They're On Award Tour: Uchiko + Local Baker Barrie Cullinan Win National Honors

Local baker Barrie Cullinan has baked some of your favorite breads, even if you might not realize it: Cullinan is formerly of Vespaio, and now bakes and delivers bread to La Boîte Café, Antonelli's Cheese Shop, Jo's Coffee, and Royal Blue Grocery. Her creations are also the house breads at Eastside Show Room and David Bull's brand new Second Bar + Kitchen. In the upcoming January 2011 issue of Bon Appetit, writer Andrew Knowlton names Ms. Cullinan one of the "Top 10 Best Bread Bakeries in America," which is quite an accomplishment - especially for someone without a retail storefront (yet). While there will be a retail spot at some point in 2011, in the meantime, it's nice to know that our cheesemongers, chefs, and grocers have such an eye for locally-sourced artisan products.

Also scooping a top honor this month is Tyson Cole and Paul Qui's Uchiko, which has been named one of the "10 Best New Restaurants in America" by Alan Richman at GQ. Since eight of the ten spots on Richman's list are on the East or West Coast, the fact that they made it is really something for Austin to be proud of. In his piece, Richman praises the watermelon sashimi, Hama chili, and grilled mackerel, and applauds the chefs for "distinctive and daring toppings" and for flavor combinations vivid enough to make him leave the soy sauce untouched. If you're not already familiar with Uchiko, they actually take reservations via the web, so head on over and see for yourself.