A Brookings restaurant has received an award from a prestigious culinary organization.
Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge received one of six “America’s Classics” awards from the James Beard Foundation.
A press release from the organization released Wednesday said the award is given to locally owned restaurants that "serve quality food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities."
The Pheasant won the award in the Midwest division. More than 100 restaurants across the country have received the award since it was introduced in 1998.
The James Beard Foundation noted the Pheasant has been family owned for three generations. Georgiana and Ronald Olson bought the Pheasant in 1966. It’s now run by their grandson, Michael Johnson.
"The menu is full of iconic mid-century dishes of the upper Midwest, like hot roast beef on homemade white bread with mashed potatoes and gravy; Nordic waffles (vafler) made with cardamom and folded around smoked salmon or gjetost; classics, like chef salad, spätzle, and liver and onions; and riffs on comfort food like duck wings, bison steak au poivre, and a lamb burger with local jalapeño jelly and peanut butter," the press release said.
The restaurant also received praise for locally sourcing its food, including its chislic.