We Partied With the Chefs From the Best New Restaurants in America
Every year we scour the country to find the Best New Restaurants in America. Then, for one night only, we throw a huge party to celebrate. The chefs from our Hot 10 came to New York last week to cook their awesome food for 1200 party attendees. From hand-pulled udon to fresh mussels to melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder, we ate it all. And then we had some drinks. And then we danced. Here are some snapshots from our night.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com1/19Best New Restaurants Class of 2018
All the chefs take a moment for a photo op. Congratulations to Nonesuch, Maydan, Ugly Baby, Freedman's, Nyum Bai, Nimblefish, Che Fico, Yume Ga Arukara, Drifters Wife, and Call.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com2/19The Perfect Bite
Chefs Jeremy Wolfe and Paul Wang from our number one spot, Nonesuch in Oklahoma City, plate seared daikon with egg yolk sauce (cool Hot 10 shirts courtesy of Tilit).
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com3/19And, Um, Another Perfect Bite
The Nonesuch chefs also made chicken liver and persimmon tartlets, because they don't mess around.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com4/19Drink It Up
SproutsIO was there serving up drinks. This is a honey lemon balm spritzer with Bombay Sapphire gin, orange blossom honey, lemon balm-infused fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water. If only we could have one right now.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com5/19We're All About Katsu
Katsu sandwiches, to be exact. Yep, we've seen them everywhere this year, so naturally we had to have trays floating around the party. A crispy cutlet between soft and chewy bread—what more could you want?
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com6/19It's a Crowd
Just look at all those happy (and full) partygoers.
Photo by Daniel Topete7/19Not Everything Needs a Plate
Thanks to Mutti, we ate tomato tartare with capers, olives, and basil. And yep, we grabbed them out of cans in a wall. Now that's what we call interactive eating.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com8/19Blast From the Past
Our friend and Hot 10 alum Cristina Martinez showed up to make her famous barbacoa tacos from last year's number six spot, South Philly Barbacoa. You better believe there was a very long line.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com9/19Noodle City
Guests slurp on homemade udon with beef and all the fixings from Yume Ga Arukara in Cambridge, our number eight restaurant.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com10/19Sweet Stuff
Chef Nite Yun of Nyum Bai in Oakland takes a break from making prahot kiss, an insanely delicious pork belly dip, to hug her former staffer, Kayla Quan, who helped out for the evening.
Photo by Daniel Topete11/19Take a Sip
Some refreshing Pellegrino making the rounds, because you can't only rely on wine and cocktails.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com12/19Toast With the Most
Smoked little fish tartines with curried onion on rye toast up for grabs from Call, our number ten spot. We could eat that every day.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com13/19Dessert Doesn't Come Last
Brothers and Sisters in D.C., which has a knack for insane cakes, was kind enough to create the dessert table of our dreams. It was filled with all the sweets, little toys and trinkets, and lots of glitter. Yeah, it was rad.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com14/19'Gram It
Everyone knows it's not a party unless you 'gram it. Lemon souffle pancakes with orange poppy syrup from Andaz hotels are ready for their closeup.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com15/19Pretty In Meat
The chefs at Che Fico in San Francisco, number seven on our list, know how to make a presentation. There's sliced apple hiding underneath that perfectly draped prosciutto.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com16/19My Oh My, Shumai
Another Hot 10 alum, Brewery Bhavana from Raleigh, NC, showed up with pork and shrimp shumai—and, of course, the crazy-good beer they brew in-house.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com17/19And After the Party...
And then it was around the corner for the after party, with dancing and, because we know what the people like, more food and drinks.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com18/19All Night Long
Just look at those cool kids.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com19/19That's a Wrap
Yes, those are BA-branded solo cups. Thanks for hanging with us for all the drinks, bites, and vibes. See you in 2019.
