20220630-HOWARDMAGAZINE - Flipbook - Page 27
Best chef
COREY LAUB
A Creekstone Farms N.Y. strip
steak with asparagus, paired
with a glass of red at The Iron
Bridge Wine Co. PHOTOS BY KEVIN
He was a political science major in college when he took a job in a restaurant
kitchen. Two days later, having found his calling, Corey Laub quit school. Now,
at 31, having sharpened his skills (and knives) at
high-end eateries in Baltimore, Washington and
Chicago, Laub has settled in at Iron Bridge,
whose menu changes every 90 days.
“My passion is appraising different
flavors to try something new,” said Laub,
a Columbia native. “I want people to
step out of their comfort zones [elk
tenderloin, squid gazpacho] without
scaring them away.”
Iron Bridge co-owner Rob Wecker
marvels at Laub’s marriage of food and
wine.
“He has a deft hand with everything from
scallops to soft crabs,” said Wecker, “and he’s one
of the few chefs that I trust with a pork chop.”
RICHARDSON
Best server
NICKI SCHAEFER
Here’s what Nicki Schaefer brings to the
table: an unerring ability to connect with
patrons, anticipate their needs and hover
without being intrusive.
“She creates memorable moments
with her guests,” Iron Bridge co-owner
Rob Wecker said. Plus, her grasp of
wine pairings is first-rate.
“Never let people feel that you’re busy,”
said Schaefer, 24, who attended Mount
Hebron High. “Whether you have one table
or 100, your guests shouldn’t feel any different.”
Best overall
THE IRON BRIDGE
WINE CO.
Honorable mentions:
Cured | 18th & 21st
Hudson Coastal
The White Oak Tavern
Black-owned restaurant
ALTHEA’S ALMOST
FAMOUS - I LOVE THIS
JERK
Honorable mention:
The Hideout
Breakfast/brunch
EGGSPECTATION
Honorable mentions:
Cured | 18th & 21st
The White Oak Tavern
The Iron Bridge Wine Co.
Burger
THE WHITE OAK TAVERN
Honorable mentions:
The Iron Bridge Wine Co.
Cured | 18th & 21st
Walker’s Tap & Table
Chef
COREY LAUB, THE IRON
BRIDGE WINE CO.
Honorable mentions:
Vince Bellofatto, The White Oak Tavern
Sylvia Choi, Cured | 18th & 21st
Chad Wells, Walker’s Tap & Table
Chinese
ASEAN BISTRO
Honorable mentions:
Hunan Manor
Hunan Legend
Asian Court
howardmagazine.com | SUMMER 2022 | 27