Best New Restaurant (2017)

Chef and Master Sommelier Christopher Bates is the man behind Geneva's FLX Table, a restaurant in the form of a 12-person dinner party where diners are treated to a five-course meal with dishes changing nightly.
Photo courtesy of FLX Table

Housed within a 19th century brick building in Louisville, Butchertown Grocery takes inspiration from hard work and craftsmanship in its menu of simple, high-quality dishes, like bone marrow brûlée, braised short ribs, rabbit pappardelle and porcini mushroom risotto. Every dish is personal to Executive Chef Bobby Benjamin, who's worked at top kitchens around the nation.
Photo courtesy of Butchertown Grocery

The flavors of Spain come to Santa Barbara at Loquita. Diners find a menu of fire-roasted seafood, hot and cold tapas, grilled meats and three types of paella at this Waterfront District restaurant, led by executive chef Peter Lee. The wine list is almost entirely comprised of Spanish wines, and the cocktail list highlights Spanish vermouth, sangria and gin & tonics.
Photo courtesy of Rob Stark / Loquita

It's a tiki takeover at The Grass Skirt in San Diego. This fun, Polynesian-themed restaurant and bar serves new twists on Asian favorites, like okinomiyaki fries with bonito, spicy mayo and hoison; pork belly buns; kimchi fried rice and prime hanger steak lettuce wraps. Rum features heavily in the cocktail menu.
Photo courtesy of The Grass Skirt

Executive chef Justin Burdett celebrates the flavors of the South at Local Provisions in Asheville. Everything that can possibly be made in house is, and ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible. Expect dishes like oyster with green apple and ginger, braised pork belly, local beet salad and apple brandy flank steak. 
Photo courtesy of Johnny Autry / Local Provisions

Located in San Diego's Little Italy, Herb & Wood has transformed a former art warehouse into a multi-concept restaurant. Chef Brian Malarkey has designed a menu centered around proteins and veggies from a wood-fired oven; the cocktail menu focuses on fresh herbs, and there's a nice selection of local brews on tap.
Photo courtesy of Becca Batista / Herb & Wood

Chef Erick Harcey takes inspiration from his Swedish roots at his new Minneapolis restaurant, UPTON 43. Pairing traditional comfort food from his childhood with French and modern cooking techniques, Harcey cooks up dishes like Swedish pancakes with lingonberry and honey, gravlax Benedict and, of course, Swedish meatballs.
Photo courtesy of UPTON 43

Sustainable, responsibly-sourced seafood is the name of the game at The Marsh House in Nashville. Taking inspiration from the flavors and spirit of Louisiana, Chef Cameron and his team pair classic flavors with creative dishes, like Korean fried chicken with brown butter waffles, shrimp toast with sweet chili and ginger, pork "dirty" rice with Southern veggie kimchi and Florida clams with lemongrass.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Behrends / The Marsh House

Double Knot is hard to define – coffee shop by day, Asian street food-style lunches, sushi bar by night, speakeasy downstairs. This wildly popular 13th Street eatery, with Executive Chef Kevin Yanaga heading the kitchen, has already become a Philly favorite since opening early in 2016.
Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADLEPHIA

Named after a Thai city on the Malaysian border, Portland's Hat Yai specializes in a southern Thai-style fried chicken. Situated in the Vernon neighborhood, this casual eatery also serves grilled skewers, curry and roti sets, soy-cured short ribs, braised pork belly and oxtail soup.
Photo courtesy of Christine Dong / Hat Yai