Ballston, Clarendon Restaurants Win RAMMYs

The 2016 RAMMY Awards have been announced, and a few Arlington spots won big.

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) held their 34th Annual RAMMY Awards ceremony at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to unveil the award winners in 22 categories, selecting restaurants based on the voting public and an anonymous panel of volunteer judges.

The voting public selected Northside Social Coffee & Wine in Clarendon in the category of "Favorite Gathering Place of the Year." The establishment, located at 3211 Wilson Boulevard, features comfy sofas, sandwiches, baked goods and, of course, plenty of coffee -- as well as a wine bar on the second floor.

The panel of judges consisting of food journalists, educators and food service industry professionals tapped Jonah Kim of noodle bar Yona in Ballston as the winner in the category of "Rising Culinary Star of the Year." Yona, located at 4000 Wilson Boulevard, serves ramen and Japanese and Korean small plates in a modern, minimalist atmosphere.

Located right next door to Yona at the same address is another RAMMY Award winner -- or, at least, one of several winners. Kapnos Taverna is the brainchild of Chef Mike Isabella, and his restaurants -- Kapnos Taverna in Ballston, Pepita also of Ballston, Kapnos in Washington, D.C., G in D.C., and Kapnos Kouzina in Bethesda, Md. -- have earned him the title of "Restauranteur of the Year."