
The winners for nine of the 10 classes in the 2022 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are picked by our judges’ panel of restaurant marketplace authorities. However, Ideal New Restaurant is distinct.

This class gives CultureMap visitors the possibility to weigh in on their favorites by using a bracket-model, head-to-head event that pits 16 restaurants from each individual other until only just one continues to be. The initially spherical of voting runs May 4-8, followed by rounds two and 3 from Might 9-13 and 14-18, respectively. Two dining places will contend for the title from Could 19-23.

Men and women might vote when per matchup per working day. The success are closely monitored for cheating and other shenanigans, so really don’t even try out to video game the benefits. Voting is open up now.

Taking into consideration our matchups attribute a huge assortment of dining ordeals — every thing from a wonderful dining cafe with a Michelin-starred sibling to a appear-as-you-are po’ boy shop — not to point out some of the city’s most gifted chefs and veteran operators, assume each individual contest to be shut.

Who will get? Find out Might 25 at the Tastemaker Awards social gathering. We’ll dine on bites from this year’s nominated eating places prior to emcee Bun B reveals the winners. Get tickets now right before they provide out.
ChòpnBlọk vs Golfstrømmen

Let’s kick off this year’s opposition with the two tastiest principles at the Submit Sector foodstuff corridor. After beginning as a pop-up, ChòpnBlọk has taken Houston by storm with West African dishes like jollof rice and suya-spiced steak skewers. The restaurant has drawn more than enough notice that founder Ope Amosu has appeared on equally movie star chef Marcus Samuelsson’s PBS series No Passport Expected and served as a visitor judge on Top rated Chef. Golfstrømmen unites acclaimed Norwegian chef Christopher Haatuft and Texas chef Paul Qui in a principle concentrated on serving sustainable seafood: every little thing from uncooked oysters to complete fried fish. Even although its only a couple of months previous, Golfstrømmen holds its have with any of Houston’s leading seafood establishments. Both restaurants are worth braving the Article Houston crowds, but only 1 will advance to round two.
Chivos vs Trattoria Sofia

This matchup pits two of The Heights’ most fascinating new selections. At Chivos, chef Thomas Bille delivers a Mexican American point of view to a assorted set of dishes that run the gamut from pozole dumplings to bone marrow tacos. Veteran restaurateur Ben Berg has introduced his trendy aptitude to Trattoria Sofia’s menu of Italian-impressed preferences that incorporate freshly made pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Both equally dining places supply spacious patios and 1st-price cocktails, but only tortillas or focaccia can go on to spherical two.
Da Gama Canteen vs Common Bond Brasserie

The most recent tasks from two prosperous restaurant teams deal with off in this matchup. At Da Gama, chefs Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio use their winning system from Oporto Fooding Household and the Queen Vic Pub to an eclectic menu of Portuguese and Indian-motivated dishes. Widespread Bond actions up its delicacies at its downtown brasserie with a menu of French-motivated fare like rack of lamb, bouillabaisse, and citrus-poached lobster. Each restaurants offer a clever checklist of wines by-the-glass to boost a meal, but only a single tends to make round two.
Le Jardinier vs Gratify Community Bistro

The tournament’s two most luxurious dining places square off in this matchup. Le Jardinier delivers the pedigree of its Michelin-starred New York place, a dramatic dining place in the Museum of Good Arts, Houston’s Kinder building, and chef Alain Verzeroli’s seasonally inspired, vegetable-forward menu. Gratify methods up with proprietor Grant Cooper’s aptitude for dramatic eating rooms, crowd-satisfying fare like raw seafood and steak frites, and an eclectic wine checklist. Irrespective of which cafe moves on to spherical two, equally will stay extremely common with Houston’s boldfaced names.
GJ Tavern vs Wild Oats

Sorry, Chris Shepherd, but only a single of your new eating places will advance to round two. After a gradual begin, downtown’s GJ Tavern has hit its stride below the path of chef Tim Examining, who designed a menu built about common fare like roast hen, raw oysters, and an totally craveable burger. Wild Oats is chef Nick Fine’s self-described “love letter to Texas” that places its very carefully crafted spin on familiar favorites like chili, campechana, and rooster fried steak. Nevertheless this vote goes down, we’re self-assured the staff members of Underbelly Hospitality will stay mates.
J-Bar-M Barbecue vs Urbe

Could there be a a lot more typical Texas matchup that barbecue vs . tacos? At J-Bar-M, owner John Toomey has assembled a gifted squad to develop slow smoked meats and eclectic sides in a environment so undeniably Texan that Leading Chef filmed its barbecue problem there. At Urbe, chef Hugo Ortega delivers the procedures that won him a James Beard Award to an approachable menu of tacos and other familiar dishes. Both of those eating places characteristic expansive patios, but only a single will combat on in spherical two.
d’Alba Craft Kitchen & Cocktails vs Day by day Assemble

Two of Houston’s modern community eating places sq. off in this matchup. At d’Alba, hospitality veteran Daut Elshani and previous Benjy’s chef Geoff Hundt have introduced vegetable-forward, Italian-inspired fare to Back garden Oaks. Dish Culture founder Aaron Lyons and chef Brandi Critical teamed up to build Each day Gather, a loved ones-friendly restaurant with an eclectic, globally-encouraged menu and a trendy interior. Both dining establishments have extensive-ranging menus and considerable beverage alternatives that make them similarly pleasing for a weekday handle or date night time, but only a single will contend in spherical two.
Winnie’s vs 5Kinokawa

Admittedly, a lively bar that serves po’ boys and an personal, Japanese-impressed tasting menu restaurant don’t surface to have significantly in widespread, but any one who’s dined at each establishments will figure out they are united by their artistic strategy to their respective cuisines. Sure, Winnie’s serves perfectly-executed gumbo and an expertly-fried shrimp po’ boy, the true fun is discovered with choices like the Fried Chicken Crunch Wrap Supreme that is impressed by KFC and Taco Bell. Meals at 5Kinokawa feel extra like concert events than a supper many thanks to chef Billy Kin’s partaking personality and free of charge kind design that alternates involving uncooked and cooked dishes with relieve. A meal to remember or a hangover to overlook — only a person will make it to round two.