The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), D.C.’s dining association, released a list of the finalists for its 43rd annual RAMMY Awards. Several Alexandria and Arlington restaurants are included in the list. The winners will be announced on Sunday, August 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in a ceremony.
The following restaurants are finalists in the annual RAMMY Awards:
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year:
El Cielo DC, Mita, Rooster & Owl, Pineapple and Pearls, Kappo
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year:
Ometeo, King Street Oyster Bar, Tail Up Goat, Petite Cerise, Amparo Fondita
Casual Restaurant of the Year:
2Fifty Texas Barbecue, Stellina Pizzeria (Shirlington, Union Market, and Mt. Vernon), Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar, I Egg You. The Falls
Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year:
Emma’s Torch. Yellow, La Tejana,
Love on the Run at Love Makoto,
Andy’s Pizza (11 locations including Alexandria)
New Restaurant of the Year:
Ama, La’ Shukran, Kayu, Pascual,
San Pancho
Wine Program of the Year:
ERA Wine Bar, Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique (Arlington), Lulu’s Wine Bar, Little Black Bird, Easy Wine Company
Cocktail Program of the Year:
Amazonia, Jane Jane, Medina
Moon Rabbit, Quadrant
Beer Program of the Year:
Atlas Brew Works (Alexandria, Ivy City, Navy Yard), Pizzeria Paradiso, Red Bear Brewing Co., Tall Boy, Astro Beer Hall (Shirlington/Arlington, Penn Quarter)
Service Program of the Year:
Anju, MITA, Xiquet by Danny Lledó, El Cielo, Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Chef of the Year:
Carlos Delgado, Causa / Amazonia,; Matt Adler, Caruso’s Grocery; Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss, Lutece and Pascual; Rubén García Castilla, Casa Teresa; Mike Friedman, Red Hen
Rising Culinary Star of the Year:
Suresh Sundas, Daru; Paolo Dungca, Hiraya; Sara Ravitz, Shilling Canning Co.; Fernando Gonzales, 2Fifty Texas BBQ; Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA
Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year:
Alicia Wang, Yellow/Albi; Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit; Rachel Sherriffe (formerly at Ellie Bird);
Carmelo Gil, Petite Cerise; Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery
Restaurant Manager of the Year:
Lorena Reyes – Founding Farmers (Alexandria, DC); Antonio Chavarria , Metropolitan Hospitality Group; Allison Williams – Pascual; Tony Strowd Hamilton – Pizzeria Paradiso; Luke Lin – CUT by Wolfgang Puck
Restaurant Employee of the Year:
Keiri Tobar Morales – RPM Italian, Luis Jara – All Set Restaurant and Bar, Juan Sanchez – Café du Parc and Willard’s Peacock Alley, Daniel Fuentes – Madhatter, Kristen Wilson – Causa/Amazonia
Restaurateur of the Year:
Seng Luangrath, Baan Mae (Includes Padaek-Arlington); Cici Yang, Yume Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and Rimtang; Daniel Kramer, Duke’s Grocery; Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group; Tea Ivonovic, Immigrant Food
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year:
Chloe, Vagabond Bar and Kitchen, The Dew Drop Inn, A Baked Joint, Balos
Best Brunch of the Year:
Sequoia, Vera Cocina & Bar, Josephine (Alexandria), J. Hollingers Waterman’s Chophouse, Le Diplomate
Best Bar of the Year:
The Green Zone, Metro Bar
Service Bar, Tune Inn Restaurant and Bar, Royal Sands Social Club
Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year:
Your Only Friend, Queen Mother’s, Soko Butcher, Jetties,
Ampersandwich at Shilling Canning Co.
