At last, some good news. Numerous restaurants in our Hill Rag and Mid-City neighborhoods have been nominated for the 2020 RAMMY Awards. Sponsored by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, the awards—in various categories–are presented to culinary establishments that excel in their fields and commitment to their communities. Because of the pandemic shutdown, finalists were announced May 4 online—instead of a festive reception. Food professionals and the public may cast their votes—also online–later this year. Dates will be announced. The envelope, please.
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Atlas Brew Works (Trinidad); Bluejacket (Navy Yard);
Employee of the Year: Yesenia Neri Diaz, Espita Mezcaleria (Shaw);
Manager of the Year: Charlie Idol: Mission Navy Yard;
Service Program of the Year: Rose’s Luxury (Barracks Row on Capitol Hill); St. Anselm (NoMa, near Union Market); The Red Hen (Bloomingdale);
Casual Restaurant of the Year: ChiKo (Barracks Row on Capitol Hill); Little Pearl (Capitol Hill); Stable (Atlas District, H Street NE);
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Chloe (Navy Yard); Maydan (Shaw); Unconventional Diner (Mount Vernon Triangle);
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Marcelle Afram, Maydan (Shaw); Jocelyn Law-Yone, Thamee (Atlas District, H Street NE); Yuan Tang, Rooster & Owl (Logan Circle);
Pastry Chef of the Year: Olivia Green, Rooster & Owl (Logan Circle); Paula Velez, Kith and Kin (District Wharf);
Wine Program of the Year: St. Anselm (NoMa, near Union Market);
Beer Program of the Year: Franklin Hall (Shaw);
Cocktail Program of the Year: Colada Shop (Logan Circle); Officina (District Wharf);
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: The Salt Line (Navy Yard);
Upscale Brunch of the Year: Estadio (Logan Circle); St. Anselm (NoMa, near Union Market);
Casual Brunch of the Year: All-Purpose Shaw; Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (Logan Circle); The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse (Ivy City);
Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: RASA (Navy Yard); Shouk (NoMa, near Union Market); Sloppy Mama’s BBQ (In Union Market);
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Gravitas (Ivy City); Pineapple and Pearls (Barracks Row on Capitol Hill);
New Restaurant of the Year: Cane (Atlas District, H Street NE); Emilie’s (Capitol Hill);
Chef of the Year: Matt Baker, Gravitas (Ivy City); David Deschaies, Unconventional Diner (Mount Vernon Triangle); Haidar Karoum, Chloe (Navy Yard); Ryan Ratino, Bresca (Logan Circle); Kevin Tien, Emilie’s (Capitol Hill);
Restaurateur of the Year: Bo Blair, Georgetown Events (The Bullpen and Due South, both in Navy Yard), Jetties, Millie’s, and Surfside; Aaron Silverman, Rose’s Luxury, Pineapple and Pearls, Little Pearl (all on Capitol Hill).
Winners will be announced at the annual RAMMY Gala, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 26 at the Walter Washington Convention Center.
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the trade association representing our region’s food industry. Founded in 1920, the Association works to promote and sustain the growth of the industry while assisting members with legislation, regulation, marketing and other issues.
