Hasta La Ideas

We suspect it’s the minimal overlap in attendees that accounts for the simultaneous scheduling of last night’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit gala (where Whoopi Goldberg demonstrated a sharp eye for museum-worthy design in an elegant Chado Ralph Rucci ensemble) and the James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony. The latter affair—where there was much more pressure on the caterers—was held across town, at Lincoln Center, but the Met’s Fifth Avenue neighbor was among the honorees. Architect Andre Kikoski bested the competition in the restaurant design category for his work on the Guggenheim’s new Wright restaurant, where patrons can feast upon dishes such as the “baby octopus mosaic” while staring dreamily at artist Liam Gillick‘s stripey, site-specific sculptural installation. Another hometown favorite won in the category of outstanding restaurant graphics, as Pandiscio Co. took home a James Beard medal for its anything but standard branding for New York’s Standard Grill. Oh, and some chefs and food also got awards! Here’s the full list of winners.

Previously on UnBeige: