The RAMMYS Drop the Mic: Semi-Finalists Are Here (Yes, All of Them)

Well, this is new, and we are here for it.

For the first time ever, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington has pulled back the curtain early and released the full list of RAMMYS Semi-Finalists ahead of the big reveal. That means, more recognition and a whole lot more buzz as we head into awards season in Washington, D.C..

Traditionally, we’ve had to wait for finalists to drop to start making our predictions (and reservations), but this year? We get the full field across 19 categories, giving us a deeper look at the chefs, restaurateurs, beverage pros, and front-of-house stars shaping our region’s dining scene right now.

And make no mistake,, this list reads like a who’s who of the DMV. Over the course of a few days in March, semi-finalists were announced category by category, building anticipation for what comes next: the narrowing down to finalists, and ultimately, the winners who will take the stage this summer.

Let’s get into it:

New Restaurant of the Year

Chai Pani
Barbouzard
Isla
Maison Bar à Vins
Elmina
Tapori
The Occidental
Casamara
Marcus DC
Minetta Tavern

Rising Culinary Star

Paolo Dungca, Kayu
Guy-Rene Gerin, L'Ardente
Hamilton Johnson, Mallard
Anthony Jones, Marcus DC
Alam Mendez, Apapacho Taqueria
Ria Montes, Fish Shop
Sebastian Moreno, elcielo
Robbie Reyes, Lucky Danger
Jarrad Silver, Silver and Sons BBQ
Martel Stone, Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi

Wine Program of the Year

a.kitchen+bar DC
Bourbon Steak DC
Cork Wine Bar & Market
CUT by Wolfgang Puck
Fiola
Lulu's Wine Bar
Lutèce
Maydan
Primrose
Sixty Vines

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year

Anju

Aventino Cucina
Casa Teresa
Cucina MORINI
Joon
Moon Rabbit
NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese
Osteria Mozza
Pascual
Perry's

Manager of the Year

Avery Beach, Mandu
Trisha Custodio, Sfoglina Van Ness
Kelly Duong, KÝOJIN Sushi
Kenia Euceda, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
George Forman III, Philippe Chow
Todd Hunt, Oak Steakhouse Alexandria
Boo Kim, RPM Italian DC
Lauren Montana, Pizzeria Paradiso
Debby Portillo, 2fifty Texas BBQ
Juan Ramirez, Bastille Brasserie & Bar

Employee of the Year

Ingrid Arteaga, Open Road
Estela Catarino, Ama
Kodjo "Olivier" Etenda, The Popal Group
Adam Mathews, a.kitchen + bar DC
Jose Martinez, MITA
Jackie Mason, Willowsong
Raul Pineda, Perry's
Daren Prasad, Chloe
Damali Saddler, Apero & La Bohème
Jose Luis Salgado, Zinnia

Beer Program of the Year

Astro Beer Hall
B-Side
Franklin Hall
Lost Generation Brewing Company
Pizzeria Paradiso
Prost
Red Bear Brewing
Right Proper Brewing Company
Solace Outpost
Wunder Garten

Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year

Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit
Ligia Barros, CUT by Wolfgang Puck
Lizzy Evelyn, Ellẽ
Genesis Flores, Seven Reasons Group
Bridie McCulla, Northside Social
Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery
Ana Sofía Pino, Lutèce
Rachel Sherriffe, Marcus DC
Gianpier Pineda, The Occidental
Jessica Leung, Osteria Mozza

Cocktail Program of the Year

Amazonia
barmini by José Andrés
Cucina MORINI
Death and Co.
El Secreto de Rosita
Moon Rabbit
Pascual
Rania
Resident's Café & Bar
Your Only Friend

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

Albi
The Dabney
Del Mar
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi
Elyse
minibar by José Andrés
Pineapple and Pearls
Rania
Rooster and Owl
SHIA

Service Program of the Year

Causa
Elyse
Filomena
ilili
Imperfecto
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak, & Stone Crab
MITA
Old Ebbitt Grill
Perry's
Xiquet by Danny Lledó

Chef of the Year

Eric Adjepong, Elmina
Matt Adler, Red Hen and Caruso's Grocery
Amy Brandwein, Centrolina and Piccolina
Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, Lutèce and Pascual
Cédric Maupillier, Barbouzard
Jason Galbao, Alahambra
Rubén García, Casa Teresa
Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA
Jeremiah Langhorne, The Dabney
Jova Urriola, Colada Shop

Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year

Andy's Pizza
Apapacho Taqueria
Bantam King
Call Your Mother
Colada Shop
Joia Burger
Queen Mother's Kitchen
San Pancho
Stellina Pizzeria
Yellow

Casual Restaurant of the Year

ala
Ama
Duke's Grocery
Ellē
I Egg You
La Bonne Vache
Purple Patch
Taquería Xochi
The Falls
Tsehay Ethiopian

Restaurateur of the Year

David Deshaies, Garden Hospitality
Fernando González, 2fifty Texas BBQ
Téa Ivanovic & Peter Schechter, Immigrant Food
Enrique Limardo & Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, Seven Reasons Group
Kwame Onwuachi, Dōgon
The Popal Family, The Popal Group
Michael Rafidi, Albi, Yellow, La' Shukran
Daniella Senior, Colada Shop
Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group
Vikram Sunderam, Rasika, Malabar, Bindaas

Best Bar

Cana
CODE RED
El Presidente
The Green Zone
Moonraker
Press Club
The Salt Line
Service Bar
Silver Lyan
Whitlow's

Best Brunch

Ambar
Blue Duck Tavern
Café Riggs
dLeña
I Egg You
Matt & Tony's
Neutral Ground
Ruthie's All Day
The Pembroke
Unconventional Diner

Favorite Gathering Place

Balos
Boundary Stone
Cafe Milano
Jane Jane
Le Diplomate
Martin's Tavern
metrobar
Old Ebbitt Grill
SOST
Stan's Restaurant

Hottest Sandwich Spot

2fifty Texas BBQ
Bub and Pop's
Celebrity Delly
Fossette Focacceria
Honeymoon Chicken
Joia Burger
Queen Mother's
Silver and Sons BBQ
Soko Butcher
Your Only Friend

Now that we’ve got the full semi-finalist slate, all eyes turn to the next big moment: Finalists will be announced on April 6 at The Hamilton Live.

From there, the countdown begins to the 44th Annual RAMMYS Awards & Gala, happening June 29 at Arena Stage with a post-party at The Anthem.

Stay tuned. Reservations are about to get even harder to snag.