Photos From the 2019 Best of Washington, Presented by Lexus

Featuring over 70 restaurants and over 2,000 guests, the annual party supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Written by Sherene Joseph | Published on June 12, 2019

General Dan HSC_3438a-2 - Washingtonian

Washingtonian‘s twelfth annual Best of Washington, presented by Lexus took place on Thursday, June 6th at the National Building Museum. Over 2,000 guests enjoyed small bites and drinks from over 70 of the area’s best restaurants, and many hailed from Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list. The sold out event benefitted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, who raised nearly $7,000 with the on-site silent auction alone.

To hear from our food editors on their favorites from the night, visit their review here.

A special thanks to our sponsors for supporting our work:
American Beverage Association, Dyson, GEICO, Ketel One, Lexus, PenFed Credit Union, Stella Artois, United Airlines and 90+ Cellars.

Thank you to our partners who help make this event possible:
All About Balloons, American AV, Atmosphere Lighting, Booth-o-Rama Photobooths, Exquisite Floral Events, Mixing Maryland DJs, MJ Valet, National Building Museum, Occasions Caterers, Plants Alive!, RJ Whyte Event Production, and Syzygy Event Production.

Photos by Daniel Swartz/Revamp, Jeff Elkins, Joy Asico, and Love Life Images.

General Joy BOW2019-5131 - Washingtonian — The entrance to the National Building Museum was transformed with decor by Syzygy Event Production, Atmosphere Lighting and Plants Alive!.

General Joy BOW2019-5214 - Washingtonian — Mermaid Viktoria greeted guests throughout the entrance as they made their way into the National Building Museum.

People Dan DSC_9401a - Washingtonian — Katherine Lugar and Cathy Merrill Williams

General LLL FoodAKB_2468 - Washingtonian — Co-executive chef Chris Morgan of Compass Rose prepared a crab and poached shrimp salad.

People Dan DSC_9382a - Washingtonian — Garry Whipkey and Chad Deutsch

Sponsor United Joy BOW2019-5537 - Washingtonian — Guests had the chance to experience United’s Premium Plus seats in the United Lounge.

General LLL _53A0212 - Washingtonian — Over 70 restaurants provided tasty bites and samples of beverages to the nearly 2,000 guests throughout the evening.

People Joy BOW2019-5407 - Washingtonian — Christina Pride, Yvette Vartanian, Despina Markogiannakis and Jamilette Vasquez

_47A8933 - Washingtonian — Lexus featured their new UX 250H at the event, the first crossover of its kind from the brand.

Sponsor Geico LLL _47A9316 - Washingtonian — The GEICO Gecko was on hand to take photos with guests in front of the custom balloon wall created by All About Balloons.

General LLL _53A0458 - Washingtonian — A portion of the proceeds from tickets sales and all sales from the on-site silent auction benefitted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

General LLL FoodABO_2860 - Washingtonian — Q by Peter Chang and Mama Chang teamed up to provide a lazy susan of comfort foods that guests could choose from.

People Jeff 19063_Best_Of__88A0296 - Washingtonian — Tiffany Hall and Tiffany Larkins

Sponsor Stella LLL _47A8993 - Washingtonian — Engravers were on-site to personalize Stella Artois chalices in the United Lounge.

People Joy BOW2019-5416 - Washingtonian — Michelle Fleagle, JeCoven Norwood and Olivia Civiletto

BOW2019-5371 - Washingtonian — The PenFed Lounge featured an “Under the Skea-Ball” game where high-scoring contestants could enter to win a raffle to a local restaurant.

General LLL _53A1046 - Washingtonian — DJ Sean from Mixing Maryland DJs provided a great soundtrack for the event that had people dancing by the end of the night.

General LLL FoodABO_3163 - Washingtonian — Keith Bombaugh of Mirabelle prepared fresh foie gras tacos.

Sponsor Dyson Joy BOW2019-5507 - Washingtonian — Guests were able to relax in the Dyson Lounge where they could get hand massages, a 10 minute hair styling session and enjoying Dyson’s line of air purifiers.

People Jeff 19063_Best_Of__88A0195 - Washingtonian — Barry and Beverly Redler

Sponsor LLL _Y2A8975 - Washingtonian — GEICO provided molecular ice cream for guests that was served in color changing cups.

Sponsor ABA Dan JGA_4023 - Washingtonian — The American Beverage Association was the official underwriter for the private President’s Reception.

People Joy BOW2019-5672 - Washingtonian — Jill Gonzalez, Samantha Beasore, Lina Gheyssari and Keely Dobbs

Sponsor Beverage LLL _53A0224 - Washingtonian — As the official beverage sponsors of the evening, Stella Artois, Breakthru Beverage and 90+ Cellars provided specialty cocktails, craft beers and a variety of wines.

General LLL FoodAKB_2684 - Washingtonian — For the second year in a row, the Daikaya Group presented a four-course tasting menu throughout the night.

BOW2019-5397 - Washingtonian — Complimentary ten minute hand massages were available all evening in the Dyson lounge.

People Dan DSC_9615a - Washingtonian — Michael Haft and Harrison Suarez

Sponsore Lexus LLL _47A9122 - Washingtonian — District Doughnuts provided an entire wall of doughnuts in the Lexus Lounge and a side table of mini doughnuts in their custom flavors.

People Jeff 19063_Best_Of__88A0450 - Washingtonian — Ashu Vashist and Maurey Ficklin

Sponsor PenFed LLL _Y2A9014 - Washingtonian — Snocream provided boba tea to guests in the PenFed Lounge.

People Joy BOW2019-5543 - Washingtonian — Andre Bastian and Cory Luckett

General LLL FoodAKB_2300 - Washingtonian — Many of the restaurants at the event were featured in the latest copy of Washingtonian magazine.

Sponsor ABA LLL _Y2A8957 - Washingtonian — American Beverage Association’s Innovation Bar featured over 50 bottled and canned beverages.

People Jeff 19063_Best_Of__88A0282 - Washingtonian — Jessica and Kenny Thompson

Sponsor Lexus LLL _47A9229 - Washingtonian — Lexus also brought their RX F Sport to the event, which was displayed at the front entrance of the National Building Museum.

Sponsor Lexus Joy BOW2019-5571 - Washingtonian — Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s sold out event a success!