Chicago restaurants recognized by Beard

May 5, 2009 (NEW YORK) ABC7's Hungry Hound was in New York City for the big event. PHOTOS: Where he snacked in NYC

The Chicago winners were:

Best Cookbook from a Professional Perspective: Alinea

Best Restaurant Design: The Publican

Chef Paul Bartolotta, who worked at Chicago's Spiaggia for years and still owns a home in the Gold Coast, won Best Chef: Southwest for his restaurant, Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Bartolotta is expected to open a place in Chicago in the future.

New York Chef Dan Barber was named the nation's top chef by the James Beard Foundation.