[FunnyJohn]

The Hoi Poloi are eligible to vote for three categories of the RAMMYS: Neighborhood Gathering Spot of the Year, Power Spot of the Year, and Hottest Bar Scene.
Some of our favorite places are in the running so go VOTE

Oh, and you can also write-in your choice for Favorite Restaurant

[shogun]

Why do they want your phone number?

[JPW]

shogun, on May 2 2005, 05:20 PM, said:

Why do they want your phone number?

An attempt to keep you from stuffing the ballot box.

[shogun]

Hopefully they're doing more than just that. I didn't give them my real number the first time, and unless they're keeping track by IP (like most polls), it won't be so hard to do it again!

[Jacques Gastreaux]

shogun, on May 3 2005, 09:49 AM, said:

Hopefully they're doing more than just that.  I didn't give them my real number the first time, and unless they're keeping track by IP (like most polls), it won't be so hard to do it again! 

If you want your vote to count, I suggest using your correct phone number. They may have technology that allows them to match names with phone numbers.

[FunnyJohn]

The phone numbers (assuming they can be verified) also keep the out of area potential voters from meddling, I guess. This is on the world-wide web and i would hope that the people running this don't want outsiders deciding this, having made it open to local consumers.

[shogun]

Jacques Gastreaux, on May 3 2005, 10:28 AM, said:

If you want your vote to count, I suggest using your correct phone number.  They may have technology that allows them to match names with phone numbers.

Yeah...the thing about that is....

Signed,
J. Albert Samuelson

(Alrightalrightalright...fine! I'll do it again.)

[DonRocks]

The Washington Post will be holding online chats with each of the six RAMW nominees for "Best Chef of the Year."

The first will be today at noon with our newest member, Cesare Lanfranconi of Tosca.

Click here for Cesare's chat.

[FunnyJohn]

I note that the Post erroneously asserts that "The public will decide the winners in three award categories, including Chef of the Year." The Chef of the Year is not one of the categories open to voting by regular folks.

[simdelish]

Thought someone might have posted this before now...but I'll go ahead. It's hard to know who's out there at these events... (maybe there should be a secret handshake?)

Went to the RAMMY preview party/fashion show night before last. They had blue cocktails from each of the nominated Hottest Bars, and hd'o 's from the best restaurant nominees. Also, very fun, some of the nominated chefs provided "entertainment" in modeling black-tie fashions to get everyone in the mood. Lots of catcalls from the audience...

Had a chance to catch up with Fabio, just back from Beard awards night before. He and Cathal were pal-ing around. I think Fabio was a bit punchy, but maybe that's his normal self. I've only talked to him at the restaurant, more staid surrounding.

Bar-wise here were the offerings: all were in pretty martini glasses, except Indebleu,served in balloon wine glass)

Indebleu: "BleuJack" (Southern comfort, Jack, Blue curacao, 7-up) on ice
Local 16: "Blue Lotus" pretty yummy concoction of Stoli Vanilla, Blue c, lychee puree, straight up in martini glass)
Helix: "Yellow polka dot bikini" (bacardi limon, blue c, shaker strained over a lemon head candy, very new wave looking)
Harry's TapRoom: "Harry's Sunshine" (stoli orange, splash sour mix, splash cran j, splash 7-up)
Ritz Carlton Georgetown: "Smurf Berry martini" (stoli razb, stoli strazb, blue c, splash cream, blueberry garnish on a pick, like an olive)

On the menu (here's the good part!)
Maestro: white asparagus mousse with red wine sauce drizzled on top, served in very cool oversized thick square shotglass, w/ demitasse spoon -INCREDIBLE
1789: Salmon rillettes on crispy baguette slices - DELICIOUS
2941: (had three, so I hung around the longest!)
1) salmon gravlax with pickled ramps and creme fraiche, (all mixed together) served on taro root chip - WONDERFUL
2) cured & smoked duck w/ lemon pear preserve, whole grain mustard vinaigrette, served on half endive leaf - pretty darn good
3) roquefort mousse studded with rehydrated dried cherry bits, rolled in very finely chopped pistachios - unusual, but also very good
Equinox: very sad little salmon tea sandwiches, dried out and tasteless,
but thankkfully also some yummy mini chocolate macarons
Tosca: minced lamb and black olive strudel (horrible and dry -- what were they thinking? Did anyone not taste them before they were served?)

In the fashion show, Ris, Marou, Bryan Voltaggio, Rob Klink, Cathal and Fabio modeled, among others. Fabio was quite the show-off (I have pictures!) and so was Cathal. These guys clean up quite well!!! Fun to see them outside of their element, and even more fun to see them trying to fit into a very different element (doing the catwalk like a model!)

[Tweaked]

Fabio Chat on Wash Post

[Tweaked]

Part of Washington Post's series with RAMMY nominated chefs.

http://www.washingto...5051500350.html

[Tweaked]

The Wash Post's 4th chat with RAMMY nominated chefs of the year.

http://www.washingto...5052001304.html

[Tweaked]

The last of Wash Post's online chats with RAMMY nominated chefs of the year.

http://www.washingto...5052701036.html

[FunnyJohn]

The perverse will of the people has been worked and Mie an Yu has been selected as "best restaurant". I voted for Mendocino. Who did you vote for?

This post has been edited by FunnyJohn: 06 June 2005 - 08:00 AM

[Stretch]

FunnyJohn, on Jun 6 2005, 08:59 AM, said:

The perverse will of the people has been worked and Mie an Yu has been selected as "best restaurant".

This is without doubt the worst voting decision made in this country in the last 214 days.

