These Fresno-area restaurants are the ‘best,’ according to awards. Did your favorite win?
Fresno-area restaurants were celebrated Monday at the California Restaurant Association’s Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards.
Winners were chose in dozens of categories, ranging from best sushi and best watering hole to best rising star chef.
The public submitted the nominees. The winners were voted on by association members and the nominees.
Restaurateurs were also honored.
Recently, we told you about how the LaRocca family was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for its restaurants, including FIVE Restaurant, Ovidio Italian Restaurant and DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant.
Chef/restaurateur awards
A few other individuals were also honored, with Ichiro Yoshino and Vincent Papagni inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Yoshino ran teppanyaki spot Yoshino Japanese Restaurant before his death in 2006. His wife, Phu Yoshino, continues to run the location on Blackstone Avenue, though the River Park location has closed.
Papagni was a restaurateur in the Valley for years.
Chef of the Year: Jimmy Pardini of Annesso Pizzeria and The Annex Kitchen
Restaurateur of the year: Brandon Smittcamp of Saizon, Heirloom, Butterfish, Mayd Modern Mediterranean and The Lime Lite
Rising star: Brit Collins Dean of Colton’s Social House
Best of restaurant awards
Best fast casual: Heirloom
Best family dining: Heirloom
Best fine dining: School House Restaurant & Tavern
Best watering hole: Pismo’s Coastal Grill
Best food truck: Roma’s Italian Street Cuisine
Best banquet/catering services: The Painted Table
Best hotel/casino dining: Table Mountain Casino Resort
Best outdoor dining: Elbow Room
Best Breakfast: Red Apple Cafe
Best Pizza: Annesso Pizzeria
Best sushi: Wassabi
Best steak: 13 Prime Steak
Best Burger: Colorado Grill
Best Deli: Sam’s Italian Deli & Market
Best barbecue: Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co.
Best sweet treats: Ampersand Ice Cream
Best local winery: Solitary Cellars Wine Company
Best local coffee shop: Kuppa Joy
Best craft cocktail: Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar
Best local brewery: Crow & Wolf Brewing Co. Taproom
Best Chinese: Hunan Chinese Restaurant
Best Japanese: Hino Oishi
Best Italian: The Annex Kitchen
Best Mediterranean: Ark Mediterranean Grill
Best Mexican: Sal’s Mexican Restaurant
Best Indian: Indian Kebab Palace
Best American: Yosemite Ranch
Date night/most romantic: Cracked Pepper Bistro
Best service/hospitality: Parma Ristorante
New on the scene/best newcomer: Saizon
Best nightlife: Lucy’s Lounge
Beverage supplier of the year: Valley Wide Beverage
Supplier of the Year: JD Food
The People’s Choice Award: Heirloom
