DC's Top Chefs And Restaurants Revealed At Rammy Finalists Announcement Party

Many of the stars of the Washington area's culinary community gathered to celebrate the rising success of the area's chefs and restaurants on Wednesday, March 22nd at IndeBleu, as WTOP's Man About Town Bob Madigan and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) revealed the 2006 RAMMY Restaurant Award finalists. Winners will be announced at the RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala, taking place on Sunday, June 25 at the Marriott Wardman Park.

"This year's RAMMY nominees have played a major role in creating the vibrant economy and exciting environment in the Washington metro area. That's why we chose 'restaurants rock' as the theme for this year's gala," said RAMW President Lynne Breaux.

RAMMY Awards Chair Gus DiMillo of Passion Food Hospitality added that restaurants also serve as the "rock" of the community, giving endless contributions and support to worthy causes throughout the year. Keeping with that tradition, partial proceeds from this year's RAMMY Awards will benefit the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's Education Foundation's new scholarship program that will help graduating high school students in the area pursue culinary careers. A portion of proceeds will also help displaced restaurant workers who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina through The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, administered by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

RAMMY Award finalists were selected by an anonymous panel of journalists and hospitality industry educators. The public will decide the winners of following four award categories. Votes can be cast through a special ballot appearing in The Washington Post Magazine on Sunday, May 21, and also online at www.ramw.org.
Finalists include:
Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Billy Martin's Tavern; Bus Boys & Poets; Cashion's Eat Place; Chef Geoff's (New Mexico Ave.); Evening Star Cafi
Hottest Bar Scene of the Year: Clyde's of Gallery Place; Degrees Bar & Lounge; Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar; Tabaq Bistro; Zaytinya
Power Spot of the Year: Bistro Bis; Capital Grille; Charlie Palmer Steak; The Caucus Room; The Prime Rib
Favorite Restaurant of the Year: (To be selected by the public)

The anonymous panel of esteemed judges will determine the winners of the following award categories.
Finalists include:
New Restaurant of the Year: Acadiana; Black Salt; Hank's Oyster Bar; IndeBleu; Willow Restaurant
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: 2941 Restaurant; Colvin Run Tavern; Equinox; Maestro; Restaurant Eve
Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year: Bangkok 54; Circle Bistro; Indique; Kaz Sushi Bistro; Zaytinya
Chef of the Year: Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve; Jonathan Krinn, 2941 Restaurant; Josi Andris, Jaleo/Cafi Atlantico/Zaytinya/Oyamel; Robert Wiedmaier, Marcel's; Todd Gray, Equinox
Restaurant Employee of the Year: Abdessam Ammani, Cafi Milano; Anthony Hesselius, The Melting Pot DC; Chris Kelley, Mie N Yu; Michael Finnerty, Old Ebbitt Grill; Santos Fuentes, Chef Geoff's
Pastry Chef of the Year: Heather Chittum, Michel Richard Citronelle; Huw Griffiths, Tabard Inn; Rita Garruba, Butterfield 9; Steve Klc, Jaleo/Cafi Atlantico/Zaytinya/Oyamel; Zoe Behrens, 1789 Restaurant
Wine and Beverage Program of the Year: Charlie Palmer Steak; Michel Richard Citronelle; Restaurant Eve; Taberna del Alabardero; Vidalia
Restaurant Manager of the Year: Christine de Clerfay, The Oceanaire Seafood Room; Danny Boylen, Notti Bianche; Emily Jarmuth, Mie N Yu; Stefanie Cove, Red Sage; Troy Bock, Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Anthony Chittum, Notti Bianche/Dish; Brendan Cox, Circle Bistro; Johnny Monis, Komi; Nathan Beauchamp, 1789 Restaurant; Santi Zabaleta, Taberna del Alabardero

In addition, RAMW Associate Member of the Year finalists were announced as