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.

For the first time ever, Industry Night goes international. Host Nycci Nellis travels to Montréal for Montréal en Lumière, one of the world’s most celebrated winter festivals, a city-wide celebration of food, art, music, and culture that transforms the Quartier des Spectacles into a glowing playground in the heart of winter.During the festival, more than 80 restaurants participate in the Air France Finest Tables program, chefs take to the streets in the Village Gourmand, and the legendary Nuit Blanche keeps the city buzzing until sunrise with hundreds of cultural events.While exploring Montréal’s dynamic hospitality scene, Nycci sits down with some of the people shaping the city’s culinary conversation.In this episode of Industry Night, meet:Yves Lowe– Executive Chef & Gastronomy Programming Manager for Montréal en Lumière, discussing the scale of the festival, 90+ world-class chefs from 17 countries, and this year’s theme:A Taste of History – 65 Years of Montréal Gastronomy.Vanya Filipovic – Co-owner and Wine Director of Mon Lapin, winner of North America’s Best Sommelier 2025 (North America’s 50 Best Restaurants) and part of the team behind Mon Lapin’s #2 ranking on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. We talk about natural wine, global recognition, Michelin’s arrival in Québec, and Montréal’s evolving identity.Ari Schor – Chef and co-owner of Beba, ranked #50 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. Ari shares his journey from Argentina to Montréal, the influence of immigration and family history on his cooking, and what it means to run a restaurant rooted in memory.David Lepage – Executive Chef of Hoogan et Beaufort, whose international résumé includes Daniel Boulud’s Daniel and Café Boulud, and Mauro Colagreco’s London kitchen. We discuss wood-fired cuisine, mentorship, returning home, and Montréal’s ingredient-driven future.From award-winning restaurants to one of the world’s most vibrant winter festivals, this episode dives into the culture, creativity, and community that make Montréal one of North America’s great food cities.Subscribe for more conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs, beverage experts, and hospitality leaders shaping how and why we eat.Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.