
The Team From Kingfield's ‘Midwest French' Bistro Is Still Digesting Its James Beard Nomination
Jeanie Janas Ritter and Adam Ritter first found out that their Kingfield bistro, Bûcheron, was a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in a text from their former boss, Minneapolis culinary icon Gavin Kaysen. The husband-and-wife duo had made a name for themselves working at Kaysen's celebrated restaurants — including Spoon and Stable, Demi, and the soon-to-be-revived Bellecour — before opening Bûcheron just over a year ago. The intimate restaurant quickly earned a devoted following for its refined, French fare.
'We were stunned. It was a couple of crazy days of people emailing and texting us,' says Jeanie, the restaurant's hospitality director. 'One of my favorite moments was when we shared it in our team group chat because of the genuine excitement and pride. It was clear to me that it's everybody's recognition.'
Bûcheron is one of 10 nominees in the category and the only restaurant from the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. (The only other Minnesota restaurant ever nominated in the category was Owamni, which brought home the award in 2022.) This year, they will be joined by a cadre of other Minnesotans for Best Chef: Midwest nominees, including Shigeyuki Furukawa of Kado no Mise, Diane Moua of Diane's Place, and Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel. Bar Brava is a finalist for its notable wine program.
Jeanie sees a common thread among the Twin Cities restaurants that are garnering national attention. 'I think that Minnesota cuisine is defined by the ingredients rather than the technique,' says Jeanie. 'And when you think about the most exciting restaurants in Minneapolis that people are talking about, the techniques at each of those places are pretty dramatically different, but I think there's a similar thread of ingredients that you start to find.'
The menu at Bûcheron is often described as a Midwestern interpretation of the French bistronomy movement, which seems in line with the clear-eyed vision for the restaurant.
'We approach [the food] as 'Midwest French.' Like using a French technique for a Midwestern dish or a French dish with Midwestern ingredients,' says chef Adam Ritter. 'A lot of places you go nowadays, it's like a hodgepodge of different cuisines. So we try to stay in that lane.'
Adam isn't interested in over-manipulating components or disguising their origins. He says that guests and other chefs were pleasantly surprised when he served celery root tortellini in an acorn broth earlier this year. At a dinner last June, he fashioned a tiny frozen tree out of a dolgo crab apple and lilac bushes to mimic a photo in a book by local artist Mary Jo Hoffman.
Ingredients from local producers embed a sense of place into Bûcheron's menu — wild rice from the Indigenous Food Lab, beef from Fellers Ranch, and jam from Adam's uncle's raspberry bushes. To keep ingredients as local as possible — Adam insists Minnesota chanterelles are better than those on the West Coast — his team freezes local produce at peak ripeness to serve year-round.
'Everything needs to taste like what it is, so if a carrot is on the plate, it should taste like a carrot,' says Adam. 'I want to make it delicate to where you can taste everything that's in the dish harmoniously.'
The Ritters' decision to open a restaurant was motivated by both the needs of their growing family and their passion for excellent food and hospitality. The couple, who have two toddlers, wanted to create a positive work environment for their family and employees.
'We were on a walk with our baby right before I went back from maternity leave,' says Jeanie. 'Being in the restaurant business with young children is really hard, there's a lot of nights solo parenting. We knew if we wanted to do this and make it work, we needed to do it on our own terms.'
Being independent restaurant owners has allowed the owners to have more control over their schedules and realize their vision for the menu. The Ritters made time for their family by hiring a team of trusted and familiar faces — both in the kitchen and front of house — that hold the same high culinary standards that they have. A few of Adam's former Demi colleagues joined the Ritters at Bûcheron, including chef de cuisine Cory Western and general manager Tyler McLeod. And thanks to years of developing relationships with the Twin Cities' most discerning diners, the Bûcheron team enjoys the company of many old friends throughout the week. One of the ways their community comes together is through bimonthly tasting dinners, some centered on the cuisines of regions in Spain or France, and others based on a fellow chef's memoir or a book of photography, like Hoffman's.
'We've built up a really good community of guests at other restaurants over the last eight years,' says Jeanie. 'We've gotten so close with so many of our regulars that when we have a hog roast for our team twice a year, a lot of them come.'
With the James Beard spotlight now shining on Bûcheron, the Ritters remain committed to improving the day-to-day experience of running a neighborhood bistro. Reservations are booking out faster than ever, though they're quick to note that the bar is always open for walk-ins. Amid the buzz, the Ritters are still focused on the fundamentals: improving building operations, deepening relationships with local producers, and chipping away at their SBA loan.
