Seven Arlington and Falls Church restaurants have been announced as finalists in the the 43rd annual RAMMY Awards.
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced local nominees for categories including Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year, Wine Program of the Year and Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year at a ceremony last night (Monday).
This year’s finalists also include several local restaurateurs and one Falls Church-based hospitality group.
Finalist restaurants
Stellina Pizzeria
Category: Casual Restaurant of the Year
Founded by Italian restaurateur Antonio Matarazzo and Chef Matteo Venini, this renowned D.C.-area pizzeria is considered one of the best artisan pizza chains in the world, according to 2024 rankings from 50 Top Pizza. It also received Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand designations in 2020 and 2024.
Stellina offers 11 signature “Neo-Neapolitan” pies, plus paninis, pasta, salad and desserts. In Shirlington, the “social brunch” special includes $1.50 drinks and bottomless spritzes and mimosas.
2800 S. Randolph Street (Shirlington) and 1700 N. Moore Street (Rosslyn)
The Falls
Category: Casual Restaurant of the Year
The Liberty Tavern Restaurant Group‘s newest eatery opened in late 2023, offering mid-Atlantic and Southern cuisine. The newcomer captured the Best Taste Award at the Taste of Falls Church festival event last September for its pastrami with sauerkraut and shrimp and grits.
It recently debuted a new “Share & Pair” wine tasting program, set to run every Sunday throughout April and May.
370 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
Andy’s Pizza
Category: Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year
The acclaimed D.C.-area favorite just opened its new Virginia Square location earlier this month. The pizzeria’s cheese pie took home traditional division gold at the annual 2021 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, after facing off against pizza shops from across the globe.
901 N. Pollard Street (Virginia Square)
Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique
Category: Wine Program of the Year
This wine bar, boutique and bistro offers a wide-ranging bottle selection as well as baked goods. Award-winning restaurateur and founder Zena Polin hosts a monthly Bellezza Wine Club. At $48 per month, members receive personally selected wines, food pairings, retail discounts and other perks.
Polin also curates cases of wine for clients’ private events through a “wine concierge” service.
576 S. 23rd Street (Crystal City)
Atlas Brew Works
Category: Beer Program of the Year
This environmentally conscious brewery’s drafts are made in a 100% solar-powered D.C. facility. Atlas has three taprooms across D.C. and Alexandria, with a fourth location inside Reagan National Airport.
Atlas offers two seasonal, rotating drafts at its airport restaurant, in addition to the Silent Neighbor Stout. The brew with notes of rye, chocolate and roasted barley captured bronze and gold awards at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and the 2023 World Beer Cup.
2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Road (Reagan National Airport)
Astro Beer Hall
Category: Beer Program of the Year
This Shirlington mainstay hosts a regular happy hour with $4 on select drafts. Its beer menu includes 27 different domestic brews, from PBRs to locally sourced drafts made in D.C., Alexandria, Falls Church and Manassas.
4001 Campbell Avenue (Shirlington)
Queen Mother’s
Category: Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year
This isn’t the first time Queen Mother’s has been nominated for Hottest Sandwich Spot. The acclaimed fried chicken restaurant by Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper was nominated for the same category last year and in 2022.
The eatery began on Columbia Pike in 2020, through a restaurant incubator program by La Cocina VA (now Kitchen of Purpose). Today, Queen Mother’s serves its famous fried chicken and crinkle-cut duck fat fries at the Water Park in Crystal City.
1711 Crystal Drive (Crystal City)
People and groups
Rachel Sherriffe (Ellie Bird)
Category: Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year
125 Founders Avenue (Falls Church)
Téa Ivanovic (Immigrant Food)
Category: Restaurateur of the Year
4245 Fairfax Drive (Ballston)
Cici Yang (Yume Sushi)
Category: Restaurateur of the Year
2121 N. Westmoreland Street (East Falls Church)
Metropolitan Hospitality Group
Category: Restaurant Manager of the Year
Multiple locations, including Salt, Open Road Grill and Circa at Clarendon.
Winners will be revealed at the 2025 RAMMYS Awards in August.
Recap: Last year’s local RAMMY winners
- Ellie Bird, New Restaurant of the Year
- Bar Chinois, Best Bar (coming soon to Crystal City)
- Colada Shop, Hottest Sandwich Shop
- Long Shot Hospitality Group (The Salt Line), Restaurateur of the Year
This story has been updated to correct a misspelling of Téa Ivanovic’s last name.
