With an “old Hollywood” theme, boas and restaurant bigwigs took over the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Sunday evening for the 2007 RAMMY Awards.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington honored some of the area’s best dining experiences as well as the chefs, employees, and others who have helped make our area such a vibrant dining scene.
Though several of the awards weren’t surprises, a few were eagerly awaited by the crowd. Rising Culinary Star of the Year was probably the most anticipated. That award went to Nathan Beauchamp of Georgetown’s 1789 Restaurant. DC’s Rasika, which has put itself on the spot with cutting-edge Indian dishes, took home New Restaurant of the Year. Cathal Armstrong won Chef of the Year for his work at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria.
After the awards, folks took to the dance floor and dessert bar, dancing and nibbling well into the night. And apparently they wanted memories of the evening—we saw plenty of people walking out with floral centerpieces cradled in their arms, boas and shirt tails trailing behind them.
Read below for the full list of winners:
Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar
Hottest Bar Scene: Zaytinya
Power Spot: Georgia Brown’s
People’s Favorite: Lebanese Taverna
New Restaurant: Rasika
Fine-Dining Restaurant: CityZen
Informal-Dining Restaurant: Tallula Restaurant
Chef: Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve
Restaurant Employee: David Voorhees, waiter, 2941 Restaurant
Pastry Chef: Huw Griffiths, Tabard Inn
Wine and Beverage Program: Restaurant Eve
Restaurant Manager: Ellen Kassoff Gray, Equinox
Rising Culinary Star: Nathan Beauchamp, 1789
