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2019 RAMMY Winners “Blend the Best of Everything Our City Has to Offer”

After the awards, the party continued with drinks, dining and dancing

Looking for the hottest spots to make reservations this summer? No doubt you’ll want to check out the winners of the 37th Annual RAMMY Awards. Last night (6/30/19) top foodservice industry professionals and their fans gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced winners in 20 award categories.

Kiosks served food from Korea, Tunisia, and other and diverse options after the award were announced.

With new restaurants opening all of the time, it can be easy to overlook the fortitude of some of the city’s top spots, but before the year’s bests were awarded, six area favorites were lauded for their longevity. Honorary Milestone RAMMY Awards were given to The Bombay Club (30 years),Ristorante i Ricchi (30 years), Moby Dick House of Kabob (30 years), Silver Diner (30 years), Taberna del Alabardero (30 years)and Lebanese Taverna (40 years)!

Mayor Muriel Bowser joined the presentation to remember and honor John G. Laytham, co-owner of the Clyde’s

Swatchroom’s Warren Weixler and Maggie O’Neill with Chef Victor Albisu. Albisu was nominated in four categories and won Favorite Fast Bites for Taco Bamba Tacqueria

Restaurant Group, who passed away earlier this year, and to announce that November 12th — what would have been his 7th birthday — will be named John Laytham Day in the District.  She also commended the industry on its contributions to making the city so exceptional:

“When I see all of the restaurant industry pour into our convention center to just have fun, and to be served and to celebrate, to have drinks and to be with one another, it brings joy to my heart,” she said.  “Washington, DC is certainly a thriving city, everyone can agree with that.  We celebrate the culture and nightlife and entertainment; we see nightlife as something to celebrate and to look forward to in all 8 Wards of Washington DC.  Our restaurants blend the best of everything our city has to offer, exemplifying the diversity… and the vibrancy that is Washington, DC.”

The winners of the 37th Annual RAMMY Awards are:

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: The Veritas Law Firm

Upscale Brunch of the Year (voted by the public): Unconventional Diner

Casual Brunch of the Year (voted by the public): Compass Rose Bar & Kitchen

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year (voted by the public): Open Road

Favorite Fast Bites of the Year (voted by the public): Taco Bamba Taqueria

Service Program of the Year: Ambar – Clarendon

Beer Program of the Year:Republic

Cocktail Program of the Year: barmini by José Andrés

Wine Program of the Year: Maxwell Park

Casual Restaurant of the Year: Royal

Employee of the Year: Valentine King, Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen

Manager of the Year: Donna Seal, Oceanaire

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Ivy City Smokehouse

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The Source by Wolfgang Puck

New Restaurant of the Year: Spoken English

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Iron Gate

Pastry Chef of the Year: Ana Deshaies, Unconventional Diner

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Kwame Onwuachi, Kith/Kin

Restaurateur of the Year: Michael Friedman, Mike O’Malley, Colin McDonough & Gareth Croke, Redstone Restaurant Group (All Purpose, Boundary Stone, The Red Hen)

Chef of the Year: Kyle Bailey, The Salt Line