Announcing the 2012 Eater Awards for Dallas

It is time now—drumroll, trumpets, etc.—to announce the winners of the 2012 Eater Awards. In over a dozen categories in 19 cities, the winners comprise a diverse group of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the country. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts...

To recap, Eater's local editors in 19 cities nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and Stone Cold Stunner. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose the winner. Our Eater National brain trust then got together to decide the national winners for those categories. In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.

Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes. And now, without further ado, the winners in Dallas.

Click through for the full rundown of winners across the country on Eater National.

Eater Awards 2012

Restaurant of the Year
Nominees: Pecan Lodge, Driftwood, Oak, Off-Site Kitchen, FT33
Finalists: Pecan Lodge, Driftwood, FT33
Winner: Driftwood

Chef of the Year:
Nominees: Jason Maddy, Tiffany Derry, Matt McCallister, David Uygur, Tim Byres
Finalists: Jason Maddy, Tiffany Derry, Matt McCallister
Winner: Matt McCallister

So Hot Right Now
Nominees: Acme F&B, Boulevardier, East Hampton Sandwich Co., Monica's Nueva Cocina, Sissy's
Finalists: Acme F&B, Boulevardier, East Hampton Sandwich Co.
Winner: Boulevardier

Bartender of the Year
Nominees: Brian McCullough, J.W. Tate, Eddie "Lucky" Campbell, Rocco Milano, Gabe Sanchez
Finalists: J.W. Tate, Rocco Milano, Gabe Sanchez
Winner: Rocco Milano

Stone Cold Stunner
Nominees: Fearing's, Oak, Tei-An, Tillman's Roadhouse, The French Room
Finalists: Oak, Tei-An, The French Room
Winner: Oak

Most Tragic Closing
Winner: Nana