PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Two of the eight Rhode Island businesses in the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant Award semifinals have advanced to the prestigious competition’s final round.
Best New Bar
LOMA, which is on Spruce Street in Providence, opened in December 2024 and was named one of Punch’s Best New Bars 2025 and Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar in Tales of the Cocktail’s U.S. East category.
In a January Instagram post, LOMA’s co-owners called recognition from the James Beard Foundation “a dream come true,” adding, “We’re so proud to represent our family, friends, guests and other working class, grass roots programs everywhere.”
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Nicks on Broadway’s chef and owner, Derek Wagner, will head to Chicago for the second year in a row as a nominee in the Best Chef: Northeast category. His restaurant was recently one of 39 across the country named to USA Today’s 2026 “Restaurants of the Year” list.
“This recognition is a testament to the incredible hard work and heart our entire team pours into this restaurant every day,” Wagner wrote on Instagram back in January. “Our mission remains simple: take care of people, make delicious food and drink, and have a positive impact on our community.”…