French Laundry, Ritz Somms Win Big, Negronis On-Tap

AWARDS SEASON - On Sunday, two local sommelier competitors beat out 12 finalists for the Guild of Sommeliers' TOP|SOMM and Top New Somm titles. TOP|SOMM went to Ian Cauble, Lead Sommelier and Beverage Director of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. The French Laundry's Desmond Echavarrie went home with the award in the Top New Somm (under 30 years old) category. Both competitors beat out top sommeliers from across the U.S. after surviving written, service and tasting examinations under the scrutiny of a panel of Master Sommeliers. These competitions started in 2010 as a way to acknowledge leading U.S. sommeliers who have not yet achieved Master Sommelier-dom. Now Cauble and Echavarrie are officially ones to watch. [EaterWire]

TENDER NOB - Signore Lucchesi passes on the good word that brand-new Jasper's Corner Tap now has Negronis on tap. Bar manager Kevin Diedrich thinks it’s probably the first cocktail on tap to exist in SF. Expect other spirit-heavy mixed drinks to debut in the coming months. [ISSF]

MISSION - The new Bombay Bazar (Bazaar?) presence under the 101 has started serving hot items like samosas and vegetable curry sliders for lunch. SFoodie thinks its better than your average Indian buffet. [SFoodie]

EXPANSIONWIRE - Five Guys, a.k.a. In-N-Out of the East Coast, just signed a lease to go into Concord's Clayton Valley Shopping Center this Fall. According to the SFBJ, they have 11 outposts currently operating and in the works, but no known plans yet to enter the San Francisco burger heat. [SFBJ]

VIDEO INTERLUDE - GrubStreet has the Gayot video of Sophie Gayot and Dominique Crenn talking about Atelier Crenn. Hear those French accents in action as they run through every single dish on the tasting menu. Ouf. [GrubStreet]