My niece is a James Beard semifinalist! 4 Upstate Restaurants Named 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalists | Chronogram Magazine

Cafe Mutton

We saw this one coming a mile away. Since opening in May 2021, Shaina Loew-Banayan’s cozy corner joint Cafe Mutton has garnered praise from every corner, with lines around the block for lunch even on weekdays. In September 2022, Bon Appetit boldly claimed the spot as one of America’s best new restaurants while the New York Times noted Cafe Mutton on its coveted list of “50 places in America we’re most excited about right now.” So making it to the James Beard Åward semifinalist round for Best Chef: New York State isn’t exactly a shocker.