Chow Cafe Juanita and Maneki Win James Beard Awards
posted by June 9 at 13:32 PM
onYesterday 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.
Congrats to the winners!
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.
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.
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.
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.
@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.
that fermented squid guts thing at Maneki is one of the stranger(heh) items I've ever eaten.
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!!!
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!!!
@3, Cafe Juanita is fucking phenomenal. Make a point of going.
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.
@11: What, you don't like salt?
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.
No way D. It's totally not unique -- Tilth is way oversalted.
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