For those who care, here's the initial list of Pacific Northwest restaurants, chefs, etc. that are in the running for the big guy's awards, courtesy of Nosh Pit*. The semifinalists will be winnowed down on March 19.

Of note: The awesome Altura on Broadway is up for Best New Restaurant, the adorable Blaine Wetzel of the also-awesome Willows Inn is up for Rising Star Chef of the Year, and the post-Murray Zig Zag is nominated in the new Outstanding Bar Program (of course the Zig Zag is still great, but it seems a little weird that Canon didn't also make it into the running).

Not so much of note: nominations per usual for Tom Douglas (a.k.a. T-Doug) and Canlis (in 117 categories).

*Thanks, Allecia!