Rammy Winners Announced

The winners of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's annual awards were announced last night in the packed ballroom of the Wardman Park Marriott.

A panel of judges chose the following winners ...
• New Restaurant: The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Fine Dining Restaurant: Equinox
• Upscale Casual Restaurant: Poste Moderne Brasserie
• Chef of the Year: Eric Ziebold of CityZen
• Rising Culinary Star: Barton Seaver, formerly of Hook
• Pastry Chef: Heather Chittum of Hook
• Wine and Beverage Program: Passion Food
• Restaurant Employee: Joel Guagliano, Zaytinya
• Restaurant Manager: Molly McWhorter, Chef Geoff’s Downtown

The public chose these winners ...
• Hottest Bar Scene: Central
• Power Spot: Oceanaire
• Neighborhood Gathering Place: Hank's Oyster Bar, DC
• Voters' Choice Restaurant of the Year: The Monocle

RAMW named Phyllis Richman, former food critic of The Washington Post, the recipient of the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, and she entertained the crowd with stories of how difficult it was to break into the food industry as a woman in the 1970s.

Ben’s Chili Bowl received an honorary RAMMY for its longevity, history and cultural significance to Washington. Jaleo received the Where Magazine Visitors’ Choice Award.

In a touching tribute to the late Joan Hisaoka, who was the gala’s PR chair since 2003, the Associate Member of the Year award was re-named the Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year. Foodservice Monthly received the award.

Comments

Anonymous said…
The Monocle?
6/30/2008 6:02 PM
Anonymous said…
Seriously.

The Monocle is the biggest anachronism in the entire Washington dining scene at this point. The food is basically old-school Washington, looking back fondly at the days of three martini lunches.

I have to hand it to them, though - leave it to a place that lives and dies on political fundraisers to mount a PR campaign to give them the win in a category decided by write-in vote.

Given the choice, there are probably 10 restaurants within 5 blocks of this place that I prefer when scheduling fundraising events and lunch meetings.
7/01/2008 10:47 AM
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