The list of 2016 Semifinalists was released today for the prestigious James Beard Foundations Awards, and we were so happy to see some of our favorite restaurants and chefs included. I find myself constantly referencing the lists of semifinalists from the past couple of years when we’re traveling to a new city and I haven’t quite ironed out our dining plans. Doing so has always steered us in the right direction!

Click through the links below to see more from our experiences at some of the 2016 JBFA Semifinalists!

Portland’s The Honey Paw, nominated for Best New Restaurant. 

Raleigh’s Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Downtown Diner, nominated for Outstanding Chef. 

Portland’s Fore Street, nominated for Outstanding Restaurant. 

Atlanta’s Ford Fry (of The Optimist, St. Cecelia, State of Grace, and more), nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur. 

Maine’s Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan and Bao Bao Dumpling House, nominated for Rising Star of the Year. 

Charlottesville’s Jose De Brito of The Alley Light, nominated for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. 

New York’s Jody Williams of Buvette, nominated for Best Chef: New York City. 

Boston’s Karen Akunowicz of Myers & Chang, nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. 

Vermont’s Wesley Genovart of SoLo Farm & Table, nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. 

Maine’s Brian Hill of Francine, nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. 

Maine’s Keiko Suzuki Steinberger of Suzuki’s Sushi, nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. 

Portland’s Mike Wiley & Andrew Taylor of Eventide, nominated for Best Chef(s): Northeast. 

Durham’s Matthew Kelly of Mateo, nominated for Best Chef: Southeast. 

Atlanta’s Steven Satterfield of Miller Union, nominated for Best Chef: Southeast. 

Do you have any favorite restaurants from the list? Or are you hoping to try a restaurant that was nominated? We have our eyes on the Lost Kitchen, Death & Taxes, RedFarm, Sarma, and Misery Loves Company.

Photos by Meredith Perdue for Map & Menu.