Four local restaurants have secured a spot on Bravo's newest reality show, Best New Restaurant. Hosted by Chef Tom Colicchio of Top Chef fame, the cooking competition will feature local favorites Swift's Attic, Barlata Tapas Bar, Porter Ale House and Gastropub, and Restaurant Jezebel.
Based on a U.K. television show hosted by Gordon Ramsay, Best New Restaurant pits 16 restaurants from Austin,New York, Miami and Los Angeles in a head-to-head competition that tests everything from overall performance to strength of the staff to the clarity of the restaurant's concept. The winner will secure an editorial feature in Bon Appétit, a slot at the Vegas Uncork’d food festival, and $100,000.
Colicchio, along with co-hosts Maggie Nemser and Jeffrey Zurofsky, will determine a winner at the end of the first eight episodes. Those winners will go on to compete in the semifinals. During the semifinal round, the restaurants will compete in groups to open a pop-up restaurant. The grand finale will see the final two restaurants in a head-to-head competition at Colicchio's Riverpark restaurant in New York.
Best New Restaurant premieres on Bravo on Wednesday, January 21 at 9 pm. The restaurant pairings are:
Shared Plates — The Federal vs. Swift’s Attic (Austin)
Italian Cuisine — Dolce Italian vs. Doma Beverly Hills
New Service Concepts — The Church Key vs. Restaurant Jezebel (Austin)
Operated by Couples — R House vs. Barlata Tapas Bar (Austin)
Battle of the Burger — Porter Ale House and Gastropub (Austin) vs. Tongue & Cheek
European Inspired — L’Apicio vs. Little Sparrow
Fast Casual Dining — Morgan’s Barbecue vs. Buns & Buns
Seasonal Menus — Union Restaurant vs. The Pines
In July, the show enlisted local diners to participate in the filming of the program. Though it hasn't been revealed which — if any — local restaurants won in their categories, it should be noted that Restaurant Jezebel's West Sixth Street space was recently put up for rent. The restaurant remains open while a new tenant is found, but the future is uncertain.
Tom Colicchio will host.
