San Diego, Calif. – The San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its 23rd annual Gold Medallion Awards Banquet, San Diego’s most prestigious restaurant honors, on Wednesday, May 9 at the Town & Country Resort. This industry awards gala is a highly celebrated peer-to-peer awards dinner in San Diego recognizing worthy and exceptional restaurants in the region. It is an opportunity for members to acknowledge their fellow restaurateurs for their business practices, concepts and achievements in more than 40 award categories.
“Because these winners are nominated, and then voted upon by their colleagues in the restaurant industry, the Gold Medallion awards are considered a huge honor by those who receive them,” said Beverly Mascari, President of the CRA San Diego County Chapter. “This event is a chance to recognize local restaurateurs not only for their great cuisine, but also for their superior business practices, demonstrated leadership and continued influence in the restaurant community and hospitality industry as a whole.”
The most distinguished awards went to Tracy Borkum, owner of Urban Kitchen, Chive, Kensington Grill and Laurel Restaurant, for Restaurateur of the Year and Brian Malarkey, Executive Chef at The Oceanaire Seafood Room, for Chef of the Year.
The public also gets a chance to vote for one award category, the People’s Choice Award. Voters mail in their ballot with their favorite San Diego County restaurant selected. This year, the People’s Choice Award went to The Marine Room at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
Approximately 1,300 people attended the gala, with proceeds from the silent and live auction benefiting local restaurant industry education programs.
See below for a complete list of categories and winners:
American Casual Dining – Dakota Grill & Spirits
American Fine Dining – Bertrand at Mr. A’s
Asian Casual – Taste of Thai
Asian Fine Dining – Roppongi
Bar – The Waterfront
BBQ – Phil’s BBQ
Breakfast – Hash House a Go Go
Brewery – Coronado Brewing Company
Casino Buffet – The Ranch House Buffet at Barona Valley Ranch
Casino Restaurant – Sage at Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino
Caterer – French Gourmet
Continental/French Casual – The Prado at Balboa Park
Continental/French Fine Dining – Thee Bungalow
Delicatessen – Tip Top Meats European Deli
Desserts – Gelato Vero Caffe
Ethnic – Indigo Grill
Family Style Restaurant – Mimi’s Café
Fusion – Parallel 33
Hamburger – In-N-Out Burger
Hotel Restaurant Casual – The Grill at the Lodge
Hotel Restaurant Fine Dining – JRDN at Tower 23
Italian Casual – Piatti Locali
Italian Fine Dining – Trattoria Acqua
Live Music Venue/Restaurant – Humphrey’s by the Bay
Mexican Casual – El Indio Mexican Restaurant
Mexican Dinner House – Miguel’s Cocina
Neighborhood Casual – Bread & Cie
Neighborhood Fine – Kensington Grill
New Casual – Paradise Grill
New Fine Dining – Jack’s La Jolla
Pacific Rim – Roy’s
Pizza – Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Pub – The Field
Quick-Service Restaurant – Anthony’s Sea Grill/Fishette
Recreation/Clubs – La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
Seafood Casual Dining – Brigantine Seafood Restaurant
Seafood Fine Dining – Oceanaire Seafood Room
Sports Restaurant/Bar – Moondoggies Pacific Beach
Steakhouse Casual – The Gaslamp Strip Club
Steakhouse Fine Dining – Island Prime
Sunday Brunch Hotel – The Crown Room at the Hotel Del Coronado
Sunday Brunch Restaurant – Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
Sushi Bar – Café Japengo
Wine Bar – The Wine Lover
Restaurateur of the Year – Tracy Borkum, Urban Kitchen, Chive, Kensington Grill and Laurel Restaurant
Chef of the Year – Brian Malarkey, The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Associate Member of the Year (small) – Café Moto
Associate Member of the Year (large) – San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
People’s Choice Award – The Marine Room at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
