Announcing the 2012 Eater Awards for New York City

It is time now—drumroll, trumpets, etc.—to announce the winners of the 2012 Eater Awards. In over a dozen categories in 19 cities, the winners comprise a diverse group 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 19 cities 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 Stone Cold Stunner. 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. Our Eater National brain trust then got together to decide the national winners for those categories. 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 City.

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

Eater Awards 2012

Restaurant of the Year
Nominees: The Nomad, Mission Chinese Food, Atera, Gwynnett St., Empellon Cocina
Finalists: The Nomad, Mission Chinese Food, Empellon Cocina
Winner: Mission Chinese Food

Chef of the Year:
Nominees: Carlo Mirarchi (Blanca), Alex Raij (La Vara), Alex Stupak (Empellon Cocina), Justin Smillie (Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria), Matthew Lightner (Atera)
Finalists: Alex Raij, Justin Smillie, Alex Stupak
Winner: Alex Raij

So Hot Right Now
Nominees: Pig and Khao, L'Apicio, M. Wells Dinette, The Library at the Public Theater, Rosemary's
Finalists: Pig and Khao, L'Apicio, Rosemary's
Winner: Rosemary's

Bartender of the Year
Nominees: Joaquin Simo (Pouring Ribbons), Doug Quinn (formerly of P.J. Clarke's), Brian Miller (formerly of Lani Kai), Leo Robitschek (EMP and The Nomad), Tristan Willey (Booker and Dax)
Finalists: Doug Quinn, Tristan Willey, Leo Robitschek
Winner: Doug Quinn

Stone Cold Stunner
Nominees: The Nomad, Salumeria Rosi UES, Palmer's, Gaonnuri, Rosemary's
Finalists: The Nomad, Rosemary's, Gaonnuri
Winner: The Nomad

Empire Builder of the Year
Winner: Dale Talde, John Bush, and Dave Massoni

Shitshow of the Year:
Winner: Ryu

Spectacle of the Year:
Winner: Isa

Vendor of the Year:
Winner: The Short-Lived EMP Hot Dog Guy

· All Coverage of the Eater Awards [~ENY~]