Last night, the 2013 RAMMY Award nominees were announced! The so-called Oscars of the D.C. dining scene, the RAMMYs recognize excellence in 16 categories, including “Casual Dining”, “Chef of the Year”, “New Restaurant of the Year” and “Beverage/ Mixology Program of the Year”! Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 23, 2013, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Find out if your favorites were nominated, plus help pick the winners in three categories: Neighborhood Gathering Place, Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene, and Power Spot of the Year. Cast your vote on the Washington City Paper, finalists’ websites, or at ramw.org, April 4-18, 2013.
Congratulations to all the nominees, including:
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year:
The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
Blue Duck Tavern
The Bombay Club
Marcel’s
Rasika
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year:
Birch and Barley
Estadio
Jaleo – Penn Quarter
KAZ Sushi Bistro
Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year:
Ardeo + Bardeo
Bastille
Evening Star Café
Nellie’s Sports Bar
Willow Restaurant
New Restaurant of the Year:
Boqueria
DGS Delicatessen
Rasika West End
Chef of the Year:
Tony Conte – The Oval Room
Haidar Karoum – Estadio/Proof
Tarver King – The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
Fabio Trabocchi – Fiola
Rising Culinary Star of the Year:
Marjorie Meek-Bradley – Ripple
John Melfi – Blue Duck Tavern
Nathan Shapiro – The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
Pastry Chef of the Year:
Beverly Bates – Vidalia
Peter Brett – Blue Duck Tavern
Alison Reed – Ripple
Susan Wallace – BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant
Tom Wellings – Fiola
Wine Program of the Year:
Adour
The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
Dino
Marcel’s
Ripple
Beverage/Mixology Program of the Year:
Birch & Barley/Churchkey
Bourbon Steak
Rasika
Power Spot of the Year:
The Bombay Club
Johnny’s Half Shell
P. J. Clarke’s
Seasons
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year:
Fiola
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Manager of the Year:
Joseph Cerione – Blue Duck Tavern
Justin Guthrie - Estadio
Alex Muñoz – Hill Country Barbecue Market
Michael Nevarez – Vidalia/Bistro Bis/Woodward Table
Tyes Zolman – Black Restaurant Group
Employee of the Year:
Helene Jones – Poste Moderne Brasserie
Lauren Lowe – DC Coast
Luis Noriega – Zengo
Ali Schemeck – Chef Geoff’s, New Mexico Ave.
Elizabeth Zelaya - Fiola
Restaurateur of the Year:
José Andrés & Rob Wilder – THINKFoodGROUP
Michael Babin – Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Ashok Bajaj – Knightsbridge Restaurant Group
Drew Kim, Mark Neal and Ty Neal – Matchbox Food Group