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The James Beard Awards are the United States’ version of the food Oscars.  Today, the JB Foundation announced their semifinalists for this years awards.

The neat thing about the awards is that have nationwide categories as well as regional categories.  Much like last year, Atlanta area chefs has a handful of entrants. Pano Karatassos, Scott Peacock, and Kevin Gillespie got some national attention … as did Miller Union.  In the Southeast region, locals Linton Hopkins and Billy Allin are in contention … so too is the soon to be local Hugh Acheson.

The winners will be announced in May, so for now all we can do is wait.  You can find the full list on the JB website (warning: that’s a pdf).  However, we’ll highlight the Atlanta standouts right after the jump!

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(photo Courtesy of Steven Eubanks)

Got a very cool email yesterday.  Unfortunately, my throbbing head prevented me from putting together a coherent sentence, much less a full post.  Anyway, here’s the deal.  Playboy.com has a habit of putting together top lists, and Atlanta has a habit of showing up on them (Clermont Lounge anyone?).

This time around, they put together a Top 10 Diners List, and guess who made it? (The title didn’t give it away did it?).  That’s right … the Majestic Diner, a 24-hour drunken food haven on Ponce.  No word on whether or not P’boy took into account the new digs … which took the place from comfortably trashy to surprisingly clean.

Anywho, here is what America’s favorite … cough… Men’s Lifestyle Magazine had to say:

This Atlanta institution has been serving “food that pleases” under its Art Deco-style marquee’s blazing neon glow since 1929. The Majestic serves everything from cholesterol-threatening omelets and fist-thick burgers to blue plate specials and gyros. Red stools complement a red counter, while squeaky vinyl seats are well worn, providing cushy support for a multitude of derrières. The Majestic is located along a stretch of “Hot ‘Lanta” that’s resisted urban renewal, so the freaks do come out at night: college students, clubbers and other locals.

Be back with some more posts tomorrow, including the next installment of Inside The Chef’s Kitchen.

Majestic Diner Restaurant Address & Information

1031 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, Georgia 30306 // 404.875.0273

Greg Best just made Playboy.  Don’t worry folks, Greg doesn’t appear in his skimpies.  No, in this case, Mr. Best was just named one of Playboy’s 10-best mixologists.  A co-owner of my favorite watering hole, Best is a certifiable drink geek!  He’s friendly as hell and awesome at what he does … two things that make him a winner in my book.

Backed by his kick ass McIntosh amps (yeah – I’ve said that before), Best makes a seriously killer cocktail … or two … or three … or … you get the idea.  I can’t tell you how many times he’s whipped something up full of ingredients I’ve never heard of.  If you haven’t been already, go grab yourself some pretty solid food while you punch yourself in the rye.  There’s a decent chance we’ll cross paths … I visit often.

UPDATE: I always wanted to know what it was like to be a Playboy photographer.  Okay, no … not really.  But apparently, I now know one … though I didn’t realize it at the time of this post … that picture of Greg came courtesy of one Broderick Smylie.  The guy, who has a serious case of the smiles, snaps many a good photos.  Check him out via the linky belowy

[Via Savory Exposure]

Dropped in at Holeman & Finch on Tuesday night.  As luck would have it – they were serving up an anniversary.  To celebrate the occasion, there was a special pork belly + coleslaw slider on the menu.  I hate coleslaw, but this sucker was seriously bad ass!  The pork belly was juicy and cooked to perfection.  Meanwhile, the coleslaw – which was mayo based – included freshly cut veggies, a hint of mayonnaise, and the perfect freshness in response to the intensity of that glorified bacon.

Turns out, Atlanta foodies and bloggers aren’t the only ones that love this place.  Travel+Leisure Magazine named H&F one of the best 50 restaurants in the country.  The blurb after the jump

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In the April 2009 issue of Bon Appétit, Sotohiro Kosugi’s New York namesake earned top billing as the best sushi spot in the entire country!  No arguments from this foodie … you can read my review here!  Despite Soto’s reputation as a sushi bully (WSJ), few can argue with his culinary prowess.  Rock on Soto!

If you aren’t able to make it up to NYC, fear not … Chris Kinjo’s MF Buckhead also earned a spot on the top ten list.  A top flight establishment, it’s as much show as it is substance.  Some people are turned off by the price point; however, I find it quite reasonable when compared to high-end sushi spots around the country.  I am anxiously awaiting my turn at their new omakase room.

MF Buckhead Restaurant Address & Information:
3280 Peachtree Rd Atlanta, GA 30305 // P: 404.841.1192 // MF Buckhead Reservations // MF Buckhead Website // MF Buckhead Menu

Soto Restaurant Address & Information:
357 Ave Of The Americas New York, NY 10014 // P: 212.414.3088

So for those of you that did not visit the SRBC (internal) this past weekend, here is all you need to know: Octane!

I don’t drink coffee on anything close to a regular basis (maybe 5 times in the past 10 years); however, I know the goods when I see the goods… and Octane my friends … is the goods.

I’ll dispense with the silly coffee puns and get to the point: Baristas Danielle Glasky and Crystal Rodgers placed first and second.  Their reward? A trip to the Nationals in Portland, Oregon, in three weeks.

Oh yeah… apparently we are in a coffee deficit.  Who knew?

So a few days ago, I mentioned that I would be starting a series entitled the Buddha Tour.  Today, I published the Buddha Restaurant and Dining Tours page.  Over there, you’ll find the rules and other related information.  It isn’t really useful yet, but it will be a landing page for information as a I knock out each tour.  The first one up is the Atlanta Sub & Sandwich Tour.  More to come!

Rachael Ray does food porn like there is no tomorrow (NSFW vid after the jump!).  However, she also has quite a following for her show entitled “Every Day.”  Recently, she organized a bracket busting tournament that included 17 critics, 20 meals, and two Atlanta steakhouses.

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I am not so brazen as to assume that my word carries with it the clout that a post from someone like Jennifer Zyman or Cliff Bostock carries.  That aside, I do feel comfortable enough to be an amateur food critic.  Thus, I must have a restaurant of the year, right?  Indeed I do!  In addition, I’ve taken the time to identify some “honorable mentions”
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