Cheers to the Downtown restaurants and industry darlings who received top culinary honors at the recent Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) RAMMY Awards! Five DowntownDC BID area heavy hitters were recognized at the annual awards gala often dubbed the “Oscars of Washington, DC Area Restaurants.” The 2013 winners took the top prize in four of 18 categories, which included three special awards—the Joan Hisaoka Associate Member, the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award and the Honorary Milestone—presented to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, civic leader Linda Lee and Clyde’s of Georgetown, respectively.
They Downtown winners are:
Chef – Fabio Trabocchi of Fiola (601 Pennsylvania Avenue)
Restaurateur – Ashok Bajaj of Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (633 D Street), which owns Rasika (633 D Street), Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca (1100 New York Avenue), 701 (701 Pennsylvania Avenue) and NoPa Bar + Kitchen (800 F Street)
Restaurant Manager – Michael Nevarez of Bistro Bis (located in Hotel George at 15 E Street) and Woodward Table (1426 H Street)
Restaurant Employee of the Year – Luis Noriega, Zengo (781 7th Street)
Linda Lee, the former owner of Hunan Chinatown restaurant (624 H Street), was first announced as the recipient of this year’s Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award at a reception in April, where she was acknowledged again for her commitment to the community.
The RAMMY awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and excellence in the Metropolitan Washington restaurant industry. The DowntownDC BID was proud to serve again this year as a patron sponsor of the 31th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala and Fundraiser, held on Sunday, June 23. For more information and a complete list of winners, visit RAMW’s website.