2012 Best of Taste Awards Announced

The "Best of Taste" awards — a precursor to the Taste of Cincinnati food fest later this month — were doled out today. Eighty dishes from 30 restaurants were served to judges — "celebrities, foodies and the epicurious" — and they awarded the Crab and Shrimp Dumpling with Noodle from Arloi Dee Thai Bistro the coveted "Best Damn Dish" prize.Here's the full list of winners:AppetizersBest of Taste: Strasse Haus, Fried Peanut Butter & JellyAward of Excellence: LaRosa’s, Spinach RondoAward of Merit:  Market Street Grille, Stuffed Chicken Amore Soups/SaladsBest of Taste: du jours/Courtyard Café, Hunter’s Home Turkey ChiliAward of Excellence: ZZ’s Pizza Company, Caprese Salad   Award of Merit: City Barbeque, Gumbo                SeafoodBest of Taste: Arloi Dee Thai Bistro, Crab & Shrimp Dumpling with Noodle             Award of Excellence: ZZ’s Pizza Company, Seafood Pizza  Award of Merit: Mahagony’s, Shrimp and Grits                 EntreesBest of Taste: Andy’s Mediterranean Grille, Gyro Wrap                                     Award of Excellence: Claddagh Irish Pub, Jameson Burger  Award of Merit: Lazlo’s Iron Skillet, Walking Chicken Saltimbocca           Vegetarian EntreeBest of Taste: du jours/Courtyard Café, Black Bean Burrito                            Award of Excellence:  J. Gumbo’s, Bumblebee Stew  Award of Merit: LaRosa’s, Skinny Wheat Pizza DessertsBest of Taste: ZZ’s Pizza Company, Banana Cream Pie                      Award of Excellence:  du jour’s/Courtyard Café, Raspberry Cloud Pie          Award of Merit: Claddagh Irish Pub, Bread Pudding                       Best Damn Dish                  Arloi Dee Thai Bistro, Crab & Shrimp Dumpling with NoodleTaste of Cincinnati is coming up Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28. Visit TasteofCincinnati.com for more details.