On Monday the James Beard Foundation announced that Highlands Bar and Grill is one of five finalists for the 2012 award for the nation’s most outstanding restaurant. It is the fourth year chef Frank Stitt’s flagship Southside restaurant has been a finalist for the award. Hot and Hot Fish Club chef and owner Chris Hastings is a finalist for best chef in the southern region. Hastings has been a finalist four times in the last five years. The James Beard Foundation will announce winners the first week of May.