WASHINGTON -- The nominations for the 31st annual RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala -- known as the "Oscars Of D.C. Restaurants" -- were announced Tuesday night.
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington recognizes excellence in 16 categories.
2013 RAMMY Finalists Fine Dining Restaurant of the YearThe Ashby Inn & RestaurantBlue Duck TavernThe Bombay ClubMarcel'sRasika
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year Birch and BarleyCork Wine BarEstadioJaleo - Penn QuarterKAZ Sushi Bistro Casual Restaurant of the YearBar PilarBayou BakeryC. F. FolksNando's Peri-PeriPete's New Haven Style Apizza
Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year Ardeo + BardeoBastille Evening Star CaféNellie's Sports BarWillow Restaurant New Restaurant of the Year BoqueriaDGS DelicatessenFuego Cocina y TequileriaMintwood PlaceRasika West End
Chef of the Year Tony Conte - The Oval RoomHaidar Karoum - Estadio/ProofTarver King - The Ashby Inn and RestaurantCedric Maupillier - Mintwood PlaceFabio Trabocchi - Fiola
Rising Culinary Star of the YearScot Harlan - Green Pig Bistro Tim Ma - Maple Avenue RestaurantMarjorie Meek-Bradley - RippleJohn Melfi - Blue Duck TavernNathan Shapiro - The Ashby Inn and Restaurant Pastry Chef of the Year Beverly Bates - VidaliaPeter Brett - Blue Duck TavernAlison Reed - RippleSusan Wallace - BlackSalt Fish Market & RestaurantTom Wellings - Fiola Wine Program of the YearAdourThe Ashby Inn and RestaurantDinoMarcel'sRipple
Beverage/Mixology Program of the YearBirch & Barley/ChurchkeyBourbon Steak EatGoodFood GroupRasikaRoom 11
Power Spot of the Year The Bombay ClubJohnny's Half ShellP. J. Clarke'sSeasonsThe Source by Wolfgang Puck
Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the YearBar PilarFiolaFuego Cocina y TequileriaHank's Oyster Bar - Capitol HillJack Rose Dining Saloon Manager of the Year Joseph Cerione - Blue Duck TavernJustin Guthrie - EstadioAlex Muñoz - Hill Country Barbecue MarketMichael Nevarez - Vidalia/Bistro Bis/Woodward TableTyes Zolman - Black Restaurant Group Employee of the Year Helene Jones - Poste Moderne BrasserieLauren Lowe - DC CoastLuis Noriega - ZengoAli Schemeck - Chef Geoff's, New Mexico Ave.Elizabeth Zelaya - Fiola Restaurateur of the Year José Andrés & Rob Wilder - THINKFoodGROUPMeshelle & Cathal Armstrong - EatGoodFood GroupMichael Babin - Neighborhood Restaurant GroupAshok Bajaj - Knightsbridge Restaurant GroupDrew Kim, Mark Neal and Ty Neal - Matchbox Food Group
Associate Member of the Year Acme Paper & Supply Co.BB&TEagleBankSYSCO Food Services of BaltimoreMarriott Wardman Park Hotel
Most of the awards will be chosen by two panels of judges comprised of food and restaurant writers, educators and HR professionals. Three of the awards, Neighborhood Gathering Place, Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene and Power Spot of the Year, will be voted on by the public on the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington website.
RAMMY awards will be handed out on Sunday, June 23 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Tickets for the event are currently on sale.
The nominees for New Restaurant of the Year, Boqueria, DGS Delicatessen, Fuego Cocina y Tequileria, Mintwood Place and Rasika West End served tasting portions of some of their best dishes for a crowd of tastemakers, journalists and restaurant industry insiders at The Hamilton.
