Pax Americana, Fluff Bake Bar + More Take Home Wins At 2016 Tastemaker Awards

Last night, CultureMap’s 2016 Tastemaker Awards convened some of the city’s best culinary minds (and 600 eager diners) to recognize Houston’s finest bars and restaurants. At last night’s festivities, Chef Adam Dorris earned wins in two major categories.

Outside of his win in the Chef of the Year category, Dorris’ popular Montrose eatery Pax Americana was also crowned Restaurant of the Year. It makes sense that the Restaurant of the Year would be led by the Chef of the Year,” writes CultureMap’s Eric Sandler. “Adam Dorris's passionate support of local farmers and his interest in preservation techniques, such as pickling and smoking, drive much of his cuisine.”

At last night's ceremony, which features bites and drinks from each of the nominees, newly-crowned Restaurant of the Year Pax Americana served a dish of whipped ricotta, heirloom tomatoes, Gulf bottarga, bowfin caviar, and preserved lemon on seeded crispbread.

Best New Restaurant, chosen by CultureMap’s readers, went to River Oaks’ State of Grace. Fluff Bake Bar’s Rebecca Masson earned a win in the Best Pastry Chef category, and Bernadine’s Graham Laborde scored the Rising Chef of the Year award for his “love letter to the Gulf Coast.”

On the beverage side of the awards, Anvil Bar & Refuge's Terry Williams was named Bartender of the Year, while Public Services Wine & Whiskey took home Bar of the Year. Sommelier of the Year went to Evan Turner of Helen Greek Food & Wine.