Rammy Nominations 2014 are Out!

all photos: Franz Mahr

Looking for places to eat? Well, The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington just announced their RAMMY nominations for 2014 (and of course, celebrated them with a reception at The Hamilton featuring snacks and cocktails from nominated restaurants) so- the list below may be a good starting point. The big difference this year is a few new categories this season (most notably the Beer Programs have FINALLY been separated from the Beverage/Mixology category, meaning that DC will now officially celebrate wine, cocktails AND beer, as it should), including 2 publicly voted brunch categories (a smart move, because God only knows you guys love Brunch).

FYI-Award winners will be announced at a gala event June 22nd. Think of it as the Oscars of the DC food world, but with more drinks and often, a lot of tiny hats

(bonus: check out photos and last year’s winners HERE)

In the meantime: here is where to eat NOW:

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year:

• Fiola
• Marcel’s
• Minibar
• The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
• Trummer’s on Main

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year:

• Et Voila!
• Maple Ave Restaurant
• Oyamel
• Proof
• Ripple

Everyday Casual Restaurant of the Year:

• Graffiato
• Hank’s Oyster Bar – Dupont
• Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
• Pizzeria Orso
• Toki Underground

New Restaurant of the Year:

• Del Campo
• Doi Moi
• Le Diplomate
• The Red Hen
• Table

Chef of the Year:

• Victor Albisu – Del Campo
• Cathal Armstrong – Eat Good Food Group
• Haidar Karoum – Doi Moi, Estadio, Proof
• Tarver King – The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
• Cedric Maupillier – Mintwood Place

Rising Culinary Star of the Year:

• Eric Bruner-Yang, Toki Underground
• Michael Friedman, The Red Hen
• Tim Ma, Maple Ave Restaurant/Water & Wall
• Marjorie Meek-Bradley, Ripple
• Johnny Spero, Minibar

Pastry Chef of the Year:

• Caitlin Dysart, 2941 Restaurant
• Naomi Gallego, Blue Duck Tavern
• Jason Gehring – MENU / MBK, Table
• Santosh Tiptur, Co Co. Sala
• Tom Wellings, Fiola

Wine Program of the Year:

• 2941 Restaurant
• The Curious Grape
• Estadio
• Restaurant Eve
• Ripple

Cocktail Program of the Year***:

• Black Jack
• Bourbon Steak
• The Gibson
• Hanks Oyster Bar – Capitol Hill
• Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Beer Program of the Year***:

• Birch and Barley / ChurchKey
• Brasserie Beck
• Granville Moore’s
• Lyon Hall
• Mad Fox Brewing Company

Service Program of the Year***

• BLT Steak
• Blue Duck Tavern
• The Bombay Club
• Marcel’s
• Rasika

Restaurateur of the Year:

• José Andrés and Rob Wilder – ThinkFoodGroup
• Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong – Eat Good Food Group
• Michael Babin – Neighborhood Restaurant Group
• Gus DiMillo, David Wizenberg, Jeff Tunks – Passion Food Hospitality
• Mark Kuller – Doi Moi, Estadio, Proof

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year***:

• DC Brau Brewing Company
• Port City Brewing Company
• Rappahannock Oyster Co.
• Red Apron Butcher

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year:

• Bar Pilar
• Bistrot Du Coin
• Cashion’s Eat Place
• Hank’s Oyster Bar – Dupont
• Tune Inn

Upscale Brunch***:

• Art and Soul
• Blue Duck Tavern
• Mintwood Place
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Vermilion

Everyday Casual Brunch***:

• DGS Delicatessen
• Et Voila!
• Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
• Pizzeria Orso
• Ted’s Bulletin – Barracks Row

Favorite Fast Bites***:

• Amsterdam Falafelshop
• Bayou Bakery
• Buzz Bakery
• Red Apron Butcher
• Woodward TakeOut Food