Go Home Already: Shouts and Murmurs
Man Stops Traffic at 17th and K to Demand $200 Million
Compromise Uncertain on Same-Sex Marriage Law
Morning Roundup: Second Helpings Edition
Fire at 17th and L NW Forces Evacuations
Despite the stuffy weather, more than 1600 curious guests gathered at the 26th annual RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala yesterday to honor the cream of this year's culinary crop. Those who braved the weather were treated to the best of D.C.'s fine dining, all exemplifying the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's commitment towards using regional and locally sourced ingredients, while still showcasing the city as a global dining destination.
But despite the glitz, glamor and grub, let's get to the true stars of the night: the winners.
Last month's James Beard Award winners Eric Ziebold and Central Michel Richard continued their success by taking the RAMMYs for Chef of the Year and Hottest Bar Scene of the Year, respectively. The Source by Wolfgang Puck earned New Restaurant of the Year, while Equinox and Poste earned awards for best Fine Dining and Upscale Dining. Notably, on the heels of recent talent shuffling, Hook's Barton Seaver won Rising Culinary Star of the Year and Heather Chittum won Pastry Chef of the Year.
As for the public voting categories, Hank's Oyster Bar, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, and The Monocle on Capitol Hill all won RAMMYs.
A full list of winners is available after the jump. Congratulations to everyone; we're sure their respective dining rooms will be a bit more booked for the next few months ahead.
Photo by freakgirl
New Restaurant of the Year:
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year:
Equinox
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year:
Poste Moderne Brasserie
Chef of the Year:
Eric Ziebold, CityZen
Pastry Chef of the Year:
Heather Chittum, Hook
Wine & Beverage Program of the Year:
Passion Food Hospitality
Rising Culinary Star of the Year:
Barton Seaver, Hook
Restaurant Manager of the Year:
Molly McWhorter, Chef Geoff's Downtown
Restaurant Employee of the Year:
Joel Guagliano, Zaytinya
Neighborhood Gathering Place:
Hank's Oyster Bar - DC
Hottest Bar Scene of the Year:
Central Michel Richard
Power Spot of the Year:
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Voter's Favorite:
The Monocle on Capitol Hill
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Voter's Favorite:
The Monocle on Capitol Hill
Come on- the Monocle isn't anybody's favorite anything except maybe "...place to hear someone talk like Thurston Howell the 3rd in real life". The fact that they won means these awards are faker than the sheriff-built version of Rock Ridge.
Oceanaire is not a power spot. It's a spot for non-powerful law firm partners to take non-powerful clients out for overpriced Halibut.
It certainly doesn't attract politically powerful people, and I really doubt many lobbying or lawyering bigwigs go there except when they're making last minute reservations.
Mojotron:
The Monocle is a favorite neighborhood refuge from the hubbub and clamor of the turbulent Ronald Wilson Reagan Republican Center (425 Second St. NE).
Kinkeads is a far better seafood spot than the chain restaurant Oceanaire.