[Principia]

FunnyJohn, on Jun 6 2005, 08:59 AM, said:

The perverse will of the people has been worked and Mie an Yu has been selected as "best restaurant".  I voted for Mendocino.  Who did you vote for?

Mie N Yu as best restaurant? What color is the sky on their planet?

[Kanishka]

Mie n Yu? I mean, they'd definitely be a contender for best bathrooms in DC, but best restaurant? I call shenaningans.

Where can I get a list of all the winners?

K

[Mark Slater]

Kanishka, on Jun 6 2005, 10:16 AM, said:

Mie n Yu? I mean, they'd definitely be a contender for best bathrooms in DC, but best restaurant? I call shenaningans.

Where can I get a list of all the winners?

K

NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING PLACE:Cafe Saint-Ex
HOTTEST BAR SCENE: IndeBleu
POWER SPOT: Cafe Milano
FAVORITE RESTAURANT: based on public input--no nominees:MIE N YU

The judges panel decided these awards:
NEW RESTAURANT: CityZen
FINE DINING: Ristorante Tosca
INFORMAL DINING: Johnny's Half Shell
CHEF of the YEAR: Fabio Trabocchi (Maestro)

EMPLOYEE: Efrain Velasco (Andale)
PASTRY CHEF: Chris Kujula (Kinkead's)
WINE & BEVERAGE PROGRAM: Maestro
MANAGER: Tricia Kominsky (Poste)
RISING CULINARY STAR:Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve)
WHERE MAGAZINE AWARD:Mimi's American Bistro

This post has been edited by Mark Slater: 06 June 2005 - 10:12 AM

[FunnyJohn]

Kanishka, on Jun 6 2005, 10:16 AM, said:

Mie n Yu? I mean, they'd definitely be a contender for best bathrooms in DC, but best restaurant? I call shenaningans.

Where can I get a list of all the winners?

K

Seem to be a little slow in updating their website -- no winners posted yet but click
here later today. I heard Indebleu made "hottest bar scene." Cafe Milano "Power Spot". Those are the only ones I can recall. None of the establishments I voted for won

This post has been edited by FunnyJohn: 06 June 2005 - 10:11 AM

[mdt]

Quote

INFORMAL DINING: Johnny's Half Shell

Am I missing something here? While good, I have never been that impressed by my meals there.

Maybe it was discussed up thread, but how do places get nominated for these awards?

[FunnyJohn]

mdt, on Jun 6 2005, 11:16 AM, said:

Am I missing something here?  While good, I have never been that impressed by my meals there.

Maybe it was discussed up thread, but how do places get nominated for these awards?

By an opaque process inside the RAMW org. But it's awfully decent of them to allow us mere customers to actually select the winner in a few of the categories.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Kanishka, on Jun 6 2005, 10:16 AM, said:

Mie n Yu? I mean, they'd definitely be a contender for best bathrooms in DC, but best restaurant? I call shenaningans.

Where can I get a list of all the winners?

K

It would not surprise me to learn that the restaurant lobbied its customers.

[Al Dente]

Jacques Gastreaux, on Jun 6 2005, 11:27 AM, said:

It would not surprise me to learn that the restaurant lobbied its customers.

Lobbyists...

[Nadya]

Mie N Yu???? WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE ARSE????


I can't believe this. Must go gorge self on Palena burger tonight to recover from this massive injustice. Cannot effing believe this. This, as they say in Guyanese parlance, are Events of a Dubious Nature.

If I had relatives from the provinces, I would take them to Mie N Yu for a wee tour to impress them with their bathrooms of splendor. But I would not allow them to eat there. Not in the bathroom, not in the dining room. Cheeky bastards. That's why people think we are a cowhick ignorant food town. Because donkeys like MNY are allowed to be known for their food.

This post has been edited by Nadya: 06 June 2005 - 05:11 PM

[Jacques Gastreaux]

The guys (Chef Cathal and Todd) at Eve looked like they had been "shot at and missed and sh*t at and hit" when they dragged their sagging arses into work yesterday evening at around 6:30. A little celebrating the evening before, perhaps?

[Mark Slater]

Jacques Gastreaux, on Jun 7 2005, 10:14 AM, said:

The guys (Chef Cathal and Todd) at Eve looked like they had been "shot at and missed and sh*t at and hit" when they dragged their sagging arses into work yesterday evening at around 6:30.  A little celebrating the evening before, perhaps?

There was a wee after party at the Bistrot du Coin. Most of us losers were there. There was a huge shout when Cathal and crew walked in. They were the only ones who won there.

[DonRocks]

You might not have won the Rammy this year, Mr. Slater, but you're hardly a loser.

These things are subject to whims and politics, and in reality, your beverage program is as good as anyones in the city.

[DonRocks]

In case anyone is interested, here's a nomination form for the 2006 RAMMYS - nominations are due by close-of-business Tuesday.

Cheers,
Rocks

Attached File(s)

•  RAMMYS.pdf (447.29K)
  Number of downloads: 82

[Meaghan]

Hey, is ROCK! a verb or an adjective? They stole ROCK.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Wasn't it Samuel Clemens who commented something to the effect that he would not belong to any club that would have him as a member?

[mdt]

Jacques Gastreaux, on Jan 16 2006, 09:12 PM, said:

Wasn't it Samuel Clemens who commented something to the effect that he would not belong to any club that would have him as a member?

Think it was Groucho Marx.

[Michael Landrum]

Jacques Gastreaux, on Jan 16 2006, 10:12 PM, said:

Wasn't it Samuel Clemens who commented something to the effect that he would not belong to any club that would have him as a member?

How about not belonging to a club that uses award nominations as a bribe/threat to coerce non-members into joining?