Georgetown Gets Its Due: Fiola Mare Named ‘New Restaurant of the Year’ Among Other Rammys
• June 22, 2015

The Rammy awards proclaimed Fiola Mare as this year’s best new restaurant in Washington, D.C. The Washington Harbour-based seafood restaurant, which opened its doors in Februrary 2014, beat contenders Crane & Turtle, the Partisan, Republica and TICO to earn top marks.

The Rammy is the latest honor for chef-owner Fabio Trabocchi’s eatery, which has made a splash since its debut. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have dined there. Fiola Mare was featured in the March 12, 2014, Georgetowner with Trabocchi and his wife Maria shown on the cover.

The Italian-inspired cuisine has also launched Fiola Mare onto Washingtonian’s Best Restaurants list, Wine Enthusiast’s Best Wine Restaurants. The restaurant was named Zagat’s Best Restaurant in D.C.

Trabocchi’s menu highlights an extensive wine list, seafood dishes like lobster ravioli and elegant Italian pastries.

The husband-wife team manages two other D.C. restaurants, Fiola and Casa Luca, located in the Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Square neighborhoods, respectively.

Sponsored by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the 33rd annual Rammy awards honored local chefs and restaurants in 21 different categories.

Aside from Fiola Mare, three other Georgetown-area establishments—Bourbon Steak,Pizzeria Paradiso and Capella Hotel —were selected for Cocktail Program of the Year, Beer Program of the Year, and Pastry Chef of the Year for Agnes Chin of the Grill Room at the Capella.

To learn more about Chef Fabio and Maria Trabocchi, click here

As provided by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the following is a complete list of winners of the 33rd Annual Rammy Awards:

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: EagleBank

Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award: Herbert Miller, Western Development Corporation, Chairman & CEO

Restaurant Employee of the Year: Evan Labb, Evening Star Cafe

Restaurant Manager of the Year: Joseph Cerione, Blue Duck Tavern

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: George Pagonis, Kapnos

Service Program of the Year: Marcel’s by Robert Wiedmaier

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company

Favorite Gathering Place: Bar Pilar

Upscale Casual Brunch: Le Diplomate

Everyday Casual Brunch: The Daily Dish

Favorite Fast Bites: Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

Upscale Casual Restaurant: Mintwood Place

Everyday Casual Restaurant: DGS Delicatessen

Beer Program of the Year: Pizzeria Paradiso, Georgetown

Cocktail Program of the Year: Bourbon Steak

Wine Program of the Year: Iron Gate

Pastry Chef of the Year: Agnes Chin, The Grill Room

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant: The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

New Restaurant of the Year: Fiola Mare

Restaurateur of the Year: José Andrés and Rob Wilder, ThinkFoodGroup

Chef of the Year: Victor Albisu, Del Campo and Taco Bamba

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Gifts for Dad
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With Father’s Day right around the corner, many of us are scrambling to find the gift that best suits that special guy. Georgetown’s shops offer something for every dad. From light, casual pieces perfect for summer to sleek, stylish accessories for polished businessmen, finding the right Father’s Day gift has never been easier. Here are our suggestions [gallery ids="102110,133823,133827,133819,133831,133834,133840,133837" nav="thumbs"]

Must-See DC Jazz Festival Shows
• June 18, 2015

Navigating a festival lineup can be hard, especially for an event as expansive as DC Jazz Festival. Here are some of The Georgetowner’s picks for this weekend:

Notable shows to catch include vocalist-guitarist duo Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke performing at Bohemian Caverns on U Street at 7:30 p.m. on June 11, soulful singer Alison Crockett on June 12 at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage at 6:00 p.m., and The Bad Plus Joshua Redman. The latter artist–a trio comprised of pianist Ethan Iverson, drummer David King, and bassist Reid Anderson—brings along saxophonist Joshua Redman for their June 12 performance at The Hamilton Live. It should be noted that the 8:30 p.m. show is sold out of seated tickets, with standing room only tickets available.

The weekend’s lineup is an exciting one, as Hecht Warehouse is hosting the Ernest Khabeer Dawkins Orchestra and the Organix Trio, comprised of flutist Nicole Mitchell, cellist Tomeka Reid, and drummer Mike Reed, in celebration of AACM’s 50th birthday on June 13. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Also June 13 is the jam-packed line-up of Marshall Keys, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, and Grammy award-winners Esperanza Spalding and Common performing at the Yards Park from 3:00-10:00 p.m.

Seven-member band The Cookers performs an 8:00 p.m. show June 14 at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, bringing both charisma and generational experience to their showmanship.

Alto saxophonist Bruce Williams takes stage at UDC, along with the school’s jazz program director Allyn Johnson and the UDC Jazztet for a 7:00 p.m. show on June 15.

The D.C. Jazz Festival runs from June 10-16, featuring over 125 performances at 40 different venues. See the full event schedule here.

American News Women’s Club: Everybody Loves Norah
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Journalists, family and fans met June 11 at the National Press Club for the American News Women’s Club’s 21st Annual Roast, which honored “CBS This Morning” host Norah O’Donnell with its “Excellence in Journalism Award.” There were lots of laughs with O’Donnell, but it was Bob Schieffer who stole the show.
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