Philly's dining scene is making a big splash on the national stage with 14 nominations for this year's James Beard Awards. The prestigious awards recognize excellence in the culinary world, and Philly's restaurants are taking notice.
Kalaya, the highly-acclaimed Southern Thai restaurant, has been named a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant for the second consecutive year. The restaurant, which specializes in dishes inspired by owner and head chef Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon's childhood, was also nominated for Best Service.
Greg Vernick, the restaurateur behind several popular eateries in Philly, is no stranger to James Beard Awards. Vernick Food & Drink in Rittenhouse was recommended by the Michelin Guide last year, and Vernick himself won the award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2017. This time around, he's up for Outstanding Restaurateur for his restaurant group Vernick Philadelphia.
Lovers Bar, located beneath Friday Saturday Sunday, has been a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar for two years running. The bar is known for its creative cocktails and surprise menu, which features a rotating selection of drinks every few months.
In addition to these nominations, several up-and-coming chefs are making waves in the culinary world. Frankie Ramirez, head chef at Amá, has been listed as an Emerging Chef nominee. The young chef, who immigrated to Philly from Mexico City at 16 and worked his way up through the ranks of several Stephen Starr restaurants, has made a name for himself with his innovative dishes.
The James Beard Award semifinalists will be announced on March 31, and the winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Chicago on June 15.
Kalaya, the highly-acclaimed Southern Thai restaurant, has been named a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant for the second consecutive year. The restaurant, which specializes in dishes inspired by owner and head chef Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon's childhood, was also nominated for Best Service.
Greg Vernick, the restaurateur behind several popular eateries in Philly, is no stranger to James Beard Awards. Vernick Food & Drink in Rittenhouse was recommended by the Michelin Guide last year, and Vernick himself won the award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2017. This time around, he's up for Outstanding Restaurateur for his restaurant group Vernick Philadelphia.
Lovers Bar, located beneath Friday Saturday Sunday, has been a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar for two years running. The bar is known for its creative cocktails and surprise menu, which features a rotating selection of drinks every few months.
In addition to these nominations, several up-and-coming chefs are making waves in the culinary world. Frankie Ramirez, head chef at Amá, has been listed as an Emerging Chef nominee. The young chef, who immigrated to Philly from Mexico City at 16 and worked his way up through the ranks of several Stephen Starr restaurants, has made a name for himself with his innovative dishes.
The James Beard Award semifinalists will be announced on March 31, and the winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Chicago on June 15.
, I mean, Kalaya being nominated for Outstanding Restaurant for the second year is huge, right? I've been trying to get to that restaurant since they opened and I've heard the food is insane! 
As for Greg Vernick, I love his vibe with Vernick Food & Drink, it's like he's carrying on a legacy from his roots in Philly. Lovers Bar is also getting my attention, those creative cocktails are giving me life 
And can we talk about Frankie Ramirez for a sec? He's literally the definition of a culinary success story, I mean, from Mexico City to running his own kitchen at 16?! 
The fact that he's an Emerging Chef nominee is just amazing. Can't wait to see who makes it to the final round on March 31st 
. Philly's dining scene is getting some major love, but are we really just replicating the same old trends? I mean, a Southern Thai restaurant and a few bars getting nominated sounds cool and all, but where's the innovation here? 
, and it's awesome to see up-and-comers making waves in the culinary world. But let's not get too caught up in the hype... are we really celebrating what's truly special about Philly's dining scene?
. I mean, I'm sure Kalaya's Southern Thai dishes are super tasty and all, but seriously, how many restaurants can one city have? It feels like every time I scroll through my feed, it's just more Philly eats. And don't even get me started on the Instagram influencers fawning over these places... 
. Give some love to other cities for once?! 
! It's awesome to see Kalaya get some recognition for their amazing Southern Thai dishes 
. And Vernick Food & Drink is always up to something good, right? 
The fact that Frankie Ramirez is getting some love as an Emerging Chef nominee is a big deal - he's got a bright future ahead of him 
! What do you think about Philly's culinary scene? Do you have a fave spot in the city? 
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Kalaya and Vernick are killing it, and Frankie Ramirez is literally one of my favorite young chefs right now 
! And Frankie Ramirez as an Emerging Chef nominee? Mind. Blown. 
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! Surprise menu every few months? Genius! 
. This young chef's got talent and innovation comin' outta his pores 
Kalaya and Lovers Bar are totally deserving of those nominations - that Southern Thai cuisine at Kalaya is LIFE.CHANGING 
. And Frankie Ramirez, dude's got talent pouring out of every pore