WASHINGTON, DC — The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington recently announced the list of DC restaurants up for RAMMY awards this year. The RAMMY awards celebrate one of Metropolitan Washington's greatest assets: its restaurants. According to a statement, the awards honor "the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the region's restaurants and foodservice community."

The winners are announced at the 35th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala on Sunday, July 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The first category is "Favorite Gathering Place of the Year." To be eligible for this award, restaurants must be a RAMW member and be open for two years before Dec. 31, 2016.

According to the criteria, "this nominee is a restaurant rooted in its neighborhood where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends repeatedly. The great atmosphere and good vibes are as important as the food and drink." The DC restaurants nominated in this category are: Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen in Brookland; Lauriol Plaza in Dupont Circle; Pearl Dive Oyster Palace in Logan Circle and Petworth Citizen & Reading Room in Petworth. The Front Porch at Evening Star Cafe in Alexandria was also nominated.

This is what #happyhourdc is supposed to look like!!! Oh, it's #OysterMania Monday too. #Oysters on the half shell are 2 for 1!! #bythings #dcitystyle #dcdining #dcfoodporn #dc #igdc #wedc #dcrising via @jasmine__chan

A post shared by Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (@pearldivedc) on Mar 27, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT

A post shared by Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (@pearldivedc) on Mar 27, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT The next category is "Upscale Brunch of the Year." Restaurants nominated for this award demonstrate a "high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in an upscale environment." The nominees must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2016.

The nominees include: Convivial in Shaw; Del Campo in Chinatown; Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier in Foggy Bottom and The Source by Wolfgang Puck in Penn Quarter. The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville, VA was also nominated.

Thank you @masterwilliams for a superb #brunch picture! ・・・ Sunday Brunch \\ So Good. • #mwxdc #convivialphotocontest #acreativedc

A post shared by Convivial (@convivialrestaurant) on Jan 7, 2017 at 7:09pm PST

A post shared by Convivial (@convivialrestaurant) on Jan 7, 2017 at 7:09pm PST Other categories include: Casual Brunch of the Year, Favorite Fast Bites of the Year, Cocktail Program of the Year, Beer Program of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, Service Program of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Rising Culinary Star of the Year, Casual Restaurant of the Year, Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year, New Restaurant of the Year, Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year and Restaurateur of the Year.



The public can vote for these restaurants online through May 31 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced July 30 at a black tie gala.