TOC Eat Out Awards: The Morning After
Last night we gathered along with a few dozen dozen other food-type people under the Tiffany dome at the Chicago Cultural Center. We were there in order to drink heavily from an open bar sponsored by many fine liquor purveyors such as Bacardi and Goose Island, and to chase around the black-clad servers bearing trays of bacon-wrapped dates and mini-burgers. Somewhere in there, also, we watched chef-about-town Stephanie Izard and a shimmering array of local notables (Doug Sohn, Greg Hall, Mindy Segal) present Time Out Chicago's Eat Out Awards for 2009.
Our attempts to live-twitter the awards were fail-whaled, so instead we busied ourself marveling at Bill Kim's lustrous hair, and wondering whether the shorter-than-we-expected dude in the black parka was Cafe des Architectes chef Martial Noguier (it was). As with prior years, the Critics' Pick awards with their narrow categories felt like retroengineered opportunities for the TOC team to hand laurels to their personal favorites (not that there's anything wrong with that), while the Readers' Pick felt like a real test of quality. Can't say we were surprised by most of the results, though we did find ourself muttering "bullshit!" when it came to the winner of two particular Readers' Choice categories. See if you can guess.
Complete winners list after the jump!
Critics' Picks
Promo King Award: Rodney Alex of Juicy Wine Company
Comeback Kid Award: Ryan Poli, who came back for Perennial
Urban Oasis Award: Piccolo Sogno's gorgeous patio
Please Don't Go Award: The Charleston, the cat-and-barbecue-having bar that is currently for sale
Best Elbow Rubbing: Duchamp's communal tables, which are outdoors
Best Way to Use Your Noodle: Bill Kim and Urban Belly
Best Revival Act: Martial Noguier at Café des Architectes
Best Extra Value Meal: The Bristol, where shared dishes rarely top $11
Proof that Evolution Exists: The Coffee Studio ("we want to thank Darwin.")
Best Place to Ogle Women: Big Chicks — for the art.
The Bigfoot Award: Lyle Allen of Green City Market, who mentioned that the market returns to the outdoors on May 9.
Viagra Award for Staying Power: Club Lago, whose chimney collapsed a few weeks ago but whose business soldiers on.
The Blog-O You Can Trust Award (get it?!): The L2O blog
The Most Unpretentious Pretentious Bar: The Whistler
Lifetime Achievement: Henry Bishop, aka the Wine Sheriff, late sommelier for Spiaggia, who died earlier this year. His wife accepted his award and in lieu of a thank-you speech, she read a smart, funny essay Bishop had written.
Readers' Picks
Best Brunch: Lula Cafe
Best Italian: Mia Francesca
Best tapas: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
Best vegetarian: Mana Food Bar
Best Middle Eastern: Chickpea
Best Frozen Yogurt: Berry Chill — and since they won, the owners promise a free Berry Chill day!
Best thin-crust pizza: Spacca Napoli
Best burger: Kuma's Corner ("I have one word: 'Metal.'")
Best Loop lunch: Epic Burger ("we have a good burger too!")
Best beer bar: Hopleaf
Best Barbecue: Smoque
Best Thai: Sticky Rice
Best corner tap: Small Bar, Logan Square location
Best new bar: Angels and Kings
Best new restaurant: The Publican, which surprised absolutely no one.
[Photos: Helen Rosner]