While staffed by many industry veterans, the Bûcheron team is still learning the day-to-day realities of overseeing a small neighborhood bistro. It's housed in an older building, and while guests might admire the ambiance by Christian Dean Architecture, behind the scenes, much of the first year has been spent steadily making improvements. Each season brings its own challenges — freezing temperatures, spring rain, and blazing sun which means problem-solving so the patio tables aren't baking hot. Recognition is exciting, but success still looks like hard work, smart decisions, and dishes that taste like home.
Sign up for our newsletter.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
19 Gel Nail Ideas for June That Put Us In a Summer State of Mind
Gel nails are a summer staple for any beauty lover. With more time spent swimming, gardening, going on vacation, and simply enjoying the outdoors, having a durable and long-lasting manicure is essential this time of year, and that's exactly what you'll get with gel nails (we're talking manis that last 10 to 14 days). Now that June is finally here, it's time to start thinking about the fun summer gel manis we all want to try. From colorful French tips to seaside- and floral-inspired designs, we can officially break out the bright colors and elaborate seasonal nail art. Ahead, our 19 favorite gel nail ideas for June that are perfect for summery days ahead. There's nothing like golden hour in the summer months. Bring a touch of gold to your nails with this multi-finish mani. Get a color-blocking effect with this bright and sunny nail art design. We're envisioning sitting by the pool with a cold drink in hand, showing off this stunning mani. Come June, flowers are on full display. It seems only right to have a manicure to match. Wear your favorite flower on each nail for a totally custom mani. Who said brown nail polishes are only for autumn? This Western-inspired design with French tips is perfect for outdoorsy summer nights, whether you're at the rodeo or just looking for a mani that matches everything. Neons and summer go hand-in-hand. Take a slightly different approach by incorporating all your favorite neon colors across your nails for a rainbow-like effect. Turquoise, pink, and flowers—can it get more summery than that? This June, try an out-of-the-box seaside-inspired mani like this one. We're dreaming of taking these nails on a Caribbean vacation. Citrus fruits, sunsets, marigolds, and more—all summery orange things we love. Add this dewdrop mani to the list. Aura nails will forever be one of our favorite simple yet show-stopping nail art ideas. Choose two of your favorite nail polish shades for June, and create the look by painting one color for the base and airbrushing the other color on top. Sipping strawberry lemonade this month? Get the nails to match. This beautiful ombré gradient flows seamlessly from pink to yellow. Use builder gel and rhinestones to create this mix-and-match floral manicure. The nails' long, stiletto shape makes this blooming set look extra eye-catching. Tomato girl summer, coquette bows, and strawberries pretty much sum up peak girlhood lately. Give your manicure a feminine touch by adding these girly additions to each nail. Dress up what is an otherwise simple nude manicure with silver foil detailing. Experiment with your favorite summer shades to create a seasonally inspired, customized manicure that's just for you. With trends like aura nails and French tips all the rage, incorporate your go-to nail art for this unique manicure. A baby blue French manicure with florals is perfect for June, right when we're transitioning from spring to summer. Add rhinestones to zhuzh things up. No one was ever the same after Hailey Bieber first debuted her glazed donut nails. They take on a different life with this emerald green base. Paint your nails with your dark green gel polish, and after curing, wipe chrome powder on top of each nail to get the effect. Set your fingertips ablaze with red flames. The fiery red designs contrast with the pink and blue base, adding a touch of flair (ahem, flare) to the manicure. Cat-eye nail designs have become popular in every shade and design, including these muted colors. Apply a cat-eye magnetic gel polish, then create the swirls by hovering a magnet above the nails in a circular motion. There's something alien-esque about these pink nails with silver chrome detailing. If you're not a pink person, use any other color for your base (just make sure the silver will still pop!). Jelly nails for summer? Yes please. Paint them a Barbie pink color for ultimate summer vibes. Read the original article on Byrdie


Eater
4 hours ago
- Eater
Wynn Debuts Sartiano's Steakhouse, a New York Social Hotspot for the Strip
