant Patel and Sandip Patel, owners
  • Corrado's Family Affair, Clifton: Corrado family, owners
  • Fattal's Syrian Bakery, Paterson: Edmond and Norman Khawam, owners
  • The Greek Store, Kenilworth: Steve Diamandas and the Diamandas family, owners
  • Organica Natural Foods, Northvale: John Marrone, Mark Marrone, Diane DePiero, owners
  • Popular Fish Market, Newark: Manuel Nata, owner
  • Stockton Market, Stockton: Steven Grabowski and Cheryl Olsten, owners
  • Whole Earth Center, Princeton: Whole Earth Center Board of Directors, owners

Outstanding Chef

Criteria: A chef working in a professional capacity in New Jersey for at least five consecutive years whose accomplishments have served to inspire, educate and set standards in both the state and the industry.

Rising Star Chef

Criteria: A chef age 30 or younger as of the previous calendar year (2017) whose accomplishments and talent already have served to inspire and impress and promise to set standards for years to come. Must have worked in a professional capacity as a chef for a minimum of three years, including the two most recent years in New Jersey.

Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker

Criteria: A pastry chef or baker working in a professional capacity in New Jersey for at least three years in a restaurant, café, bakery or other public outlet who has displayed overall excellence in pastries, desserts and/or bread-making.

Outstanding Beer Professional

Criteria: A beer professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry.

  • Augie Carton, Carton Brewing Co.; Atlantic Highlands
  • Eli, Jim and Taylor Facchinei, Tonewood Brewing; Oaklyn
  • Andrej Ivanov, Pilsener Haus and Asbury Festhalle; Hoboken and Asbury Park
  • Michael Kane, Kane Brewing Co.; Ocean Township
  • Paul Kermizian, Barcade; Jersey City and Newark
  • Mike Kivowitz, New Jersey Craft Beer; Manalapan
  • Ryan Krill, Chris “Hank” Henke and Bob Krill, Cape May Brewing Co.; Cape May
  • Mike Oliver, John Companick and Scott Reading, Spellbound Brewing; Mount Holly
  • Jamie Queli, Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing; Cherry Hill
  • Gretchen Schmidhausler, Little Dog Brewing; Neptune City

Outstanding Wine Professional

Criteria: A wine professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry.

  • Michael Beneduce Jr., Beneduce Vineyards; Pittstown
  • Chris Cannon, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen; Morristown
  • Chris Cree, Pluckemin Inn; Bedminster
  • Sean Comninos, Bill and Penni Heritage, Heritage Vineyards; Mullica Hill
  • Greg and David Moore, Moore Brothers Wine Co.; Pennsauken
  • Susanne Lerescu, Restaurant Latour; Hamburg
  • Nick Pizzonia, Court Liquors; Long Branch
  • Chuck Russo, Carlo Russo's Wine & Spirit World; Ho-Ho-Kus
  • Sharon Sevrens, Amanti Vino; Montclair
  • Sharrott family, Sharrott Winery; Hammonton

Outstanding Spirits Professional

Criteria: A spirits professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry.

  • James Bednar, John Bednar and Tim Paul, Silk City Distillers; Paterson
  • Danny Childs, The Farm & Fisherman Tavern; Cherry Hill
  • Jamie Dodge, Reyla; Asbury Park
  • Mark Farro, INC; New Brunswick
  • Chris James, Modine; Asbury Park
  • Susan Lord, John Granata and Betty MacDonald, Jersey Spirits Distilling Co.; Fairfield
  • Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, Stage Left Steak; New Brunswick
  • Carlos Ruiz, Restaurant Latour; Hamburg
  • Lenny Schafer, The Iron Room; Atlantic City
  • James Yoakum, Cooper Rivers Distillers; Camden

Outstanding Food Artisan

Criteria: A food artisan working in New Jersey who has demonstrated significant talent and skill in their chosen genre and has set new or consistent standards of achievement and excellence. Must have been working in the genre for at least three years.

Outstanding Farmer

Criteria: A farmer working in New Jersey whose primary income is derived from agricultural pursuits, has demonstrated significant talent and skill in the profession, and has set consistent standards of excellence. Must have been working as a farmer for at least five years.

  • Cherry Grove Organic Farm, Lawrence Township: Matthew Conver
  • Chickadee Creek Farm, Pennington: Jess Niederer
  • Community Supported Garden of Genesis Farm, Blairstown: Chris Welles, board chair
  • Fernbrook Farm, Chesterfield: Jeff Tober
  • Forty North Oyster Farm, Little Egg Harbor and Belmar: Matt Gregg and Scott Lennox
  • Gbolo's World Crops Farm, Buena Vista: Morris Gbolo
  • McCormack Farm, Middletown: Cindy and Bill McCormack
  • Muth Family Farm, Williamstown: Bob Muth
  • Savoie Organic Farm, Williamstown: Barry and Carol Savoie
  • Well-Sweep Herb Farm, Port Murray, Mansfield: Louise, Cyrus and David Hyde

Garden State Culinary Legend

Criteria: A food professional with a rich, storied history of high standards, commitment, accomplishment and influence. The contributions of the person to the culinary arts in New Jersey must have affected residents in positive ways for at least 10 years.

  • Maureen and Victor Avondoglio, Perona Farms; Andover Township
  • Mikey Azzara, Zone 7; Ringoes
  • Ariane Daguin, D’Artagnan; Union
  • Larrie W. Laird, Laird & Company; Scobeyville
  • Chris Mumford, Café Mumford’s; Tinton Falls
  • Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama and Zafra; Hoboken
  • Karen Talorico, Cathedral Kitchen; Camden
  • Lucille Thompson, Chalfonte Hotel; Cape May
  • Robert Unanue, Goya Foods; Secaucus
  • Meghan Wren, Bayshore Center at Bivalve; Port Norris

Photo courtesy of Garden State Culinary Arts Foundation

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