In the latest issue of Wine Spectator 3,955 restaurants from around the world were honored as part of Spectator's 2007 Dining Guide and Restaurant Awards. In their words, "Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers." After meeting these and other basic requirements the qualifying restaurants are then presented one of three awards - Award of Excellence (3,131 winners), Best of Award of Excellence (748 winners), and Grand Award (76 winners).
Washington State had approximately 70 award winners, with one Grand Award presented to Canlis. Included in the winners was one of our local favorites Smash Wine Bar & Bistro who received an Award of Excellence. While there were several other very good Washington restaurants that also received awards as well, it was nice to see Smash on there given their relaxed "snob free" atmosphere and approach to wine. It's also quite an accomplishment given that they have only been in business for just over one year, opening in April 2006. So, kudos to Smash and all of the other Spectator award winners, which also included favorites such as Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, Tulio, Meritage Restaurant & Wine Bar, and 35th Street Bistro.