Montgomery Co. Restaurants Up For Bragging Rights In RAMMY Awards

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — From chef Jose Andres' signature cocktails to oysters and cocktails at Republic, this year's DC area restaurant awards have a lot to offer. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington recently announced the list of restaurants up for RAMMY awards this year. The event celebrates one of Metropolitan Washington's greatest assets: its restaurants, and the foodies who love them can vote for the winners.

According to a statement, the awards honor "the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the region's restaurants and foodservice community." The winners will be announced at a black-tie gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sunday, June 10.

Popular Montgomery County restaurants made the finalist list, including Republic in Takoma Park, Owen’s Ordinary in North Bethesda and more.

The first category is "Favorite Gathering Place of the Year." Restaurants nominated for this category are places "where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends repeatedly," the organization says. "The great atmosphere and good vibes are as important as the food and drink."

Nominees include: Bar Charley in D.C.; Cheesetique in Shirlington; Fare Well in D.C.; Right Proper Brewing Company in D.C. and The Daily Dish in Silver Spring, Md.

The next category is "Upscale Brunch of the Year." Restaurants nominated for this award demonstrate a "high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in an upscale environment."

Finalists include: Osteria Morini in D.C; Seasons in D.C.; Sfoglina in D.C.; The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville, Va. and The Source by Wolfgang Puck in D.C.

Here are more categories and their finalists:

Casual Restaurant of the Year

• Daikaya in D.C.
• Duke’s Grocery in D.C.
• Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern in D.C.
• Royal in D.C.
• Timber Pizza Company in D.C.

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year

• Centrolina in D.C.
• Clarity in Vienna, Va.
• Iron Gate in D.C.
• Maketto in D.C.
• Sushi Taro in D.C.

New Restaurant of the Year

• Arroz in D.C.
• Bresca in D.C.
• CHIKO in D.C.
• Del Mar in D.C.
• Maydan in D.C.

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

• Fiola Mare in D.C.
• Masseria in D.C.
• Rasika in D.C.
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck in D.C.
• Trummer’s on Main in Clifton, Va.

Casual Brunch of the Year

• Ambar Capitol Hill
• Ari’s Diner in D.C.
• Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern in D.C.
• Maketto in D.C.
• Vinoteca in D.C.

Favorite Fast Bites of the Year

• G by Mike Isabella in D.C.
• Moby Dick House of Kabob in D.C.
• Shouk in D.C.
• Stomping Ground in Alexandria, Va.
• Taco Bamba Taqueria in various Virginia locations

Cocktail Program of the Year

• Bar Charley in D.C.
• barmini by José Andrés in D.C.
• Espita Mezcaleria in D.C.
• Petworth Citizen and Reading Room in D.C.
• Royal in D.C.

Beer Program of the Year

• Brasserie Beck in D.C.
• Owen’s Ordinary in North Bethesda, Md.
• Republic in Takoma Park, Md.
• Roofers Union in D.C.
• The Sovereign in D.C.

Wine Program of the Year

• BOURBON STEAK in D.C.
• Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen in D.C.
• Le Diplomate in D.C.
• RANGE in D.C.
• Trummer’s on Main in Clifton, Va.

Employee of the Year

• Gerarda Lazo, Pizzeria Paradiso, in D.C.
• Sharon Rissal, Jaleo, in Bethesda
• Pete Rymshaw, The Salt Line in D.C.
• Edgar Salvador, Centrolina in D.C.
• Andrea Tateosian, Urbana in D.C.

Manager of the Year

• Julio Amador, Cork Wine Bar & Market in D.C.
• Daniel Coughlan, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen in D.C.
• Matthew McQuilkin, Pizzeria Paradiso in D.C.
• Heidi Minora, Commissary in D.C.
• Adam Rigaa, Brasserie Beck in D.C.

Service Program of the Year

• BOURBON STEAK in D.C.
• Le Diplomate in D.C.
• minibar by José Andrés in D.C. '
• The Red Hen in D.C.
• Tosca in D.C.

Pastry Chef of the Year

• Fabrice Bendano, Le Diplomate in D.C.
• Naomi Gallego, Neighborhood Restaurant Group in D.C. and Virginia
• Tiffany MacIsaac, Buttercream Bakeshop in D.C.
• Pichet Ong, Maketto in D.C.
• Erin Reed, Blue Duck Tavern in D.C.

Rising Culinary Star of the Year

• Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen & Maydan in D.C.
• Carlos Delgado, China Chilcano in D.C.
• Daniela Moreira, Timber Pizza Company in D.C.
• Michael Rafidi, Arroz & Requin in D.C.
• Russell Smith, The Source by Wolfgang Puck in D.C.

See the full list of finalists and categories online.

The public can vote for these restaurants online. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on April 30.