James Beard Award Semifinalists: Houston Version

Fresh off the interwebs, the James Beard Foundation has published its list of semifinalists for the 2013 James Beard Awards. Eater National will livestream the announcement of the finalists on March 18 ahead of the award ceremony on May 6. As we noted earlier today, 2012 was a banner year for Houston's restaurant scene, and the national accolades continue to roll in. Here are your nominees in the various categories.

Best New Restaurant:
The vegetable-oriented, tasting menu only, Oxheart
The all-local restaurant that attempts to tell the story of Houston food, Underbelly

Outstanding Bar Program:
The faces behind the bar may have changed, but it's still the best cocktail bar in Houston: Anvil Bar and Refuge

Outstanding Chef:
He's already won Best Chef Southwest, now he gets the chance for the top prize: Uchi's Tyson Cole

Outstanding Restaurateur:
The man who's expanded the empire his father built and devoted himself to Foodways Texas: Levi Goode of Goode Company

Rising Star Chef of the Year:
The man who makes you want to eat your vegetables, and Eater Houston's 2012 Chef of the Year: Justin Yu

Best Chef Southwest:
A repeat nominee for his interior Mexican cuisine and the man who serves the best brunch in Houston: Hugo Ortega of Hugo's
Known as the Godfather, he leads Underbelly's talented kitchen and has become a civic treasure: Chris Shepherd

· 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards: Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists [James Beard Foundation]
· All James Beard Award Coverage on Eater [-EN-]
· All Awards Season Coverage on Eater Houston [-EHOU-]