Today, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for their annual awards recognizing the best chefs, restaurants and service in the United States, and several local establishments and chefs made the cut. (The list in .PDF format is here.) In fact, the list of Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, is nearly identical to last year.

Judges will narrow down the nominees to a list of finalists that will be live-tweeted on March 19 with the winners announced on May 7.

Best New Restaurant
– Fiola
– Little Serow

Outstanding Bar Program
– The Columbia Room
– PX

Outstanding Pastry Chef
– Tiffany MacIssac, Birch & Barley/

Outstanding Restaurant
– Marcel’s

Outstanding Restaurateur
– Ashok Bajoj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group

Outstanding Service
– Restaurant Eve

Outstanding Wine Service
– CityZen at the Mandarin Oriental
– Restaurant Eve

Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional
– Greg Engert, Neighborhood Restaurant Group

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
– Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve
– Tony Conte, The Oval Room
– Scott Drewno, The Source
– Johnny Monis, Komi
– Peter Pastan, Obelisk
– Vikram Sunderam, Rasika