The owner of Barolo Grill in Denver hosts annual work vacations in Italy to educate employees about regional foods and wines, with the goal of increasing the authenticity of the Italian restaurant, one of 10 winners of Nation’s Restaurant News’ Fine Dining Hall of Fame this year.
Though the 2009 inductees hail from 10 different cities, and their culinary styles vary widely, they all share Barolo’s steadfast goal of doing whatever it takes to offer superior food, service and atmospheres.
The following profiles showcase their rise to prominence and the secrets of their success.
(Click here to view a slideshow of this year's inductees.)
One theme, for example, is the importance of staff members. Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass., calls his trusted staff “the success of the restaurant.”
Others found family relationships were key.
Slanted Door in San Francisco employs 20 relatives among its workforce, and Chicago’s Naha was built by three cousins, two of whom still run the restaurant.
New Rivers in Providence was conceived by a husband-and-wife team who divided labor between sweet and savory kitchens. Wife and pastry chef Pat Tillinghast died a decade ago, but her husband, Bruce Tillinghast, keeps the eatery afloat.
Chef-owner Donald Link credits his family for luring him home to New Orleans, where he opened Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant after a stint in San Francisco.
Several inductees say culinary guidance can be found by connecting with guests.
“You just have to pay attention, have good staff and listen to the customers,” says David Bouley of Bouley restaurant in New York.
Similarly, Anthony Bombaci, the chef at Nana in Dallas, says his diners’ tastes dictate the contents of the menu. Though he lets his decade spent cooking abroad influence his global cuisine, he tailors his approach to local palates.
In the same vein, Michael Klauber of Michael’s on East in Sarasota, Fla., says his business flourishes because he “listens to [guests’] needs, not trends.”
And for Michael Mina, the motivation for excellence at his Michael Mina Bellagio in Las Vegas is simple: The restaurant bears his name.
In addition, visionary Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., was named 2009’s Fine Dining Legend. She joins the company of such past winners as Los Angeles-based Wolfgang Puck and Ella Brennan of Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. Waters, who is known for her focus on simple, seasonal cuisine, has recently watched her long-held philosophy take some high-profile roots, as First Lady Michelle Obama, with Waters’ encouragement, planted and harvested an edible garden on the White House lawn.
2009 Fine Dining Hall of Fame Fine Dining Legend Award Recipient: Alice WatersBarolo Grill, Denver Blue Ginger, Wellesley, Mass. Bouley, New York City Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant, New Orleans Michael Mina Bellagio, Las Vegas Michael’s on East, Sarasota, Fla. Naha, Chicago Nana Restaurant, Dallas New Rivers, Providence, R.I. The Slanted Door, San Francisco
