James Beard and The Restaurants On My Bucket List
Who is he and why haven’t I gone to all of these restaurants?
I had a dream about a really funny play-on-words for Cafe Lulu but I woke up and instantly forgot. Good evening Cafe Lulu Nation! The 2024 James Beard Winners were just announced this past week and as I was reading about the winners, I stopped dead in my tracks. Who is James Beard? I know about the awards, but know nothing about the man behind it. Cafe Lulu reports on this investigative story. More to come at 11. Scroll further down to see my restaurant bucket-list, non-James Beard related.
Cafe Lulu Reports: James Beard
According to the website, James Beard is the chef that put America on the map for global gastronomy. You might think that’s a little funny because of course America has good food but I think it’s highly likely that at the time this award was established, our image to outsiders was probably just hamburgers and hot dogs.
James Beard got his start in 1935 through a catering business that led to opening a speciality store and eventually wrote his first cookbook, devoted exclusively to cocktail food. He wrote several cookbooks from 1945-1955 and appeared on several TV cooking segments as well as contributed to articles, columns and served as a consultant to restauranteurs. He opened his own restaurant in Nantucket before establishing the James Beard Cooking School in 1955. His method of schooling focused on preparing meals with fresh, American ingredients, in a time where there wasn’t much commercial importance on the need of farm-to-table meals.
After his death, they created the James Beard Foundation to celebrate change makers in the world of gastronomy. Beard’s influence on food shaped America and has inspired generations of chefs to prepare foods using fresh ingredients from their own backyard. For over three decades, the James Beard Foundation has championed the people behind America’s food scene by honoring exceptional chefs, restauranteurs and food writers who have contributed and elevated the culinary landscape. Check out this year’s winners here.
The Restaurants On My Bucket List…And Why I Haven’t Visited Them Yet.
We all know I like food. So that’s why the thought of me being unable to dine at all of the restaurants I have on my Google Maps “Want To Go” list is quite devastating and terrifying. Below, I selected the top six restaurants, casual and fancy, that are on my high on my list of “need to go soon”. I’ll also list the reason why I haven’t gone yet, with the hopes that I can overcome whatever obstacle is in the way between me and trying out a new dish.
This list can also be super useful to you in case you ever need to take someone out on a fancy date or are looking for a fun way to invest your money in a culinary experience. Yes, dining out at a new restaurant is an investment to your own wellbeing. When it comes to food, I always find it important to treat yourself at least once a month to a new place in order to broaden your horizons and learn about the cultures and practices around us.
Gage & Tollner
📍 372 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY
💸 $$$
Why I Want To Go: This place has stood-ish the test of time. It originally opened in 1879, then closed, stayed opened during the Prohibition era, closed, opened, you get the picture. It just feels like a historical site in Brooklyn that I’d love to visit some day. Plus I know it’s not “cool” to like steak but I oftentimes find myself craving a juicy steak with some garlic butter, a side of mashed potatoes and a crisp, cool drink. And of course I’ve been to Peter Luger’s. Don’t even try me.
Why I Haven’t Been Yet: Money. And I feel like this is a place for a special occasion and not just a random restaurant.
Clover Hill
📍 20 Columbia Pl, Brooklyn, NY
💸 $$$$
Why I Want To Go: This is definitely Clover Hill’s year. With recently awarded James Beard winner, Executive Chef Charlie Mitchell and lots of good press, this place has been in my head ever since. The restaurant is an intimate fine dining experience with multiple shellfish-forward courses and only 20 seats available for guests.
Why I Haven’t Been Yet: Umm…so…this place is $305 per person…But if 30 people Venmo’d me $11 then I can go! Yay! My birthday is in August.
Double Chicken Please
📍 115 Allen Street, New York, NY
💸 $$$
Why I Want To Go: This place won best bar in North America in 2023 which catapulted this place into immediate stardom. While they have a front section where they serve batched drinks, I really want to go into the backroom, The Coop, where they have their extensive cocktail menu plus a wide array of menu items that includes their famous fried chicken. It sounds delicious, fun and a place I definitely would like to visit once.
Why I Haven’t Been Yet: Money. Also at one point, a reservation was hard to come by but since the hype has died down, maybe it’s a little bit more attainable? I’ll have to check soon.
Red Hook Tavern
📍 329 Van Brunt, Brooklyn, NY
💸 $$
Why I Want To Go: I want to rip this place in half on BiebsFries (Follow @BiebsFries on Instagram) because they have the caucasity to sell cottage fries or wedges. And I hate cottage fries and/or wedges. Nevetheless, I love a good, straightforward burger and picky (pickle) plus, the rest of their tavern-focused menu also looks great. I would get the ham croquettes, french onion soup or a wedge salad as a starter.
Why I Haven’t Been Yet: This place is not too expensive but in Colombian slang, “queda casi en la Patagonia” — it’s almost as far as Patagonia, Argentina.
Raku
📍 48 MacDougal Street, New York, NY
💸 $$
Why I Want To Go: I looooove a thick noodle like Udon. And I’m Latinx so I also like to drink soup year-round but I crave soup more in the summer. Like on a 95 degree day. Their menu also has cold udon, donburi and a long list of sake options. Sounds heavenly to me.
Why I Haven’t Been Yet: There was a time where I attempted to go but the restaurant is tiny and there was already a wait. They don’t accept reservations so I guess I’ll have to show up early on a day where I don’t have much going on.
Lloyd’s Carrot Cake
📍 1553 Lexington Ave, New York, NY
💸 $
Why I Want To Go: My coworker once recommended me this place and listed it on her favorite places in NYC. I love carrot cake (I hate raisins but will push through) and I LOVE a cream cheese frosting.
Why I Haven’t Been Yet: It’s affordable ($5-5.50 per slice) but unfortunately far (East Harlem) for a girl who never leaves Brooklyn. But next time I’m at the Met or the Guggenheim, I’ll walk a couple blocks up and treat myself to a delicious slice of carrot cake.
Has anyone been to any of these? Got any recommendations or additional places I should add to my 100+ restaurant list? Let me know!
Lulu Has Her Summer Body On
And it’s frightening.
