The 2021 RAMMY Awards, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s annual celebration for the buzziest players in D.C. food and drink, looked different for the second year in a row. After last year’s virtual awards were held in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, attendees who showed official vaccination certifications gathered in person last night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for an unveiling of the winners. But rather than skim over the difficulties of the last 18 months, the 39th annual awards deviated from usual programming to recognize the ways in which the region met the year’s challenges.

The association, an anonymous panel of judges, and a 2021 RAMMY’s chairs committee scrapped most of its traditional categories and qualifications to identify awards that would speak to how the restaurant industry has adapted during a year of pandemic difficulties: the best takeout pivots and to-go packaging, the most impressive redesigns for safe dining and outdoor patios, the most innovative pop-up and ghost kitchen concepts, and the technology leaders around virtual menus, online ordering, and delivery platforms. For this year only, the nominations were open to anyone in the industry, forgoing the RAMW membership requirement and the one year of operation typically needed for most awards consideration.

These changes meant a more inclusive list of restaurants and individuals who might not have been considered in other years, such as Will Fung’s hot pot kits and Komi’s Happy Gyro pop-up. It also allowed for a more exhaustive selection—RAMW selected 10 nominees for each category instead of five. An anonymous judges panel decided most of the winners; votes were open to the public for best-of categories like to-go cocktails, virtual programming, and holiday takeout packages.

Though there were clear winners in most categories, judges decided to honor all nominees for a few titles. Instead of naming a single winner and finalists for managers and employees of the year, the RAMMYS highlighted all 20 honorees for their flexibility and positivity as they implemented ever-changing regulations, prioritized safety, and supported fellow coworkers. A “Good Neighbor” award showcased individual and collective efforts to help D.C. communities and causes, such as providing meals and support to hospitality workers and residents experiencing homelessness. The judges panel also added two honorable mentions this year (without soliciting nominations) to recognize wine and desserts to-go.

The RAMMYs also recognized restaurants celebrating significant years in business with the 2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award—especially poignant in a year with record numbers of closings. Glory Days Grill was recognized for 25 years, La Chaumière for 45 years, Peacock Cafe for 30 years, Pizzeria Paradiso for 30 years, and Ristorante Piccolo for 35 years of service.

See all the winners below. Winners are listed in bold (except where there was no individual winner) and the nine categories decided by public votes are indicated with an asterisk.

Managers of the Year

• Otgontuya Davaasuren, All Set Restaurant & Bar
• Khawla Gasmi, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar, & Eatery
• Autumn Harriger, Destination Unknown Restaurants/Espita
• Jordan Lee, Thamee Restaurant
• Tylyn Mallon, Right Proper Brewing Company
• Brian McGahey, Modena Restaurant
• Gilbert Mejia, Nobu DC
• Robert Micheli, Dirty Habit
• Daurio Passaia, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
• Karina Wilkey, Sunnyside Restaurant Group

Employees of the Year

• Gabriela Araujo, Bresca
• Ruben Avila, PassionFish Reston
• Freddy Bastidas, Blue Duck Tavern
• Adrian Godinez, RPM Italian
• Rosa Martinez, Alta Strada & Nama
• Mileyda Montezuma, Immigrant Food
• Fredy Nataren, Tryst Trading Co.
• Celina Nava, Estadio
• Alicia Ramos, Convivial
• Maria Serrano, Sababa

Finer Dining in a Box

• Brasserie Liberté
• Bresca
• Chloe
• Cranes
• Fiola
• Mintwood Place
• Rasika
• Rooster and Owl
• Saund and Snyder
• The Dabney

Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game

• Daikaya
• Jaleo
• Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab
• Julii
• Oyster Oyster
• Rose’s Luxury/Rose’s At Home
• Stable DC
• Sushi Taro
• Sushiko
• The Duck & The Peach

Outstanding Covid-Safe Redesign (Indoors or Outdoors)

• Ben’s Chili Bowl
• Clarity
• Clyde’s Restaurant Group
• Equinox Restaurant
• Fiola Mare
• Glover Park Grill
• HalfSmoke
• Maydan
• St. Anselm
• The Park at 14th

Most Impressive Pivot to Provisions or Market

• ANXO Cidery
• Bar Charley, El Chucho, and Little Coco’s
• Coconut Club
• Founding Farmers
• Hank’s Oyster Bar/Current Catch
• Neighborhood Restaurant Group
• Officina
• SEOULSPICE
• Thamee
• Walters Sports Bar

