Arlington Restaurants Nominated For 2021 RAMMY Awards

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington restaurants are among the finalists for the 2021 RAMMYs, the regional restaurant and food service awards held by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).

The annual awards honor the accomplishments of the DC region's restaurant and food service community. For this year only, the RAMMYs will include special categories that recognize the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and creative ways businesses have adapted. A few examples are Finer Dining in a Box honoring takeout meals, Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game celebrating creative takeout packaging, Most Impressive Pivot to Provisions or Market for restaurant operators providing provisions and other supplies, and Coolest Cocktails and Beverages To-Go. Another change this year was that RAMW membership was not required for nominations.

Lebanese Taverna, which has five locations around the DC area including Westover and National Landing, received a nomination in the Splendid Holidays at Home Offerings category. Nominees were recognized for providing creative carryout menus during the 2020 holiday season.

Khawla Gasmi of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar, & Eatery in Clarendon, was nominated in the Managers of the Year category. Chef David Guas was also nominated in the Good Neighbor category for his work with the Bayou Bakery Soup Kitchen's BEAN-EFIT.

Also receiving a Good Neighbor nods are Micheline Mendelsohn and Spike Mendelsohn for their work on the National Guard Inauguration. Spike Mendelsohn, of course, is famous for appearing on Top Chef. He's opened several restaurants in the DC area, including Good Stuff Eatery in Crystal City.

Great American Restaurants has a number of eateries around the DC area, including The Carlyle in Shirlington. The company impressed the nominators with its technological know-how in supporting virtual menus, online ordering, and contactless pickup. The company was nominated in the Technology Trailblazers category. Silver Diner, which has a restaurant on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon, was also nominated in this category.

Two companies with restaurants in Crystal City were recognized with Good Neighbor nominations. One is Peruvian Brothers, which operates The Stand, and the other is RASA.

Taco Bamba, which has an Arlington location, was also nominated for the Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go award. The restaurant concept offers Tres by Taco Bamba, dinner kits on select days that can be picked up from the Arlington location or delivered in select areas.

Chef José Andrés' Jaleo restaurant, which has several locations in the DC area including Crystal City, was nominated in the Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game category. Also nominated in that category is Liberty Tavern in Clarendon.

Stellina Pizzeria in Shirlington impressed the nominators with its technological know-how in supporting virtual menus, online ordering, and contactless pickup. The restaurant was nominated in the Technology Trailblazers category.

Nearly half of the award categories will be open to a public vote. Voting will be open from Aug. 2 to Sept. 2. Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go and Prime Pandemic Patio Scene are two of the categories the public can vote on.

Winners will be announced winners on Sept. 19 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. See the full list of 2021 RAMMY award finalists here.

Patch editor Emily Leayman contributed to the reporting of this story.