DC’s biggest restaurant industry awards, the RAMMYs, are back with a few noteworthy changes this year. At last, there is an honor for “best bar” in addition to existing recognitions for best cocktail, wine, and beer programs. And now, bakers have been added to a category that was previously just for pastry chefs.
An anonymous panel of food and media professionals decides the nominees and winners in the majority of categories. But the public votes in five categories, including best brunch, hottest sandwich shop, and now, best bar. One pandemic-era change that’s stuck around: Restaurants that aren’t dues-paying members of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington are eligible for these publicly voted categories—a move that’s helped make the awards a little more diverse and reflective of the dining scene. Voting, conducted via NBC Washington, begins April 11 and ends May 31.
The final winners will be announced at the 41st Annual RAMMY Awards gala on Sunday, July 9, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Here’s the full list of finalists (*denotes a publicly voted category)
New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and hospitality. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.
Bar Ivy
Causa/Amazonia
Nama Ko
Opal
Rania
Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service, and value in a casual environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Bammy’s
Destino
Maketto
Pennyroyal Station
Tonari
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service in an upscale casual environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Anju
Dauphine’s
L’Ardente
Moon Rabbit
Rooster and Owl
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in food, service and atmosphere and shows dedication to sophisticated culinary techniques in a fine dining environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Blue Rock
Jônt
Oyster Oyster
The Dabney
Xiquet by Danny Lledó
Service Program of the Year: This nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in service across the restaurant – from the reservation process, to the host station, to every element of the dining experience. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Chef Geoff’s
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Lutèce
Reveler’s Hour
Unconventional Diner
Chef of the Year: The nominee is an executive chef or chef de cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of culinary excellence. The nominee displays a dedication to the artistry of food and may be from any type of establishment. The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Matt Adler, Caruso’s Grocery
Matt Conroy, Lutèce
Ryan Ratino, Bresca, Jônt
Jon Sybert, Tail Up Goat, Reveler’s Hour
Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: The nominee is an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Marcelle Afram, Shababi Palestinian Rotisserie Chicken
Masako Morishita, Perry’s
Kat Petonito, The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells
Jessica and Alfredo Solis, Anafre, Mariscos 1133, Mezcalero
Elias Taddesse, Mélange, Doro Soul Food
Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant pastry chef or baker who prepares desserts, baked goods, or breads and demonstrates a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. The nominee serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee must have been a pastry chef or baker for the past three years with a minimum of one year based in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Rochelle Cooper, The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells
Sam Cooper, Bread Alley, Le Diplomate, St. Anselm
Bridie McCulla, Liberty Restaurant Group
Mary Mendoza, Bantam King, Hole in the Wall, Tonari
Teresa Velasquez, Baked and Wired, A Baked Joint
Restaurateur of the Year: The nominee must be a working restaurateur or restaurant group who sets high standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of 5 years in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.
Kyle Bailey, Jon Ball, Jeremy Carman, Gavin Coleman, and Paul Holder, Long Shot Hospitality
Greg Casten and Tony Cibel, Fish and Fire Food Group
Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira, Timber Pizza, Call Your Mother, Turu’s, Mercy Me
Zubair, Omar, Fatima, and Shamim Popal, The Popal Group
Rose Previte, Compass Rose, Maydan, Kirby Club
Employee of the Year: The nominee is a non-managerial front or back of the house employee who serves as a model employee by displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Kodjo “Olivier” Etenda, The Popal Group
Crescencio Martinez, All Purpose Shaw
Nabil Moussa, Le Diplomate
Guillermo Mendoza, The Red Hen
Veronica Rodriguez, Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood
Manager of the Year: The nominee is a non-owner manager or general manager in the food service industry who displays the highest level of professionalism and leadership. This person must be an inspiration and mentor to all his/her co-workers displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Brittany Dye, Circa Foggy Bottom
Christine Kim, Service Bar
Snjezana Jaksic, Ambar Clarendon
Javier Perez, Jaleo
Cesare Sanchez, Maiz64
Cocktail Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its craft cocktail program, evaluated separately from its beer, wine or other beverages. Nominees may be bars, restaurants, or any foodservice establishment with an exemplary cocktail program. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Jane Jane
Salt
Service Bar
Silver Lyan
The Green Zone
Beer Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its beer program. Brewery restaurants and brewpubs are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their craft beer. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Boundary Stone
Lost and Found
The Midlands Beer Garden
Shelter
Solace
Wine Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program. The nominee’s wine program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the dining experience. Wine bars are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their offerings. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Era Wine Bar
Lulu’s Wine Garden
Primrose
Reveler’s Hour
St. Anselm
*Best Bar: The nominee is an establishment whose primary focus is beverages in a casual or upscale environment, with or without food. Patrons are there for the drinks, the atmosphere, decor, and the hospitality. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Exiles
Ivy and Coney
McClellan’s Retreat
Metrobar
Tap99
*Favorite Gathering Place: This nominee is a restaurant rooted in its neighborhood where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends over and over again. The great atmosphere – indoors or outdoors – and good vibes are as important as the food and drink. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Chef Geoff’s
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
Moby Dick House of Kabob
Ruthie’s All Day
Tiki on 18th/The Game Sports Pub
*Best Brunch: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in a formal, upscale, or casual environment. Brunch may be offered as full-service, buffet, or prix fixe. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2022.
Circa
Founding Farmers
Maiz64
Seasons at Four Seasons
Urban Roast
*Favorite Fast Bites: This nominee is a delicatessen, quick-serve restaurant, bakery, mobile food vendor, or coffee shop (with food menu) that demonstrates a dedication to good food and good service in a fast-casual environment. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2022.
Chef Skip 202
Rasa
Roaming Rooster
Spice Kitchen West African Grill
Stellina Pizzeria
*Hottest Sandwich Spot: This nominee is a casual restaurant, quick-serve, or mobile food vendor with a menu dedicated to creative and delicious sandwiches that demonstrate excellence and skill. The nominee must have operated a minimum of six months between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
Compliments Only
Fight Club
FishScale
Grazie Grazie
Soko Butcher
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: The award is presented to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW. This award recipient is determined by the Executive Committee of RAMW.
Ecolab
Harmony Group
Keany Produce and Gourmet
MarginEdge
Saval Foodservice
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
