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
