Can you get a reservation at a James Beard semifinalist in Seattle?

Several Seattle chefs and their restaurants are semifinalists for this year’s James Beard awards, but can you get a reservation?

MyNorthwest sought to find out how easy, or difficult it would be to get a table this weekend.

Best New Restaurant

• Girin Steakhouse & Ssam Bar in Pioneer Square
Visit this Pioneer Square Korean restaurant, in the running for “best new restaurant,” sooner rather than later. Reservations are fairly easy to get for now.

Outstanding Service

• Cafe Juanita in Kirkland
Tables are available in the near future, but generally at early or late dining times.

Outstanding Restaurant

• Lark in Capitol Hill
Pickings are slim when reserving a time and table. Plan ahead – about a week out or more – otherwise, your options are likely early or late.

Rising Star of the Year

• Maximillian Petty at Eden Hill in Queen Anne
Reservations at Eden Hill are tight. Even a week in advance, you are likely going to have to choose between eating early, or later in the evening.

Outstanding Chef

• Matt Dillon at Bar Sajor in Pioneer Square
Prime dining times are nabbed pretty quickly. Reserve a week ahead. Due to its proximity to the ferry terminal, Bainbridge Islanders are likely to flood this place once word spreads.

• Jerry Traunfeld at Poppy in Capitol Hill
Chances are good that you can get a spot at this Capitol Hill restaurant.

Best Chef in the Northwest

• Eric Donnelly at RockCreek in Fremont

You’re likely going to get an early or late reservation but plan ahead. Availability for prime dining times is rare.

• Renee Erickson at The Whale Wins in Wallingford
Good luck eating around that coveted 7 o’clock hour at this popular Wallingford spot. Reservations are likely available early or late in the evening. Saturday availability is tight, even a week in advance.

• Edouardo Jordan at Salare in Ravenna
Reservations are easier to get a week in advance. Otherwise, you are eating early or late.

• Nathan Lockwood at Altura in Capitol Hill
Making reservations a week in advance may improve your chances at getting a table, but not by much. Saturdays are popular at this spot.

• Dustin Ronspies at Art of the Table in Fremont

Friday is easier to reserve than Saturdays, but not by much. Even reserving a week out can be difficult. Try for early or later dining times.

• Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi at Joule in Wallingford
Availability improves the further out you plan. Eating earlier or later will improve your chances.

The James Beard Foundation received nearly 20,000 nominations for various honors this year, submitted by foodies around the country. The list will narrow on March 15. The winners will be announced in Chicago on May 2.

The total list of finalists spans the nation, but luckily Seattle Met whittled the list down to just its Northwest talent.

Information from OpenTable

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