Jason Alley

Comfort, 200 W. Broad St., 780-0004, comfortrestaurant.com
Pasture, 416 E. Grace St., 780-0416, pasturerva.com

Second Place: Lee Gregory, the Roosevelt

Third Place: Joe Sparatta, Heritage

Jason Alley is the chef who's been bringing destination restaurants to neighborhoods no one else would touch. Other restaurateurs — and Richmond's dedicated diners — have eagerly followed his lead. Alley has been successful at bridging the world of promotion while backing it up with solid cuisine. He's also worked to promote the entire local dining community, not just his own joints. Nipping at his heels in terms of national attention is the Roosevelt's Lee Gregory, who's participated in food events in Charleston, S.C., Atlanta and New York in the past year, helping spread the gospel of Richmond restaurants in his low-key way. Proving that Richmond can embrace not only a newcomer but also a Northerner when he's this talented in the kitchen, readers vote Heritage's Joe Sparatta into the holy trinity of who they want cooking for them.