“Wine Spectator,” the world’s leading authority on wine, named Harveys and Restaurant Tyler, both in Starkville, as winners of 2022 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine.
This year’s awards program recognizes 3,169 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 70 countries internationally. The two restaurants were among 19 recognized in the state of Mississippi.
Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 1,782; 1,290; and 97 winners this year in each respective category.
Harveys, part of the Eat With Us restaurant group, won the Award of Excellence, which recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Whether compact or extensive, focused or diverse, these lists deliver outstanding choices to satisfy discerning wine lovers, according to a press release.
“We have worked diligently to offer Starkville and the Golden Triangle a dining experience they can be really proud of,” said Duston Price, Eat With Us beverage director and sommelier. Price has previous experience in Wine Spectator Award-Winning Restaurants in Seattle and Atlanta, and it was always a goal to bring an award to Starkville. “The wine culture in Starkville is thriving and we are excited to be a part of it. We’re grateful to our guests who were willing to go on this journey with us and try new things, as well as our staff’s commitment to knowledge and stellar service. We offer a wide range of selections — from top producers to small, up-and-coming winemakers. Harveys is a steakhouse, so obviously our list leans more towards big, bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel — but you’ll also find beautiful German Rieslings, Champagne — and my personal favorite: Burgundy and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.”
Restaurant Tyler was one of five Mississippi restaurants that received the Best of Award of Excellence.
According to “Wine Spectator,” restaurants deserving of the award take their love of wine a step further, such as carefully designing the presentation of the list, training staff on wine to ensure guests have knowledgeable assistance and giving diners an opportunity to learn more through curated wine dinners.
Attempts to reach Restaurant Tyler by press time for comment were unsuccessful.
“A lot of work has gone into building our program,” a post on Restaurant Tyler’s Facebook page read. “During COVID we had to downsize our list and it took time to not only rebuild it but to expand it. None of this would have been possible without the amazing guests who wine and dine with us! Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially our staff who continue to push their knowledge of food and wine.”
Restaurant Tyler won the Award of Excellence in 2021. According to the restaurant’s Facebook post: “It is an honor to have moved up a level… our journey continues! Thank you to our Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine Bobbie Burgess, General Manager Quint Pannell, Chef de Cuisine Chef John Fitzgerald, and our leaders/owners Chef Ty Thames and Brian Kelley!”
Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher, “Wine Spectator,” congratulated all the restaurants that earned an award.
“These awards not only guide our readers to dining establishments with impressive wine lists and outstanding service, but also serve to honor restaurants for their achievements and commitment to maintaining pristine cellars,” he said, in a press release. “We are thrilled to reveal our 2022 Dining Guide, which points to places where wine drinkers are warmly welcomed.”
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