Jan Norris: Food and Florida

Philip

Congratulations to Virginia Philip, who has led The Breakers to numerous awards with her wine program and lists. The latest is the Grand Award for a restaurant, shared among only 75 restaurants around the world and given by the Wine Spectator.

L’Escalier, The Breakers former signature restaurant, won for its comprehensive list. The Palm Beach resort is in the process of changing the restaurant decor and its concept; it is closed presently, but expected to open in the fall with a new name, menu and look.

Wine enthusiasts can take advantage of Philip’s’ wine knowledge by visiting her shop, Virginia Philip Wineshop & Academy at 101 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach (561-721-6000).

Cafe Boulud’s Sommeliere is tops in nation

Kovacheva

Other Best of awards from Wine Spectator were handed out to 17 South Florida restaurants, including Cafe Boulud. Mariya Kovacheva, sommeliere there, has just won Top Sommeliere at the annual Guild of Sommelier’s competition held this spring in California. She beat out 200 competitors at state, regional and national levels in a months-long series of contests.

“It was very challenging, but I’m honored to be in a competition with so many great sommeliers,” she said. She is currently overseeing the wines paired to the Mediterranean foods at the new Boulud pop-up restaurant, Boulud Sud, available at Cafe Boulud in the BraziliaMarn Court in Palm Beach.

Wine Spectator list for South Florida

Here are the award winners for South Florida in the Wine Spectator 2012 competition:

• Arturo’s Restaurant, Boca Raton; Wine Strengths: California, Italy, Bordeaux. Corkage Fee: $30
• Bourbon Steak at Turnberry Isle, Aventura; Wine Strengths: California, France. Corkage Fee: $25
• Café Boulud, at The Brazilian Court; Palm Beach; Wine Strengths: France, California
• Café l’Europe, Palm Beach; Wine Strengths: California, Bordeaux, Burgundy. Corkage Fee: $50
• Casa D’Angelo, Fort Lauderdale; Wine Strengths: Italy, California. Corkage Fee: $35
• Casa Juancho, Miami; Wine Strengths: Spain, California. Corkage Fee: $15
• Casa Tua, Miami; Wine Strengths: Tuscany, Piedmont, Bordeaux
• db Bistro Moderne, Miami; Wine Strengths: Bordeaux, California, Burgundy. Corkage Fee: $50
• Fifth Avenue Grill, Delray Beach; Wine Strengths: California, Bordeaux. Corkage Fee: $30
• Hollywood Prime, Hollywood; Wine Strengths: California, Bordeaux
• Marcello’s La Sirena, West Palm Beach; Wine Strengths: Italy, California, France
• Ortanique, Miami; Wine Strengths: California Corkage Fee: $20
• Red The Steakhouse, Miami; Wine Strengths: California
• The Capital Grille, Miami and Fort Lauderdale; Wine Strengths: California, Bordeaux Corkage Fee: $20
• The Forge, Miami’ Wine Strengths: Bordeaux, California
• The Restaurant at The Setai, Miami; Wine Strengths: California, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont Corkage Fee: $35

The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence goes to five restaurants in The Keys:

•  Pisces By Café Des Artistes, Key West; Wine Strengths: France, California
•  Mangia Mangia, Key West; Wine Strengths: California, France Corkage Fee: $20
•  Hot Tin Roof, Key West; Wine Strengths: California Corkage Fee: $20
•  Dining Room At Little Palm Island, Little Torch Key;  Wine Strengths: California, France Corkage Fee: $40
• Antonia’s Restaurant, Key West; Wine Strengths: Italy Corkage Fee: $20

To read the complete story about the Wine Spectator awards that explains the criteria, or to search other restaurants worldwide, go here.