A Night at The Rammys

Photo by John Arundel/Local Kicks A chef at the Omni Shoreham whipped up mushroom soup.

The Rammys are decided by an anonymous panel of food journalists and hospitality industry educators, and recognize the best of D.C.’s restaurant industry. A handful of awards were also decided by popular vote.

This year's award recipients:

• Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Liberty Tavern

• National Restaurant Association Restaurant Neighbor Award: McCormick & Schmick’s, ThinkFoodGroup, Poste

• Honorary Rammy Award: Martin’s Tavern

• Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award: Dimitri Mallios

Photo by John Arundel/Local Kicks Sue Palka of Fox 5 was the evening's emcee.

• Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Rasika

• Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Anthony Chittum, Vermillion

• New Restaurant of the Year: Cork Wine Bar

• John Hisoaka Associate Member of the Year: Belair Produce

• Wine and Beverage Program of the Year: Cityzen

• Power Spot of the Year: Central

• Restaurant Employee of the Year: Juan Francisco Lopez

• Restaurant Manager of the Year: Ryland Johnson

Photo by John Arundel/Local Kicks The event was held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

• Where Magazine Visitors’ Choice Award: The Prime Rib

• Your Favorite Restaurant of the Year: Teatro Goldoni

• Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Restaurant Eve

• Chef of the Year: Robert Wiedmaier

• Pastry Chef of the Year: Kate Jansen, Willow

The first Restaurant Awards Gala was held in 1982 to honor the best and brightest of our industry and was attended by a handful of the area’s restaurants.  Twenty seven years later, The RAMMY Restaurant Awards has grown to over 1300 attendees with national and international press coverage underscoring its prominence and the importance of Washington as the nation’s dining capital.  

A portion of the proceeds from the gala will benefit the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Education Foundation.  Proceeds will help area high school students develop viable careers in the restaurant industry by providing scholarships for post-secondary education in restaurant and hospitality-related fields.  


Established in 1920, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington works to unite restaurateurs and food service industry professionals of the Washington area. Today, RAMW has more than 700 members, and is the voice of establishments ranging from casual eateries to internationally acclaimed fine dining restaurants.