Sacramento Restaurateurs Award Area’s Best at Annual Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2007

Sacramento, Calif. – The Sacramento Chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its annual Five Star Review Awards Dinner on Sunday, October 21 at the Sacramento Radisson. This gala is a highly recognized peer-to-peer awards dinner in Sacramento celebrating worthy restaurants in the region. It is an opportunity for members to acknowledge their fellow restaurateurs for their creativity, concepts and achievements in more than 25 award categories.

“The Five Star Review is an important evening that unifies the industry and illustrates the strength of the restaurant community,” said CRA Sacramento Chapter President Jeff Newland of Il Fornaio. “But this evening is about more than that. It’s about giving back to the community that supports us and supporting the future of our industry.”

This year’s Sacramento Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award went to Perry G. “Mr. Perry” Potiris, a Sacramento restaurateur since 1968, known for his 24-hour coffee shops off of Highway 99—Original Perry’s, Mr. Perry’s and Kallie’s. As the son of an Iowa restaurateur, Potiris’ career was steered by his father’s simple but well-founded advice to “serve quality meals at reasonable prices.” Potiris and his family have also served the community over the years through their support of local organizations. Among his many awards and honors, Potiris served as the exclusive caterer for Governor Pat Brown.

The Career of Excellence Award was given to Mario Ortiz of the Firehouse Restaurant. Ortiz started at the Firehouse as a busboy and worked through the ranks to become the Firehouse’s General Manager. His more than 30 years of service to the Firehouse and the industry are greatly admired.

“We are so pleased to honor these two men who have dedicated their lives to serving others,” continued Newland.

More than 500 people attended the gala, with a portion of the proceeds from the event and silent auction benefiting the CRA Sacramento Chapter Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Institute of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at American River College.

Winners in each category were nominated and voted on by Sacramento-area restaurateurs. Please see below for the complete list:

Best Bakery
Freeport Bakery
Best Bar/Brewery
Sacramento Brewing Company
Best Barbecue
JR’s Texas B-B-Que
Best Café/Coffeehouse
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Best Casino Dining
Austins Steakhouse at Thunder Valley
Best Catering
Fat’s Asia Bistro & Dim Sum Bar
Best Chinese
Frank Fat’s
Best Delicatessen
Corti Brothers
Best Family/Casual Restaurant
The Old Spaghetti Factory
Best Fast Food
In-N-Out Burger
Best Fine Dining
Biba Restaurant
Best French
La Provence
Best Hotel Restaurant
Dawson’s American Bistro & Martinis (The Hyatt)
Best Ice Cream or Yogurt
Leatherby’s Family Creamery
Best Italian
Biba Restaurant
Best Japanese/Sushi
Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Best Mediterranean
Greek Village Inn
Best Mexican/Southwestern
Dos Coyotes
Best Middle Eastern
Star of India Restaurant
Best New Restaurant
Crush 29
Best Pacific Rim
Frank Fat’s
Best Pizza
Chicago Fire
Best Seafood
Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar
Best Sports Restaurant
Mandango’s Sports Bar & Grill
Best Steakhouse
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Vendor/Supplier of the Year
SYSCO Food Services of Sacramento