‘chef mike isabella’
courtesy of ‘aliciagriffin’

Every year, DC’s Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY) awards garners a lot of attention, and deservedly so.  This is a town that loves its restaurants, and loves its food.  The nominees for this year’s events are below the cut, but I’ll give you a quick summary here. The Fine Dining and Upscale Casual categories were no great surprise to anyone who’s been to the establishments, and the usual restauranteurs are making their presence felt: José Andrés, Michel Richard, Robert Wiedmaier and the NRG. Top Chef’s Mike Isabella is likely a shoo-in for Rising Star. I was deeply gratified to see Birch & Barley/ChurchKey get so much attention.

DC has such an abundance of great food, that I certainly don’t envy anyone their ballot here!

Fine Dining
2941, Falls Church, VA;
Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC;
Minibar by José Andrés, Washington, DC;
The Oval Room, Washington, DC;
The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Washington, DC

Upscale Casual
Central Michel Richard, Washington, DC;
The Liberty Tavern, Arlington, VA;
Proof, Washington, DC;
Vermilion, Alexandria, VA;
Zaytinya, Washington, DC

New Restaurant
Bibiana, Washington, DC;
Birch & Barley, Washington, DC;
Bourbon Steak, Washington, DC;
Eventide, Arlington, VA;
Inox, McLean, VA

Chef
Bertrand Chemel – 2941, Falls Church, VA;
Scott Drewno – The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Washington, DC;
Daniel Giusti – 1789, Washington, DC; (see our Capital Chefs article on Giusti)
Vikram Sunderam – Rasika, Washington, DC;
Haidar Karoum – Proof, Washington, DC

Rising Culinary Star
Michael Isabella – Zaytinya, Washington, DC;
Liam LaCivita – The Liberty Tavern, Arlington, VA;
Shannon Overmiller – Majestic Café, Alexandria, VA;
Nicholas Stefanelli – Bibiana, Washington, DC;
Jon Mathieson – Inox, McLean, VA (see our Capital Chefs article on Mathieson)

Pastry Chef
Anthony Chavez – 2941, Falls Church, VA;
Amanda Cook – CityZen, Washington, DC;
Josh Short – Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Washington DC & VA;
Fabrice Bendano – Adour, Washington, DC;
Travis Olson – 1789, Washington, DC

Wine Program
2941, Falls Church, VA;
Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC;
Dino, Washington, DC;
701/Ardeo/Bardeo/Bibiana/Bombay Club/The Oval Room/Rasika, Washington, DC;
Proof, Washington, DC

Beverage/Mixology Program Brasserie Beck, Washington, DC;
EatGoodFoodGroup, Alexandria, VA;
Founding Farmers, Washington, DC;
PS7’s, Washington, DC;
Tabard Inn, Washington, DC

Neighborhood Gathering Place
Bar Pilar, Washington, DC;
Belga Café, Washington, DC;
Cork, Washington, DC;
EatBar, Arlington, VA;
Kemble Park Tavern, Washington, DC

 

Restaurant Power Spot
Art & Soul, Washington, DC;
BLT Steak, Washington, DC;
Bombay Club, Washington, DC;
The Source, Washington, DC;
Teatro Goldoni, Washington, DC

 

Hottest Bar Scene
Birch & Barley and ChurchKey, Washington, DC;
Bourbon Steak, Washington, DC;
Masa 14, Washington, DC;
Posto, Washington, DC;
POV, Washington, DC