Press & Recognition
Media Contact: sonia-spina — sonia@blueribbonrestaurants.com
Press Kit
Source: BR-Presskit_07.18.2025.pdf (most recent as of April 2026)
“Since 1992, Blue Ribbon Restaurants has embodied the spirit of individuality by offering a truly authentic dining experience. Blue Ribbon Restaurants are inspired by their local surroundings as modern neighborhood restaurants with no boundaries.”
Brand Recognition
Fried Chicken Awards
Blue Ribbon’s fried chicken program has received more national recognition than any other menu category:
| Award | Source |
|---|---|
| Best Fried Chicken in America | Food & Wine Magazine |
| Best Fried Chicken in the U.S. | Food & Wine Magazine |
| Best Fried Chicken in America | The Daily Meal |
| Best Fried Chicken | Weekly Seven |
Note: Multiple awards specifically cited the Las Vegas locations (Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill Las Vegas at Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch).
Other Recognition
| Award | Source |
|---|---|
| Top Las Vegas Meeting Places | Fox Business |
| Bone marrow dish featured editorially | Michelin Guide |
| 5+ NYC location reviews | The Infatuation |
Press Timeline — Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Blue Ribbon Brasserie opens, 97 Sullivan St, SoHo |
| 1995 | Blue Ribbon Sushi opens with Toshi Ueki, 119 Sullivan St |
| 2010 | First non-NYC location — Blue Ribbon Brasserie, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas |
| 2015 | First California location — Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, The Grove, LA |
| 2018 | Blue Ribbon Sushi opens Palisades Village, LA |
| 2025 | 33+ years in operation; 30+ employees with 20+ year tenure |
| Feb 2026 | BRFC acquired by Wonder; Cosmopolitan and Brasserie LV locations close |
| 2026 | Post-wildfire reopening of Palisades Village; Ueki omakase coming end of summer |
Longevity Story
One of Blue Ribbon’s most press-worthy narratives — and consistently underused:
- Of the 15 employees at the 1992 opening, 12 remain key contributors and partners
- Another 30 employees have been with the group for 20+ years
- kris-polak has been with Blue Ribbon since opening day (1992) — 33+ years
- michael-paritsky has 40+ years restaurant experience, 30 with Eric Bromberg
- bowie-fu joined as a waiter in 1995; now Director of Operations, Sushi
This is exceptionally rare in the restaurant industry and a strong press angle for milestone coverage, anniversary pieces, and culture stories.
Brand Story Angles (Underused)
- “Blue Ribbon” = literal English translation of “Le Cordon Bleu” — the school where Eric and Bruce trained. The name is an origin story hiding in plain sight.
- Toshi Ueki — a Japanese master who spent 50 years in New York; the partnership that built the sushi division is one of the great collaboration stories in NYC dining. See ueki.
- Post-wildfire reopening — Palisades Village rebuild has strong community narrative potential.
- Brooklyn Bowl partnership — Rolling Stone’s “one of the most incredible places on Earth”; Blue Ribbon has been the food partner since day one (2009).
Media Relationships
- The Infatuation — 5+ NYC location reviews on record; strong ongoing relationship
- Food & Wine — multiple fried chicken awards
- Eater LA — covered Grove opening, Palisades Village, wildfire recovery
- Michelin Guide — editorial feature on bone marrow dish
Stub: Full press clip archive, specific Infatuation reviews, and PR campaign history to be added.