Recognition for Washington’s top restaurants and the people who work there was handed out at last night’s 32nd annual RAMMY Awards.
And the best restaurant in Washington in 2014 is…
Well, there’s lots of them. Categories abound with nominees for best formal fine dining restaurant, upscale casual, everyday casual, new, and so on. Fiola, Ripple, Toki Underground and The Red Hen won those groups, respectively. Haidar Karoum, who opened Doi Moi this year and is also the chef behind Estadio and Proof, took home the coveted Chef of the Year recognition. Michael Babin, the man behind the local and growing Neighborhood Restaurant Group empire, was named Restaurateur of the Year. Dining rooms he’s opened within the last year include Bluejacket and The Partisan.
Over 1,500 guests packed the halls of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for what is affectionately known as D.C.’s restaurant prom, with black tie attire to match. The massive gala is fueled by the trade promotion boards and booze purveyors vying to get their products into the minds and bellies of the people who make the dining scene in Washington tick. Those accustomed to cooking and serving grazed on ceviche, Australian lamb chops, and bacon-wrapped half smokes at the Citi Open section of the space until tables were mostly abandoned. Revelers gathered around the cocktail station, DJ booth, and dance floor by the auditorium’s main stage.
While chefs had the night off—the party was catered—many of the city’s best bartenders were on duty plying their trade. Jack Rose Dining Saloon had taken home the award for Cocktail Program of the Year earlier in the evening. Their crystal obelisk trophy sat by the bottles of tequila filled with the liquor they were mixing with ginger and honey syrups, white peppercorn infused lime juice, a mezcal float on top for smokiness, and a smack of rosemary.
“My whole goal as a bartender and beverage director is to make sure that every customer that comes in is having a great experience,” said head bartender and beverage director Trevor Frye while a Rhianna track blared in the background. “I feel blessed to have the best staff I’ve ever worked with that shares my passion for cocktails. I’m so stoked to share this with them and continue to grow the cocktail scene in D.C.”
On the other side of the DJ tower was the bar for Bourbon Steak, a finalist for the best cocktail program, serving a bourbon, peach liqueur and citrus cocktail called the Susan Lucci.
Nominees were announced in March. A full list of winners is below:
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Fiola
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Ripple
Everyday Casual Restaurant of the Year: Toki Underground
New Restaurant of the Year: The Red Hen
Chef of the Year: Haidar Karoum, Doi Moi, Estadio, Proof
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Michael Friedman, The Red Hen
Pastry Chef of the Year: Caitlin Dysart, 2941 Restaurant
Wine Program of the Year: Ripple
Cocktail Program of the Year: Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Beer Program of the Year: Birch and Barley / ChurchKey
Service Program of the Year: Blue Duck Tavern
Restaurateur of the Year: Michael Babin, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Red Apron Butcher
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: Hank’s Oyster Bar – Dupont Circle
Upscale Casual Brunch: Mintwood Place
Everyday Casual Brunch: Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Favorite Fast Bites: Amsterdam Falafelshop
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: ProFish, Ltd.
Employee of the Year: Stelios Alexandris, 1789 Restaurant
Manager of the Year: Boo Young Kim, District Commons
