Announcing the 2011 Eater Award Winners for NYC

It is time now to announce the winners of the 2011 Eater Awards, presented by Patrón Tequila. In over 50 categories spanning thirteen cities, the winners comprise a diverse bunch of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the country. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts....

To recap, Eater's local editors in NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Miami nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and Best Bathroom. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose the winner. Winners were then moved up to a national round to select the best of all the land. In very rare cases, we exercised Rule 17, Sub. 19, which allows for veto of the popular vote. (This rule was used just once in 2010.) In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.

Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes. And now, without further ado, the winners in New York.

Click through for the full rundown of winners across the country on Eater National.

Eater Awards 2011

Restaurant of the Year
Nominees: The Dutch, Red Rooster, Romera, Fedora, Le Bernardin, Brooklyn Fare
Finalists: The Dutch, Red Rooster, Fedora
Winner: The Dutch

Chef of the Year:
Nominees: Shaun Hergatt, April Bloomfield, Cesar Ramirez, Andrew Carmellini, Harold Dieterle, Christina Tosi
Finalists: April Bloomfield, Andrew Carmellini, Harold Dieterle
Winner: Harold Dieterle

So Hot Right Now
Nominees: Red Farm, Tertulia, Miss Lily's, Pulqueria, St. Anselm, Parm
Finalists: Red Farm, Tertulia, Miss Lily's
Winner: Red Farm

Bartender of the Year
Nominees: Naren Young (Saxon & Parole), Brian Miller (Lani Kai), Maxwell Britten (Maison Premiere), Joaquin Simo (Death and Co.), Jim Kearns (Prime Meats)
Finalists: Naren Young, Maxwell Britten, Jim Kearns
Winner: Maxwell Britten

Best NYC Bathroom
Nominees: Quality Meats, The Boom Boom Room, Morimoto, Smith & Mills, Lyon
Finalists: Smith & Mills, Quality Meats, The Bo
Winner: The Boom Boom Room

Comeback of the Year
Presented to that restaurant or chef whose return from the dead proved most grand.
Winner: Seamus Mullen, Tertulia

Danny Meyer Empire Builder of the Year
In recognition of a chef, restaurateur or team whose heads-down, unbridled need for an empire in 2011 came closet to matching that of Empire Builder Meyer himself.
Winner: Christina Tosi, Momofuku Milk Bar

Shitshow of the Year:
Nominees: Ca Va, Crossbar, Olives, Ember Room, The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English, Romera
Winner: Romera

Spectacle of the Year
Nominees: BataliGate, M. Wells, The Sale of Eleven Madison Park, Sam Sifton's final bow
Winner: M. Wells

Toughest Door of the Year
Nominees: The Boom Boom Room, Provocateur, Electric Room, PH-D, Westway, Cabin Down Below
Winner: The Electric Room

Best Cebicheria in a former Danny Meyer Restaurant:
The best restaurant focusing on ceviches to open in a former Danny Meyer restaurant space in 2011.
Winner: La Mar Cebicheria

The Eater Awards 2011 would not be possible not only without presenting sponsor Patrón Tequila but also the event's product sponsors—Seamless, Organic Valley, USA Pears, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Whole Foods, Pat LaFrieda, Forever Cheese, and Sokol Blosser—and participating restaurants—Mission Chinese, Cookshop, Franklin BBQ, Baohaus, flour + water, Beast, Pok Pok, Red Farm, and Marble Lane. We salute them all.