The Bay Area’s Nominees for the 2020 James Beard Awards

The stylish wine bar and wine shop from Michael and Lindsay Tusk (also of nearby Cotogna and three Michelin-starred Quince) was one of 2019’s biggest hits in San Francisco. At Verjus, the Tusks offer Basque snacks and vermouth at the bar, a full menu of French-inspired small plates, and a wall of natural wine to drink or take-away.

For the first time, the Ne Timeas Restaurant Group — run by Thomas McNaughton, David Steele, and David White — has notched a nomination in the Outstanding Restaurateur category. In addition to the runaway hit flour +water, the group also runs several other restaurants in the Mission, including Central Kitchen, Salumeria, and Trick Dog.

Christopher Kostow is nominated in the Outstanding Chef category for his work at his Michelin-three-starred Restaurant at Meadowood, but you can also get a taste of his cooking at his casual restaurant, The Charter Oak in St. Helena. Here, Kostow and his team create seasonal cooking that represents the best of Napa Valley cuisine, in a setting that has become an anchor for its Wine Country community.

For decades, chef-owner Mourad Lahlou (also of the newly reopened Aziza in the Richmond District) has been cooking his interpretation of Moroccan cuisine with a California lens. At his swanky downtown destination, Lahlou continues to be on the cutting edge of progressive food in the city. Pro Tip: The bar is a great place for a solo stop during the day.