Two lists — one long, one short — got a lot of attention this week. The longer one, this year’s James Beard Foundation Award nominees, contains many of the usual suspects and a lot of new faces. The shorter one, GQ’s picks for the year’s most outstanding restaurants, includes 12 places that critic Alan Richman says do everything well. We’re also following reports of how restaurant companies are coping with the demands of the Affordable Care Act, how some foodservice segments may not survive and the CIA’s new restaurant.
• Adapting to health care rules. Darden Restaurants, Papa John’s Pizza and other foodservice companies have tried cutting employees' hours to skirt Affordable Care Act requirements. How’s that working for them? (CNBC)
• Some restaurant segments decline. Today’s economic and health-conscious environment threatens the survival of diners, cafeterias and all-you-can-eat buffets. (Investopedia)
• James Beard nominees named. The James Beard Foundation just rolled out its annual list of restaurant and chef semifinalists. (Grub Street New York)
• Critic picks best U.S. restaurants. Alan Richman names a dozen restaurants that get the food, service and vibe right. (GQ)
• New CIA restaurant opens. Bocuse “offers guests the chance to experience French cuisine through the lens of modern techniques.” (Forbes)