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Monday, June 9, 2008

Cafe Juanita and Maneki Win James Beard Awards

posted by on June 9 at 13:32 PM

Yesterday brought the annual James Beard Foundation Awards, and two Northwest institutions received top honors.

Winning Best Northwest Chef: Holly Smith, the woman behind Kirkland’s beloved Cafe Juanita.

And winning an “America’s Classic” award: the International District’s even-more-beloved, 103-year-old sushi restaurant Maneki.

Here’s a nice Maneki-related tidbit from last night’s NYC award ceremony, courtesy of the Seattle Times:

[A]fter a charming video presentation in which Seattle’s 103-year-old Japanese restaurant Maneki was honored as one of “America’s Classics,” owner Jean Nakayama went onstage and gave props to her staff. They included longtime employee and septuagenarian “Mom” Fusae Yokoyama, who smiled from behind Maneki’s bar on the wide screen poised center-stage in New York City, where chef Bobby Flay and “Sex and the City” actress Kim Cattrall played host.

Congrats to Holly Smith and everyone at Maneki.

RSS icon Comments

1

Congrats to the winners!

Posted by Jubilation T. Cornball | June 9, 2008 1:34 PM
2

Wow I totally thought Maria Hines had it in the bag, not that I'm complaining. I'm so happy for Maneki -- what an honor.

Posted by kid icarus | June 9, 2008 1:48 PM
3

You know, Cafe Juanita is a weird place. It's tucked back in the bushes next to a retirement home. It's just a tiny little painted-brick building and seems less memorable than the sewage pumping station a few blocks away. But it's always busy. I've heard that the food is really good, but I've never bothered to go there because I keep forgetting that it exists.

Posted by Greg | June 9, 2008 1:50 PM
4

Yay Maneki! I dunno, if you ask me the honor goes the other way -- Maneki brings honor and respect to the James Beard Award, not the other way around.

Posted by Fnarf | June 9, 2008 1:50 PM
5

I tried to eat at Maneki once, and received the worst service ever. I keep hearing that their food is amazing, and I would love to go there, but I can't keep from remembering how awful they were to my friends and me. It's unfortunate.

Posted by D. A. S. | June 9, 2008 1:55 PM
6

@5

Maneki is usually pretty awesome. If they're not awesome the first time, they'll be awesome the next time. It usually works out.

Posted by bearseatbeats | June 9, 2008 2:13 PM
7

that fermented squid guts thing at Maneki is one of the stranger(heh) items I've ever eaten.

Posted by Abe | June 9, 2008 2:13 PM
8

GO MANEKI!!! I love that place so very much. Its one of Seattle's hidden gems. The steamed clams in sake broth are simply prefection!!!

Posted by Queen_of_Sleaze | June 9, 2008 2:17 PM
9

I just had my birthday dinner at Maneki on Friday in one of the tatami rooms. Sooooo much fun and the food was so tasty.

Hurray for takoyaki!!!

Posted by thaumaturgistguy | June 9, 2008 2:29 PM
10

@3, Cafe Juanita is fucking phenomenal. Make a point of going.

Posted by Emily | June 9, 2008 2:53 PM
11

Okay, I'm cross-commenting on the other post. But personally I think Cafe Juanita puts too much salt on their food. Wondering if anyone agrees.

Posted by D. | June 9, 2008 3:13 PM
12

@11: What, you don't like salt?

Posted by Greg | June 9, 2008 4:15 PM
13

Oh, I like salt. But I swear Cafe Juanita is higher than average. This is an experience that is unique to Cafe Juanita and no other fancy places in Seattle.

Posted by D. | June 9, 2008 7:27 PM
14

No way D. It's totally not unique -- Tilth is way oversalted.

Posted by kid icarus | June 9, 2008 9:42 PM

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