The 2008 Fearless Fork awards were announced earlier this month by the Fork Awards Tribunal (FAT), at an awards selection meeting held at a remote, undisclosed location near Alameda Point.

The site's identity was kept a tight secret for security and safety reasons, due to the event's reputation for overindulgences, tomfoolery and genuine unseemliness.

According to happy FAT officials, this year's awards set a precedent with 166 forks selected. Officials also announced that the event was relatively peaceful, unlike last year's tumultuous meeting where unruly burger advocates separated into factions, some supporting Bip's Broiler and others the Alameda Grill, then staged violent clashes, with one senior combatant losing her dentures, and another spilling his glass of Rosenblum.

In contrast, this year's event was marred by only a single incident, when a rowdy group of one taqueria's supporters got into a loud shouting match with two boisterous members of another local taqueria's "carne asada cult."

There were also some solemn moments, when the entire assemblage stood in tearful silence to memorialize some of this year's departed eateries: Araujo's, Kucina, Season To Taste, The Bamboo Kitchen, The Dog Out, Central Doughnuts and The Ice Cream Dock.

Loud huzzahs of joy then rang out for some of this year's better culinary arrivals and revivals: Alameda Wine Co., Barceluna, Alameda Taqueria, Havana, Acquacotta, Everett and Jones at three locations, Mint Leaf, Baci-Ariana Café, Wing Stop, Burgermeister, Albert's Café and Zeytini.

FAT also announced the inclusion this year of the "Nirvana Fork" award, which indicates an offering that is truly outstanding.

Here, then, in no particular order, are the 2008 winners.

Fearless Fork Awards

Paella Asena

Mojito Havana

Cheese Sandwich Bip's Broiler

Potato Pancake Speisekammer

Bean Dip The Acapulco

Patty Melt Pier 29

Calamari Fritti Barceluna

Vodka Press McGrath's

Polenta Aroma

Cubano Sandwich The Hobnob

Thai Chicken Salad Toomie's

Fried Quesadilla Taqueria Ramiro

California Roll Kamakura

Rib-eye and Cheese Barceluna

Street Tacos El Caballo Wraps

Roast Beef Sandwich Why Cook

Margarita La Piñata #3

Sliders The Hobnob

Cookies Mona's Table

Duck Strudel Angela's

Hot Wings Wingstop

Tuna Luna Barceluna

Fiesta Tostada The Acapulco

Turkey Sandwich Sandwich Board

Gourmet Burger Pappo

Frozen Pizza Viccolo @ Marketplace

Grilled Tri-Tip Joe Scalise and Sons

Appetizers al Fresco Aroma

Spinach Salad A tie: Why Cook? Trader Joe's

View Pasta Pelican

Italian Sandwich Bachi-Ariana Café

Negrito Barceluna

Bouncing Beef Dragon Rouge

Gravy Fries L & L Hawaiian Barbecue

Dim Sum East Ocean

Wienershnitzel Speisekammer

BBQ Baby Backs Everett and Jones

Barolo Du Vin Fine Wines

Chicken Sandwich Mona's Table

Bento Box Kai's

Denver Omelette Jim's Coffee Shop

Chili Fries Bip's Broiler

Rainbow Roll Kamakura

Swedish Pancakes Marti's Place

Chicken Katsu Hawaiian Drive Inn

Quiche Mona'sTable

Lamb Salad Asena

Bombay-Tonic The Lemon Tree

Lamb Shanks Gold Coast Grill

Hash Browns Ole's Waffle Shop

Kid-Friendly Place Tomatina

Hippie Burrito Albert's Café

Blinis Marti's Place

Chicken Mole The Acapulco

Pizza Margharita Barceluna

Veal Champagne Gold Coast Grill

Bruschetta Trader Joe's

Mashed Potatoes Speisekammer

Wine Tasting Alameda Wine Co.

Chicken Burrito Taqueria Ramiro

Curly Fries Burgermeister

Lettuce Wraps Ching Hua

Chicken-Tortilla Soup El Caballo Wraps

Food Delivery Meals On Wheels

Tartar Sauce E. Waldo's at JP Seafood Co.

