Monday night, the industry showed up. Big time. We all packed into The Hamilton Live to find out who made it to the finalist round of this year’s RAMMYS. And let me tell you, when those names started getting called? Cheers, hugs, a few shocked faces…all of it.This year already feels different. From the first-ever public semi-finalist announcement to this packed finalist reveal, there’s real momentum — and a reminder of just how deep the talent runs across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.Presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the RAMMYS celebrate the people, places, and programs that make this region one of the most exciting dining destinations in the country right now.Here’s who’s heading to the final round: Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the YearAlbiDōgon by Kwame OnwuachiElyseRaniaRooster & Owl Upscale Casual Restaurant of the YearJoonMoon RabbitOsteria MozzaPascualPerry’s Casual Restaurant of the YearEllēLa Bonne VachePurple PatchTaqueria XochiTsehay Ethiopian Fast Casual Restaurant of the YearAndy’s PizzaCall Your MotherQueen Mother’s KitchenSan PanchoYellow New Restaurant of the YearElminaISLAMarcus DCThe OccidentalTapori Wine Program of the YearBourbon Steak DCFiolaLulu’s WinegardenLutèceMaydān Cocktail Program of the YearAmazoniaCucina MORINIRaniaResidents Café & BarYour Only Friend Beer Program of the YearFranklin HallPizzeria ParadisoRed Bear Brewing Co.Solace OutpostWunder Garten Service Program of the YearCausaImperfectoJoe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone CrabMITAOld Ebbitt Grill Chef of the YearMatt Adler, Cucina MORINI & Caruso’s GroceryAmy Brandwein, Centrolina & Piccolina da CentrolinaMatt Conroy & Isabel Coss, The Popal GroupRubén García, Casa TeresaJeremiah Langhorne, The Dabney Rising Culinary Star of the YearPaolo Dungca, KayuGuy-René Gerin, L'ArdenteAnthony Jones, Marcus DCAlam Méndez, Apapacho TaqueriaMartel Stone, Dōgon Pastry Chef or Baker of the YearSusan Bae, Moon RabbitGianpier Flores, The OccidentalBridie McCulla, Northside SocialRosie Nguyen, Rose Ave BakeryRachel Sherriffe, Marcus DC Manager of the YearTrisha Custodio, Sfoglina Van NessTodd Hunt, Oak Steakhouse AlexandriaLauren Montana, Pizzeria ParadisoDebby Portillo, 2Fifty Texas BBQJuan Ramirez, Bastille Brasserie & Bar Employee of the YearIngrid Arteaga, Open RoadEstela Catarino, AmaJosé Martínez, MITARaul Pineda, Perry'sJose Luis Salgado, Zinnia Restaurateur of the YearDavid Deshaies & Eric Eden, Garden HospitalityFernando González, 2Fifty Texas BBQEnrique Limardo & Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, Seven Reasons GroupMichael Rafidi, Albi, Yellow, La' ShukranStephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group Favorite Gathering Place of the Year (Public Vote)*Cafe MilanoJane JaneLe DiplomateOld Ebbitt GrillSOST Best Brunch of the Year (Public Vote)*dLeñaI Egg YouMatt & Tony'sRuthie's All DayUnconventional Diner Best Bar of the Year (Public Vote)*CanaEl PresidentePress ClubService BarSilver Lyan Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year (Public Vote)*2Fifty Texas BBQCelebrity DellyJoia BurgerSOKO ButcherYour Only Friend Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the YearAcme Paper & Supply Co.Coca-Cola ConsolidatedEvents DCGrossman Young & HammondPreferred Insurance Voting for the public categories opens April 20 through May 17.And then, we celebrate. The 44th Annual RAMMYS Awards & Gala takes place Monday, June 29, 2026, with the awards ceremony at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater followed by a full-on industry celebration at The Anthem.Get ready, it’s going to be a big one. What to wear, what to wear. 

Watch HERE.

Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com is tracking all the St. Patrick’s Day festivities happening across the DMV, highlighting a multi-day celebration packed with food, drinks, and lively events. The festivities kick off early with several multi-day whiskey-focused celebrations featuring Irish favorites, Guinness, and classic dishes. On March 14, guests can enjoy a waterfront VIP Irish experience with whiskey tastings and live music, while neighborhood spots host all-day celebrations and themed events. Alexandria joins in with a city-wide bar crawl, and a long-running St. Baldrick’s Day event on March 15 offers a meaningful way to celebrate while raising funds for pediatric cancer research. On St. Patrick’s Day itself, iconic pubs across Capitol Hill and Northern Virginia deliver all-day parties filled with Irish music, whiskey, and community spirit. Nycci’s top advice: pace yourself, enjoy the hearty Irish fare, and remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

In this episode of Industry Night, host Nycci Nellis sits down with Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman, the founders of Dolcezza Gelato, one of Washington DC’s most beloved culinary brands. Recorded at the Washington Harbor favorite,Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place, the conversation explores how Dolcezza grew from a single gelato shop in Georgetown to a regional favorite known for its farm-driven flavors and commitment to sourcing from Mid-Atlantic producers.Since launching in 2004, Dolcezza has expanded to seven locations across the DMV and produces its gelato daily at the Union Market Gelato Factory & Coffee Lab. And yes, they talk about coffee and the ritual of that first teacup. No surprise with Robb & Violetta, this conversation goes deeper than dessert. Nycci talks with Robb and Violeta about creativity, sustainability, food culture, farming relationships, and their spiritual philosophy that shapes their approach to hospitality.Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.