Photos From the 2016 AT&T Best of Washington Party

Partygoers enjoyed an evening of delicious bites and libations from more than 80 of Washingtonian's top-rated restaurants.

Written by Sarah Lindner | Published on July 1, 2016

Photos From the 2016 AT&T Best of Washington Party

Washingtonian’s annually sold-out AT&T Best of Washington party took place at the National Building Museum on June 9. More than 2,000 guests and restaurateurs gathered for an evening of delicious bites and refreshing libations at the event, which featured more than 80 of Washingtonian’s top-rated restaurants and benefitted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

A special thanks to our sponsors: AT&T, BMW, American Beverage Association, PenFed Credit Union, Geico, The Home Depot, Diageo, Stella Artois, National Building Museum, and 94.7.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without our wonderful partners: Adora Creative, American AV, Art Soiree, Booth-o-Rama Photobooths, Capitol Chocolate Fountains, East Coast Graffiti Walls, Edge Floral Event Designers, Elan Artists’ Nation Band, Frost Lighting Company, MJ Valet, Occasions Catering, Revolution Event Design & Production, RJ Whyte Event Production, Sperry Tents, and Virginia Photobooths and More.

Photo by Joy Asico. — More than 2000 guests attended the AT&T Best of Washington event at the National Building Museum. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-156 copy — Guests posed at the Geico photo station. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Occasions Catering provided delicious light bites for guests at the Publisher’s Party. Photo by Ben Droz.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Amanda Bauer, Ginny Reed, Marla Evangelista, Shauna Dispasquale and Megan Gorenflo had fun trying the Sparkle Bar at the Publisher’s Party. Photo by Ben Droz.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Lorenzo Bared and Katharine Ragsdale. Photo by Ben Droz.

Photo by Joy Asico. — Guests tried on virtual reality glasses in the AT&T lounge. Photo by Joy Asico.

Photo by Dan Swartz. — Revolution Event Design and Production created this multi-color ceiling treatment to go along with the evening’s colorful theme. Photo by Dan Swartz.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Sushma Shenoy, Karen Ghoorah, Chuck Ghoorah, and Sudhakar Shenoy. Photo by Ben Droz.

Photo by Joy Asico. — Delicious bites at AT&T’s Best of Washington. Photo by Joy Asico.

Photo by Evy Mages. — Guests took photos in Geico’s photo station with fun props. Photo by Evy Mages

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Christos Marafatsos, Dr. Despina Markogiannakis, Tommy McFly, and Chrys Kefalus. Photo by Ben Droz.

Photo by Joy Asico. — Glen Hodge sitting in a sleek BMW i8 at the event. Photo by Joy Asico.

Photo by Jai Williams. — Chilled potato leek soup from Bistro Bis. Photo by Jai Williams.

EvyMages_MG_2886 copy — Amber and Angela Austin. Photo by Evy Mages

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Ruben Gallego, Heather Podesta, and Brendan Boyle. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-107 copy — Some of DC’s best chefs came out to celebrate with Washingtonian. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — The Home Depot’s Kent Knutson with Cathy Merrill Williams. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-59 copy — Sylvia Cho with Kogiya serving Bulgogi Bibim-Gooksu. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-129 copy — Guests enjoyed refreshing cocktails at the AT&T Best of Washington party. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-142 copy — Mirna and Jacob Newman. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-9 copy — BMW brought their newest i8 model to Best of Washington for guests to see. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Jim Dinegar, Nicole Quiroga, Jack Klane, and David Cummins. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-106 copy — Jen Fendt, Kate Slonaker, Charlotte Taylor, Ashley Elstro, and Michelle Ross. Photo by Joy Asico.

JaiWilliams_Jaleo copy — Ensaladilla Rusa served by Jaleo. Photo by Jai Williams.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — ABA’s Susan Neely and Franklin Davis with Brendan Boyle. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-5 copy — Matchbox served spicy tuna with avocado puree and sriracha aioli. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-93 copy — Guests have fun in the AT&T photo booth by Booth-o-Rama. Photo by Joy Asico.

JeffElkins_IMG_1921 copy — Guests enjoyed vodka from the Ketel One bar. Photo by Jeff Elkins

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Katie Kirby and Renee Diodonet. Photo by Ben Droz.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Evelyn Farkas, Carol Melton, and Karen Knutson. Photo by Ben Droz.

EvyMages_IMG_2951 copy — Guests posed for a selfie with celebrity chef Mike Isabella in the BMW lounge. Photo by Evy Mages

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-139 copy — Guests were amazed by the American Beverage Association’s interactive graffiti wall. Photo by Joy Asico.

JaiWilliams_Georgetown Cupcake copy — Georgetown Cupcake provided a beautiful assortment of mini cupcakes to go along with the event’s colorful theme. Photo by Jai Williams.

