James Beard Awards nominees 2009

Outstanding Restaurateur: Keith McNally

Knock him all you want for the bistro-ification of NYC, but man behind Balthazar and Pastis continues—steadily, consistently, unwaveringly—to deliver some of the city's top-notch dining experiences, mixing ultra-luxe dining concepts with down-home and accessible cuisine.

He's even been able to survive some shake-ups: After Jodi Williams left his Village trattoria, Morandi, he bounced right back by installing Tony Liu. And his overhaul of famed Village institution Minetta Tavern has made it one of the hottest tables of the season, nabbing de rigueur celeb diners like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Then again, should expect anything less from the man who helped put the Meaptacking District on the dining map?