One of the most important groups in America is telling us what we’ve known for years: The West Loop has some of the greatest restaurants in the county.

The nominations are out for James Beard Foundation’s annual awards, and once again, the patch of culinary Valhalla centered around Randolph Street has pulled in some major kudos.

Celebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s Girl and the Goat has pulled in a nod for the best new restaurant in America — something Chicago Journal has been on board with for a while. Long in the making, Izard’s culinary wizardry wowed us last fall when we devoted a Metropolis article to the place.

Further down Randolph, two chefs from Blackbird have earned nods as best in the biz. Within a stone’s throw of the street, Publican has earned a nod for outstanding restaurant graphics (thought you can’t eat their customized napkins, unfortunately).

This fuss probably won’t make it any harder to get a reservation at any of the joints, but you never know, with warm-weather tourist season fast approaching. Get to a table while you can, and tell ’em CJ sent you.