JeffElkins_IMG_1297 copy — Jean Nolte and Mike Isabella. Photo by Jeff Elkins

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-127 copy — Yong Choi, Kaoru Chikushi, Yuko Seki, and Norry Hoshikawa. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Susan Neely of the American Beverage Association, co-host of the private publisher’s reception. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-152 copy — More than 2,000 guests attended the 2016 AT&T Best of Washington party. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Cathy Merrill Williams with AT&T’s Scott Stover and Melissa Parks. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-4 copy — Spicy tuna with avocado puree and sriracha aioli by Matchbox. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-185 copy — Sherri Dalphonse, Kate Bennett, Caroline Cunningham, and Sarah Zlotnick. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Joe and Lindley Richardson. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-155 copy — Shinola’s Tom Forest and MokiMedia’s Dannia Hakki. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-68 copy — Double whipped cream cheese and strawberry preserves on a bagel from Bullfrog Bagels. Photo by Joy Asico.

JeffElkins_IMG_1607 copy — BMW’s Matt Catizone and Morgan Greenlaw. Photo by Jeff Elkins

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Kelly and Rebecca McFarland. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-210 copy — A beautiful view of the colorful ceiling treatment, created by Revolution Event Design and Production, and dramatic lighting by Frost Lighting. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-132 copy — Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj. Photo by Joy Asico.

EvyMages_MG_2897 copy — Elsie Whitman, Brandon Ebeling, and Ashley Ebeling. Photo by Evy Mages

JeffElkins_IMG_1329 copy — Guests enjoyed an orange and white candy bar at the Home Depot candy station. Photo by Jeff Elkins

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Timothy Lowery, Michael Zingali, and Joseph Ireland. Photo by Ben Droz.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Katherine Ragsdale, Rebecca McFarland, and Susan Farkas. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-184 copy — Jonathan Tuteur, Julia Tuteur, Maryam Nazemzadeh, and Michael Tuteur. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Guests enjoyed delicious waffles by Occasions Catering at the Publisher’s Party. Photo by Ben Droz.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Julie Orsini and Andrew Kovalcin. Photo by Ben Droz.

EvyMages_MG_2923 copy — Marla Evangelista, Megan Gorenflo, Ginny Reed, Amanda Bauer, and Shauna Dispasquale. Photo by Evy Mages

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Zubiar Rana, Tammy Darvish, and James Schenck. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-117 copy — Attendees imagined themselves driving this sleek BMW i8 at the event. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-123 copy — Nick Cezar, Chef Katsuya, and Chef Christian of Daikaya and Bantam King. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Roberto Hernandez, Stacey Ross, Shannon Morris, Regina Minor, and Rodger Pulley. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-143 copy — Revolution Event Design and Production built a beautiful black and white bar complete with girls on swings. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-197 copy — Alicia Russell, Morgan Russell, and Janice Leary. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Jackie Bradford, Evelyn Farkas, and friends. Photo by Ben Droz.

EvyMages__MG_2862 copy — Kim Cayce and Emory Linder. Photo by Evy Mages

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-165 copy — Diego Gonzalez, Morgan Fykes, and David Sweeney. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Paul Williams, Kate Rumbaugh, and Cathy Merrill Williams. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-204 copy — Girls sat in swings over the fountain at the National Building Museum. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-20 copy — Alyssa Hotz, Stephen “Carne” Brock, George Pagonis, Mike Isabella, Sebastian Rivera, Walter Elias, and Tom Viola of Graffiato and Kapnos. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-61 copy — Bulgogi Bibim-Gooksu from Kogiya. Photo by Joy Asico.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-193 copy — Dominique Ledyard, Kaki Kleisch, Elizabeth Williams, Jennifer Orr, Libby Krueger, Catherine Douglas, Katie Moran, Claire Herzog, Elizabeth Dalrymple, and Kate Pflager. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Dr. Bill Hughes and Ann Compton. Photo by Ben Droz.

JeffElkins_IMG_1466 copy — Guests visited the wine bar at Best of Washington, provided by PenFed. Photo by Jeff Elkins

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Scott Schmelzer and Samantha Newman. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-164 copy — Kristen Mercuro, Kevin Rafferty, Mark Sweeney, Jackie Yip, and Tammy Zeng. Photo by Joy Asico.

JeffElkins_IMG_1113 copy — Diageo provided liquor and Anheuser-Busch provided beer for guests to enjoy. Photo by Jeff Elkins

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Robert Petris and Scott Sapperstein. Photo by Ben Droz.

EvyMages_IMG_3409 copy — Guests pose in PenFed’s flipbook photo station. Photo by Evy Mages

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Fresh 94.7 FM’s Tommy McFly and Kelly Collis. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-168 copy — Nation Band by Elan Artists entertained guests all evening with great music. Photo by Joy Asico.

Washingtonian Magazine, Best of DC Party, VIP Publisher's Reception, National Building Museum, photo by Ben Droz. — Josh Miller, Julia Stein, Erin Shellenberger, and Pat Slagle. Photo by Ben Droz.

JoyAsico_BestOf2016-217 copy — Swing models had the best view of the AT&T Best of Washington party. Photo by Joy Asico.