Coffee Crosstown CoffeeHouse

Cowboy Steak Baron's Meats & Poultry

Scallops Havana

Holiday Buffets Pier 29

Sushi Sushi House

Spring Rolls Mint Leaf

Afritada Sampaguita International Cuisine

Pork Loin Sandwich Mona's Table

Chicken Tikka India Palace

Guacamole/Chips The Acapulco

Chicken Pot Pie Trader Joe's

Bar Snacks Alameda Wine Co.

Volcano Forbidden Island

Mustard-Oil Sauce C'era Una Volta

Martini Z's

Beet Salad Speisekammer

Italian Roast Chicken Acquacotta

Hangar Steak Pappo

Greek Sampler Gold Coast Grill

Wedding Cakes Boniere Bakery

Cheese-Jalapeño Bread Harbor Bay Safeway

Carnitas Platter Otaez

Spaghetti Sauce Genova's at Encinal Market

Doughnuts Lee's Doughnuts

Chow Mein Hong Kong City

Cream Pies Nation's

Shrimp Tacos La Piñata #3

Turkey Ravioli Genova's at Encinal Market

Greek Wines Du Vin Fine Wines

German Beer Speisekammer

Caesar Salad Angela's

Wine List Asena

Kahlua Pork L & L Hawaiian BBQ

God Shave The Queen McGrath's

Rice and Beans The Acapulco

Chinese Delivery Ching Hua

Burrito Mojado Alameda Taqueria

Edamame Zen Sushi

Teriyaki Kamakura

Menudo Otaez

Chicken-fried Steak Albert's Café

Sashimi Angelfish

Fried Rice East Ocean

Cosmopolitan Z's

Steamers Gold Coast Grill

Maki Kai's

Breakfast Sandwich Bip's Broiler

Bubble Tea Quickly

Dining Room Pier 29

Sake Kamakura

Carne asada Alameda Taqueria

Malts Bip's Broiler

Mussolini McGee's

Champagne Bar Alameda Wine Co.

Fries Speisekammer

Pulled Pork Sandwich Mona's Table

Boilermaker Pop Inn

Gelato Fudgelato

Fancy Chocolates Gaslight Emporium

Fried Whole Fish La Piñata #3

Rack of Lamb Gold Coast Grill

Ham and Eggs Jim's Coffee Shop

Pad Thai Toomie's

Breakfast Burrito Albert's Café

Ceviche Calafia Taqueria

Tonkatsu Kai's

Corned Beef/Cabbage Ole's Waffle Shop

Olive Oils Du Vin Fine Wines

Burmese Cuisine Burma Superstar

Bleu Cheese Burger Bip's Broiler

Italian Sausage Nicosio's at Dan's Produce

Pork Tamale The Acapulco

Adobo Sampaguita International Cuisine

Potato Salad Bachi-Ariana Café

Enchilada Otaez

Prawns/ Bean Sauce Ching Hua

Pasta Primavera Zeytini

Bloody Mary The Hobnob

Crab Cones Dragon Rouge

Caesar Salad Angela's

Corned Beef Sandwich Mona's Table

PBR Tall McGrath's

Trout Mousse JP Seafood Co.

Nachos La Piñata #3

Stuffed Pork Chop Joe Scalise & Sons

Pate/Rillettes Alameda Wine Co.

Catering Aroma

Lychee Mojito Dragon Rouge

Lo Mein Hong Kong City

Mama Rose Burrito The Acapulco

Falafel Café Central

Vodka Hangar One

Linguini and Clams Gold Coast Grill

Early-Bird Menu Pier 29

Meat Pies The New Zealander

Joe's Special Jim's Coffee Shop

Italian Wines Acquacotta

Panini Bachi-Ariana's Café

Nirvana Awards

(in no particular order)

Chile Relleno Nirvana The Acapulco

Wine Nirvana Alameda Wine Co.

Beer Nirvana Encinal Market

Ice Cream Nirvana Tucker's

Produce Nirvana Dan's Produce

Kobe Beef Nirvana Baron's Meats and Poultry

Cheese Plate Nirvana Alameda Wine Co.

Sausage Nirvana Baron's Meats and Poultry

Duck Nirvana Pappo

Cheese Nirvana Farmstead Cheeses & Wines

Seafood Nirvana JP Seafood Co.

Bread Nirvana Feel Good Bakery

Tequila Nirvana La Piñata #3

Missed? Dissed? Pissed? Harangue Gil Michaels at