Wynn Las Vegas is bringing a double dose of New York influence to the Strip this winter. The resort already announced an outpost of Zero Bond, the exclusive Manhattan members club known for its buzzy guest list and low-key power plays. Alongside it comes Sartiano's Italian Steakhouse, a refined spin on the classic steakhouse from Bond Hospitality and Scott Sartiano, with a kitchen helmed by three-time James Beard Award winner Alfred Portale. Together, Sartiano's and Zero Bond mark a high-profile pairing of hospitality heavyweights — and a notable expansion of NYC's social scene into Las Vegas. When it opens at the Wynn this winter, Sartiano's will infuse the Wynn with a dose of New York cool, one that will likely play nicely with Zero Bond — or at least with the customers that pay the four-digit annual dues to frequent it (Sartiano's will be open to the public). Chef Portale is widely considered one of New York's most influential chefs, credited with shaping the 'big food' movement and mentoring a generation of culinary stars during his decades at Gotham Bar and Grill. At Sartiano's in New York — located inside the Mercer Hotel in SoHo — the vibe is sceney, with a menu that balances luxury and modern flash. Dishes include $48 caviar cannoli with crisp pastry shells filled with whipped mascarpone, rolled in black fish roe and chives. In Las Vegas, Portale will serve as culinary director, with day-to-day operations led by Las Vegas native Michael Rubinstein, whose résumé includes stints at Momofuku and Vetri Cucina. The Las Vegas menu will carry over highlights from the New York original while introducing new dishes exclusive to the Strip. Among the standouts are baked clams with pancetta and smoked bacon, lasagna with wild mushrooms and black truffle, and large servings of paccheri pasta with herbed ricotta and 'Sunday sauce.' A selection of prime bistecca cuts features prized American and Japanese wagyu, including a 40-ounce Double R Ranch dry-aged bistecca alla Fiorentina, carved tableside and served with Brunello beef jus and salsa verde. And yes, Portale is importing those caviar cannoli from New York. The restaurant's design will lean mid-century modern, with bold, geometric patterns meant to echo Las Vegas style from the 1950s, according to the Wynn. Expect an arched ceiling and a distinctive terrazzo floor. It will be tucked into an alcove overlooking the Wynn Golf Club, with a bar, lounge, outdoor dining, and a private dining room, and will sit adjacent to Zero Bond. New York's Zero Bond draws a high-profile crowd, including Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, and — notably — Mayor Eric Adams. The club has recently made headlines over a rumored potential acquisition by billionaire Tilman Fertitta, a Trump ally and U.S. ambassador to Italy, who has recently vowed to divest from his empire of over 600 restaurants. Fertitta also owns the Golden Nugget and is the largest individual shareholder of Wynn Resorts. Meanwhile, Sartiano's in New York is known both as a hotspot for Italian steakhouse fare and an influencer magnet. In Las Vegas, it's poised to become a destination where seeing and being seen go hand in hand — or at least for indulging in some serious gawking at the parade of who's who moving between the restaurant and the club next door. See More: Vegas Restaurant Openings
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump to attend 'Les Misérables' premiere as protests persist across the country
President Donald Trump is set to attend the opening night of 'Les Misérables,' a musical set against a background of revolution and protest, at Washington, D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday. 'I love the songs, I love the play,' Trump told Fox News Digital last week. 'I think it's great.' The opening night of a monthlong run of the Tony Award-winning show comes amid widespread protests against the president's immigration policies and his decision to deploy members of the military in response. Protesting against power is a major theme in the show, which is centered around student-led demonstrations against the French monarchy. 'Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the musical tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption — a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit,' reads the official summary on the Kennedy Center's website. Songs from the musical have been used in protests against governments around the world since the show debuted in 1980, including by pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong in 2019. Protesters sang one of the show's most popular and recognizable hits, 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' which includes the lyrics, 'Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?' The show will be the first production Trump has attended as head of the Kennedy Center. He did not attend any performances during his first term in office, and in February he replaced the entire board of trustees and had himself named chairman of the board. The shake-up resulted in some concerts being canceled — including a performance by the Gay Men's Chorus in honor of Pride Month — and other artists and productions pulling out of planned shows to protest the changes, including actor Issa Rae and a production of 'Hamilton.' 'Our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,' 'Hamilton' producer Jeffrey Seller said in a statement in March. A spokesperson for "Les Miz" said Wednesday, 'We are looking forward to performing for DC audiences beginning tonight and throughout the engagement at the Kennedy Center, where the US first saw the original production in 1986.' The performance Wednesday is serving as a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center. First lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, are expected to attend as well. Security will be tightened around the venue for the performance, the Kennedy Center said. 'Please be advised the Kennedy Center will be closed to non-ticket holders on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, due to enhanced security protocols,' the venue's website said. This article was originally published on