Two D.C. destinations made the semifinalist list for the country’s best new restaurant as the James Beard Foundation released nominations for its coveted annual culinary awards to be doled out in May.

Thamee at 1320 H St. NE and Rooster & Owl at 2436 14th St. NW both opened last year and join 30 names in contention nationwide for the James Beard Award for best new restaurant for 2020.

In all, more than dozen D.C.-area restaurants, restaurateurs and chefs are among the semifinalists for a James Beard Award across several categories. That includes Ann Cashion of Johnny’s Half Shell and perennial favorite Vikram Sunderam of Rasika battling it out in the outstanding chef category. Angel Barreto of Anju, Daniela Moreira of Timber Pizza Co. and Paola Velez of Kith and Kin are semifinalists for the rising star chef of the year category. Kwame Onwuachi of Kith and Kin took home the rising star chef award last year.

Jose Andres’ Jaleo and Johnny Monis’ Komi are once again semifinalists…