Good Neighbor Award: Individual Honors

• Erik Bruner-Yang, Power of 10 Initiative
• Willa Pelini, Paola Velez, and Rob Rubba, Bakers Against Racism
• Anna Valero, Hook Hall Helps
• Mark Bucher and Medium Rare, Feed The Fridge
• Danny Lee, Support of Immigrant and AAPI Community
• Kevin Tien and Tim Ma, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate – DC
• Jon Krinn, A Taste of DC in VA and To Community and Beyond: Crossing Culinary Bridges Guest DC Chef Series
• David, Guas, Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar & Eatery, Chefs Feeding Families

• Micheline Mendelsohn and Spike Mendelsohn, National Guard Inauguration Program, and More
• Edward Lee, The LEE Initiative

Good Neighbor Award: Company/Organization Honors

• Coconut Club
• Immigrant Food
• Keany Produce & Gourmet
• KNEAD Hospitality + Design
• Little Sesame
• Peruvian Brothers
• Pizzeria Paradiso
• RASA
• Saval Foodservice
• World Central Kitchen

Outstanding Ghost Kitchen or Pop-up Concept*

• Ama Ami “homakase”
• DC Ghostburger
• Denizen’s Brewing Co., Sunday Gravy
• Fat Choi Hot Pot
• Ghostline/Social Beast
• Happy Gyro
• Little Sesame @ Sugar Fox
• June
• Shababi
• The Red Hen – French Hen

Coolest Cocktails and Beverages To-Go*

• Astoria
• Barmini
• Cactus Cantina
• Capo Delicatessen
• Jack Rose Dining Saloon
• Napoli Pasta Bar
• Serenata
• Service Bar
• Seven Reasons
• Tiger Fork

Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go*

• Albi
• Cork Wine Bar & Market
• Liberty Tavern
• Muchas Gracias
• Oohh’s & Aahh’s
• Pennyroyal Station
• Ristorante i Ricchi
• Taco Bamba
• Thompson Italian
• Unconventional Diner

Prime Pandemic Patio Scene*

• Caboose Brewing Co.
• Hi-Lawn
• Hook Hall
• La Famosa
• Lauriol Plaza
• Le Diplomate
• Lulu’s Winegarden
• Mercy Me
• The Salt Line
• Sandlot

Technology Trailblazers*

• DC To Go-Go
• Ensemble
• GoTab
• Great American Restaurants
• Rumi’s Kitchen
• Silver Diner
• Stellina Pizzeria
• The Roost
• Think Food Group
• TTT

Splendid Holidays at Home Offerings*

• Centrolina
• Chef Geoff’s
• Ellē
• Et Voila!
• JACKIE
• Kinship
• Lebanese Taverna
• Punjab Grill
• Ridgewells Catering
• Royal

Festive Foodie Experiences*

• Baker’s Daughter, CSA Box Cooking Classes
• Carlie Steiner, Various Virtual Classes
• Catoctin Creek, The Art of the Cocktail
• Eric Adjepong, Cooking with Eric
• Eva Kronenburg, YouTube Cooking Series
• Louise Salas and Gina Chersevani, Designated Drinker Show
• Kwame Onwuachi, Eat Clean While Quarantined
• Mess Hall DC, Some Disassembly Required
• Sticky Fingers, Virtual Baking Classes
• Xiquet, Cooking with Chef Danny Lledó

Hottest New Sandwich Shop*

• AmperSandwich
• Bun Papa
• Compliments Only
• Fedwich
• Fight Club
• Itty Bitty Sandwich City
• Queen Mother’s
• Roaming Rooster
• Sandi Buns
• Your Only Friend

Stellar Brunches at Home*

• All Purpose – Navy Yard
• Call Your Mother
• Convivial
• Duke’s Grocery
• Farmers Fishers Bakers
• Feast
• I Egg You
• KitchenCray
• Seasons
• The Fainting Goat

Wine To Go Program – Honorable Mention

• Dio Wine Bar
• Domestique
• Flight Wine Bar
• Grand Cata
• La Jambe
• Maxwell Park
• Sonny’s Pizza
• Squash Club DC
• Tail Up Goat/Reveler’s Hour
• The Girl and The Vine

Sweet Relief: Baking and Pastry To Go – Honorable Mention

• Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
• Bakers Against Racism
• Buttercream Bakeshop
• Bread and Water Co.
• Donut Run
• MASTIHA
• Pluma by Bluebird Bakery
• Sunday Morning Bakehouse
• The Dapper Fox
• Yellow