The RAMMY Awards, our region’s culinary Oscars, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), is making big changes for 2021. According to a press release, the panel of RAMMYS judges and the 2021 RAMMYS Chairs Committee saw fit to create new categories this year to reflect the unique challenges that 2020 presented to restaurants. Rather than judging performance of chefs and restaurants, the team created categories to speak to where restaurants excelled in the face of COVID-19. Membership in RAMW was also not a prerequisite this year, meaning nominations for restaurants, people, and businesses that were previously ineligible.
Below, find the list of all the nominees. NoVA finalists (or those with NoVA locations) are in italics. Categories voted for by the public are noted with an asterisk.
Managers of the Year
- Otgontuya Davaasuren, All Set Restaurant & Bar
- Khawla Gasmi, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
- Autumn Harriger, Destination Unknown Restaurants/Espita
- Jordan Lee, Thamee Restaurant
- Tylyn Mallon, Right Proper Brewing Company
- Brian McGahey, Modena Restaurant
- Gilbert Mejia, Nobu DC
- Robert Micheli, Dirty Habit
- Daurio Passaia, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
- Karina Wilkey, Sunnyside Restaurant Group
Employees of the Year:
- Gabriela Araujo, Bresca
- Ruben Avila, PassionFish Reston
- Freddy Bastidas, Blue Duck Tavern
- Adrian Godinez, RPM Italian
- Rosa Martinez, Alta Strada & Nama
- Mileyda Montezuma, Immigrant Food
- Fredy Nataren, Tryst Trading Co.
- Celina Nava, Estadio
- Alicia Ramos, Convivial
- Maria Serrano, Sababa
Formal Fine Dining in a Box:
- Brasserie Liberté
- Bresca
- Chloe
- Cranes
- Fiola
- Mintwood Place
- Rasika
- Rooster and Owl
- Saund and Snyder
- The Dabney
Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game:
- Daikaya
- Jaleo
- Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab
- Julii
- Oyster Oyster
- Rose’s Luxury/Rose’s At Home
- Stable DC
- Sushi Taro
- Sushiko
- The Duck & The Peach
Outstanding Covid-Safe Redesign (Indoors or Outdoors):
- Ben’s Chili Bowl
- Clarity
- Clyde’s Restaurant Group
- Equinox Restaurant
- Fiola Mare
- Glover Park Grill
- HalfSmoke
- Maydan
- St. Anselm
- The Park at 14th
Most Impressive Pivot to Provisions or Market:
- Bar Charley, El Chucho, and Little Coco’s
- Coconut Club
- Founding Farmers
- Hank’s Oyster Bar/Current Catch
- Neighborhood Restaurant Group
- Officina
- Seoulspice
- Thamee
- Walters Sports Bar
Good Neighbor Award:
Individual Honors:
- Erik Bruner-Yang, Power of 10 Initiative
- Willa Pelini, Paola Velez, and Rob Rubba, Bakers Against Racism
- Anna Valero, Hook Hall Helps
- Mark Bucher and Medium Rare, Feed The Fridge
- Danny Lee, Support of Immigrant and AAPI Community
- Kevin Tien and Tim Ma, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate – DC
- Jon Krinn, Chefs Feeding Northern VA, Taste of DC in VA
- David Guas, Bayou Bakery Soup Kitchen, BEAN-EFIT
- Micheline Mendelsohn and Spike Mendelsohn, National Guard Inauguration Program, and More
- Edward Lee, The LEE Initiative
Company/Organization Honors:
- Coconut Club
- Immigrant Food
- Keany Produce & Gourmet
- KNEAD Hospitality + Design
- Little Sesame
- Peruvian Brothers
- Pizzeria Paradiso
- RASA
- Saval Foodservice
- World Central Kitchen
*Outstanding Ghost Kitchen or Pop-up Concept:
- Ama Ami “homakase”
- DC Ghostburger
- Denizen’s Brewing Co., Sunday Gravy
- Fat Choi Hot Pot
- Ghostline/Social Beast
- Happy Gyro
- Little Sesame @ Sugar Fox
- June
- Shababi
- The Red Hen – French Hen
*Coolest Cocktails and Beverages To-Go:
- Astoria
- Barmini
- Cactus Cantina
- Capo Delicatessen
- Jack Rose Dining Saloon
- Napoli Pasta Bar
- Serenata
- Service Bar
- Seven Reasons
- Tiger Fork
*Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go:
- Albi
- Cork Wine Bar & Market
- Liberty Tavern
- Muchas Gracias
- Oohh’s & Aahh’s
- Pennyroyal Station
- Ristorante i Ricchi
- Taco Bamba
- Thompson Italian
- Unconventional Diner
*Prime Pandemic Patio Scene:
- Caboose Brewing Co.
- Hi-Lawn
- Hook Hall
- La Famosa
- Lauriol Plaza
- Le Diplomate
- Lulu’s Winegarden
- Mercy Me
- The Salt Line
*Technology Trailblazers:
- DC To Go-Go
- Ensemble
- GoTab
- Great American Restaurants
- Rumi’s Kitchen
- Silver Diner
- Stellina Pizzeria
- The Roost
- Think Food Group
- TTT
*Splendid Holidays at Home Offerings:
- Centrolina
- Chef Geoff’s
- Ellē
- Et Voila!
- JACKIE
- Kinship
- Lebanese Taverna
- Punjab Grill
- Ridgewells Catering
- Royal
*Festive Foodie Experiences:
- Baker’s Daughter, CSA Box Cooking Classes
- Carlie Steiner, Various Virtual Classes
- Catoctin Creek, The Art of the Cocktail
- Eric Adjepong, Cooking with Eric
- Eva Kronenburg, YouTube Cooking Series
- Louise Salas and Gina Chersevani, Designated Drinker Show
- Kwame Onwuachi, Eat Clean While Quarantined
- Mess Hall DC, Some Disassembly Required
- Sticky Fingers, Virtual Baking Classes
- Xiquet, Cooking with Chef Danny Lledó
*Hottest New Sandwich Shop:
- AmperSandwich
- Bun Papa
- Compliments Only
- Fedwich
- Fight Club
- Itty Bitty Sandwich City
- Queen Mother’s
- Roaming Rooster
- Sandi Buns
- Your Only Friend
*Stellar Brunches at Home:
- All Purpose – Navy Yard
- Call Your Mother
- Convivial
- Duke’s Grocery
- Farmers Fishers Bakers
- Feast
- I Egg You
- KitchenCray
- Seasons
- The Fainting Goat
The 2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award will be given to Glory Days Grill (25 years), La Chaumiere (45 years), Peacock Cafe (30 years), Pizzeria Paradiso (30 years), and Ristorante Piccolo (35 years) for their years of successful service.
The winners will be announced at the 39th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala on Sunday, September 19, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. We’ll let you know then if there are any celebrations to be had in NoVA.
Feature image by Rey Lopez
