The 2015 RAMMY Gala, where winners are announced. (Photo by Bill.)
D.C.’s vibrant bars and restaurants have gotten plenty of love lately, from Zagat naming the city the “hottest food city” of 2016 to making a strong showing among the finalists for the prestigious James Beard awards. But in many ways, Washington is still its own biggest fan and support system when it comes to recognizing its quality eats and drinks. A big part of that is the annual Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington awards (RAMMYs), which for the past 35 years have recognized the region’s very best in food, beverage, and service. Finalists for the 2017 awards (who must be RAMW members) were announced last night, and winners will be announced on July 30.
The 2017 list includes plenty of perennial favorites, includes three nominations each for Iron Gate, Barmini/Minibar, Cava Mezze/Cava Grill, The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Republic, Daikaya, Mike Isabella Concepts, and Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants.
A public vote (through May 31 at 5 p.m.) will determine the winner in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch of the Year, Casual Brunch of the Year, and Favorite Fast Bites of the Year. The rest of the awards will be chosen by a panel of restaurant industry professionals.
Here is the list of the 2017 awards finalists:
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: The nominee must have been open for at least 2 years prior to December 31, 2016.
Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen
The Front Porch at Evening Star Cafe
Lauriol Plaza
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Petworth Citizen & Reading Room
Upscale Brunch of the Year: The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2016.
Convivial
Del Campo
Marcel’s by Robert Wiedmaier
The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Casual Brunch of the Year: The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2016.
Cava Mezze – Capitol Hill
DGS Delicatessen
Maketto
Republic
Sixth Engine
Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2016.
Beefsteak
Cava Grill
Chase the Submarine
G by Mike Isabella
Taco Bamba Taqueria
Cocktail Program of the Year: The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2016.
barmini by José Andrés
Indique
Iron Gate
Kapnos by Mike Isabella
Royal
Beer Program of the Year: The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2016.
B Side
District Commons
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Republic
Roofers Union
Wine Program of the Year: The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2016.
Bourbon Steak
Charlie Palmer Steak
Doi Moi
Fiola
minibar by José Andrés
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.
Noe Alfaro, Republic
Heather Berry, Bar Pilar
Joseph Cassis, PassionFish Bethesda
David Perry, RIS
David Trezevant, Carmine’s Family Style Italian Restaurant
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.
Julio Amador, Cork Wine Bar
Christine Gibson, Iron Gate
John Grace, The Hamilton
Matthew McQuilkin, Pizzeria Paradiso
Margaret Perry, Kyirisan
Service Program of the Year: The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2016.
The Bombay Club
minibar by José Andrés
Ripple
RIS
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Pastry Chef of the Year: The nominee must have been a pastry chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.
Mollie Bird, Kyirisan
Jemil Gadea, Masseria
Tiffany MacIsaac, Buttercream Bakeshop
Brandon Malzahn, Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants
Erin Reed, Blue Duck Tavern
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years.
Sasha Felikson, Doi Moi
Ryan Ratino, Ripple
Miranda Rosenfelt, Sally’s Middle Name
Rob Rubba, Hazel
Piter & Handry Tjan, Kōbō and Sushiko
Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2016.
Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
Daikaya
The Daily Dish
Duke’s Grocery
Mandu, 18th Street
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2016.
Central Michel Richard
Indique
Iron Gate
Proof
The Red Hen
New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between December 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and service.
All Purpose
Hazel
Kōbō
Requin
Whaley’s
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2016.
Fiola Mare
minibar by José Andrés
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Sushi Taro
Trummer’s On Main
Chef of the Year: The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.
Amy Brandwein, Centrolina
Erik Bruner-Yang, Maketto, Paper Horse
Austin Fausett, Proof
Katsuya Fukushima, Bantam King, Daikaya and Haikan
Tarver King, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: This nominee is a food or beverage artisan who creates a product that is then utilized by chefs and restaurants. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2016.
Atlas Brew Works
DC Brau Brewing Company
Logan Sausage
New Columbia Distillers/Green Hat
Right Proper Brewing Company
Restaurateur of the Year: Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of five years in the Metropolitan Washington area.
Ari Gejdenson, Mindful Restaurants
Ike Grigoropoulos, Dimitri Moshovitis, Ted Xenochristos and Brett Schulman, Cava Group, Inc.
The Kuller Family, Fat Baby Inc.
Jamie Leeds, JL Restaurant Group
Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fukushima and Yama Jewayni, Daikaya Group
