A Bar Harbor restaurant was nominated for one of the top awards for this year’s James Beard Awards, long called the “Oscars” of the food world.
Havana, which for more than 25 years has served what it calls “American fine dining with a Latin flair,” was nominated as a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant in the country, alongside 13 other restaurants all over the United States.
The awards this year have expanded to include three new categories, in which Maine restaurants and bars were all represented, incuding Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
Other Maine semifinalists include:
- Lee Frank of Lee Frank’s in South Berwick, Jordan Rubin of Mr. Tuna in Portland and Jake Stevens of Leeward in Portland, all for Best Chef Northeast.
- Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm of Fish & Whistle, Biddeford, who were nominated in the Emerging Chef category.
- Mary Allen Lindemann of Coffee By Design in Portland for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.
- Brant Dadaleares, Gross Confection Bar, Portland, who was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
- Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland for Outstanding Hospitality.
- The Abbey in Brunswick for Best New Bar.
- Nathaniel Meiklejohn of The Jewel Box in Portland for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
Award finalists will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 16.
