RAMMY Nominees Announced

It's been an award filled week, and to keep things going, nominees for the RAMMYs — DC's Academy Awards of food — were announced last night.

The biggest news is that because our dining scene is so freakin awesome, the judges broke the rules and nominated six spots for Best New Restaurant, instead of the standard five. Brasserie Beck, Central Michel Richard, Hook, Proof, The Source by Wolfgang Puck and Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert all snagged nods for the category.

In addition to Best New Restaurant, a winner from the following nominees will be chosen by a panel of judges:

• Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Equinox, Michel Richard Citronelle, Restaurant Eve, The Oval Room, Vidalia

• Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Oyamel, Poste Moderne Brasserie, Vermilion, Willow, Zaytinya

• Chef of the Year: R.J. Cooper, Vidalia; Todd Gray, Equinox; Michel Richard, Michel Richard Citronelle/Central Michel Richard; Robert Wiedmaier, Marcel’s/Brasserie Beck; Eric Ziebold, CityZen

• Pastry Chef of the Year: Heather Chittum, Hook; Michelle Garbee, Bastille; Kate Jansen, Willow; Melanie Parker, Equinox; Josh Short, Neighborhood Restaurant Group

• Wine and Beverage Program of the Year: Dino, Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar, OYA, Passion Food Hospitality, Tallula/Eat Bar

• Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Nathan Anda, Tallula; Tony Chittum, Vermilion; Tony Conte, The Oval Room; Joe Raffa, Oyamel; Barton Seaver, Hook

• Restaurant Manager of the Year: Hicham T. Bennani, Mie N Yu; Christine de Clerfay, The Oceanaire Seafood Room; Molly McWhorter, Chef Geoff’s Downtown; Ned Mirkovic, Morton’s The Steakhouse; Adam Williamowsky, BLT Steak

• Restaurant Employee of the Year: Simo Amhandi, Equinox; Michael Cherner, Mie N Yu; Joel Guagliano, Zaytinya; Chris Kelley, Mie N Yu; Willians Perez Rollins, Chef Geoff’s

And for awards to be decided by the dining public:

• Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Ardeo, Belga Cafe, Billy Martin’s Tavern, Hank’s Oyster Bar - DC, Mark & Orlando’s

• Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year: Brasserie Beck, Central Michel Richard, Poste Moderne Brasserie, Proof, The Source by Wolfgang Puck

• Power Spot of the Year: Bistro Bis, Charlie Palmer Steak, Monocle on Capitol Hill, Seasons at Four Seasons Hotel, The Oceanaire Seafood Room

• Voters’ Favorite: Who will you vote for?

Cast votes online at ramw.org or on a special ballot, which will appear in the May 18 Washington Post Magazine.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I wish we had an annual award event like this for the Panhandle of FL. Their are some amazing restaurants in the Destin, FL & Pensacola, FL area.

http://www.confessionsofafoodie.com
Jules said…
I have to say, of the "best new restaurants" I've been to Proof, Westend Bistro, and the Source all in the last few months and had mediocre to terrible service at all three - and lackluster food at Proof. I left (sadly) disappointed by each. Haven't checked out Beck or Central yet, but here's hoping their waitstaff are a little more on their game.

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