
Who’s Up for a RAMMY?
I was there—toasting with the rest of the DMV hospitality fam—as The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington dropped the 2025 RAMMYS Finalists yesterday at The Hamilton LIVE! This annual announcement is one of my favorite moments in the industry. The RAMMYS always shine a light on the talent, creativity, and sheer hustle that make the DC region one of the most dynamic dining destinations in the country. 20 categories. A room full of chefs, restaurateurs, and industry leaders. And a LOT to celebrate. This year brings a big change: for the first time ever, Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year will be judge-selected (not public voted!)—because yes, fast casual is having a moment and deserves its flowers. BUT four categories are still in your hands!-Starting May 1, you can vote via @nbcwashington & @telemundodc for:-Best Bar of the Year-Best Brunch of the Year-Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year-Favorite Gathering Place of the Year And now… drumroll please… the finalists are …. Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the YearEl CieloMITARooster & OwlPineapple and PearlsKappo Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year:Ometeo King Street Oyster BarTail Up GoatPetite Cerise Amparo Fondita Casual Restaurant of the Year: 2Fifty Texas BarbecueStellina PizzeriaTsehay Ethiopian Restaurant And Bar I Egg YouThe Falls Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year:Emma's TorchYellowLa Tejana Love on the Run at Love MakotoAndy's Pizza New Restaurant of the Year: Ama La' ShukranKayu Pascual San Pancho Wine Program of the Year:ERA Wine BarBeauty Champagne and Sugar BoutiqueLulu's Wine BarLittle Black BirdEasy Wine Company Cocktail Program of the Year:AmazoniaJane JaneMedinaMoon RabbitQuadrant Beer Program of the Year:Atlas Brew WorksPizzeria ParadisoRed Bear Brewing Co.Tall BoyAstro Beer Hall Service Program of the Year:Anju MITAXiquet by Danny Lledó El Cielo Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab Chef of the Year:Carlos Delgado, Causa / AmazoniaMatt Adler, Caruso's GroceryMatt Conroy & Isabel Coss, Lutece and Pascual Rubén García Castilla, Casa TeresaMike Friedman, Red Hen Rising Culinary Star of the Year:Suresh Sundas, Daru Paolo Dungca, Hiraya Sara Ravitz, Shilling Canning Co.Fernando Gonzales, 2Fifty Texas BBQMiguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year:Alicia Wang, Yellow/AlbiSusan Bae, Moon Rabbit Rachel Sherriffe, formally at Ellie BirdCarmelo Gil, Petite Cerise Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery Restaurant Manager of the Year:Lorena Reyes – Founding FarmersAntonio Chavarria , Metropolitan Hospitality GroupAllison Williams – Pascual Tony Strowd Hamilton – Pizzeria ParadisoLuke Lin – CUT by Wolfgang Puck Restaurant Employee of the Year:.Keiri Tobar Morales – RPM ItalianLuis Jara – All Set Restaurant and BarJuan Sanchez – Café du Parc and Willard’s Peacock Alley Daniel Fuentes – MadhatterKristen Wilson – Causa/Amazonia Restaurateur of the Year:Seng Luangrath, Baan Mae Cici Yang, Yume Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and Rimtang Daniel Kramer, Duke's GroceryStephen Starr, Starr Restaurant GroupTea Ivonovic, Immigrant Food Favorite Gathering Place of the Year*:ChloeVagabond Bar and KitchenThe Dew Drop InnA Baked JointBalos Best Brunch of the Year*: SequoiaVera Cocina & BarJosephineJ. Hollingers Waterman's ChophouseLe Diplomate Best Bar of the Year*: The Green ZoneMetro BarService BarTune Inn Restaurant and BarRoyal Sands Social Club Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year*:Your Only FriendQueen Mother'sSoko ButcherJettiesAmpersandwich at Shilling Canning Co. Set your reminders—and don’t forget to save the date:The RAMMYS Gala happens August 3- tickets here.