The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) has unveiled the finalists for its 43rd annual RAMMY Awards, shining a spotlight on the vibrant dining scene in Alexandria and Arlington.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Sunday, August 3, hosted at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Among the prestigious categories, notable contenders for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year include El Cielo DC, Mita, Rooster & Owl, Pineapple and Pearls, and Kappo.
In the Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year category, diners can vote for Ometeo, King Street Oyster Bar, Tail Up Goat, Petite Cerise, and Amparo Fondita.
For those looking for Casual Restaurant options, 2Fifty Texas Barbecue, Stellina Pizzeria at several locations, Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar, and I Egg You. The Falls are in the running.
Fast casual dining takes center stage with Emma’s Torch, Yellow, La Tejana, and Love on the Run at Love Makoto, along with Andy’s Pizza which has 11 locations including Alexandria.
Excitement builds for the New Restaurant of the Year category, highlighting Ama, La’ Shukran, Kayu, Pascual, and San Pancho as fresh additions to the local dining landscape.
Wine enthusiasts may find interest in the Wine Program of the Year finalists: ERA Wine Bar, Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique from Arlington, Lulu’s Wine Bar, Little Black Bird, and Easy Wine Company.
Cocktail lovers can look forward to Amazonia, Jane Jane, Medina, Moon Rabbit, and Quadrant competing for Cocktail Program of the Year.
Meanwhile, local brews are celebrated in the Beer Program of the Year category where Atlas Brew Works (with locations in Alexandria, Ivy City, and Navy Yard), Pizzeria Paradiso, Red Bear Brewing Co., Tall Boy, and Astro Beer Hall (Shirlington/Arlington and Penn Quarter) vie for recognition.
For Service Program of the Year, Anju, MITA, Xiquet by Danny Lledó, El Cielo, and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab are nominated.
The prestigious title of Chef of the Year includes Carlos Delgado from Causa/Amazonia, Matt Adler from Caruso’s Grocery, Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss from Lutece and Pascual, Rubén García Castilla from Casa Teresa, and Mike Friedman from Red Hen.
Rising Culinary Star of the Year features talented candidates such as Suresh Sundas from Daru, Paolo Dungca from Hiraya, Sara Ravitz from Shilling Canning Co., Fernando Gonzales from 2Fifty Texas BBQ, and Miguel Guerra & Tatiana Mora from MITA.
The Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year category includes Alicia Wang from Yellow/Albi, Susan Bae from Moon Rabbit, Rachel Sherriffe (formerly at Ellie Bird), Carmelo Gil from Petite Cerise, and Rose Nguyen from Rose Ave Bakery.
Honoring leadership, the Restaurant Manager of the Year nominees are Lorena Reyes from Founding Farmers (including Alexandria and DC), Antonio Chavarria from Metropolitan Hospitality Group, Allison Williams from Pascual, Tony Strowd Hamilton from Pizzeria Paradiso, and Luke Lin from CUT by Wolfgang Puck.
Meanwhile, the Restaurant Employee of the Year category features dedicated individuals: Keiri Tobar Morales from RPM Italian, Luis Jara from All Set Restaurant and Bar, Juan Sanchez from Café du Parc and Willard’s Peacock Alley, Daniel Fuentes from Madhatter, and Kristen Wilson from Causa/Amazonia.
In the Restaurateur of the Year category, the finalists are Seng Luangrath of Baan Mae (which includes Padaek-Arlington), Cici Yang from Yume Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and Rimtang, Daniel Kramer from Duke’s Grocery, Stephen Starr from Starr Restaurant Group, and Tea Ivonovic from Immigrant Food.
Other categories include Favorite Gathering Place of the Year with nominees such as Chloe, Vagabond Bar and Kitchen, and The Dew Drop Inn, as well as Best Brunch of the Year featuring Sequoia, Vera Cocina & Bar, Josephine (Alexandria), J. Hollingers Waterman’s Chophouse, and Le Diplomate.
The award for Best Bar of the Year sees competition among The Green Zone, Metro Bar, Service Bar, Tune Inn Restaurant and Bar, and Royal Sands Social Club.
Finally, the Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year category includes contenders Your Only Friend, Queen Mother’s, Soko Butcher, Jetties, and Ampersandwich at Shilling Canning Co.
As anticipation builds for the RAMMY Awards ceremony, the local dining community eagerly awaits the recognition and celebration of exemplary establishments and talents.
image source from：thezebra
