RAMMY Voting Underway

Chef Robert Wiedmaier is nominated for Chef of the Year. His Brasserie Beck is nominated for New Restaurant of the Year and Hottest Bar Scene of the Year. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Forget the national election. Yesterday the polls opened in a local voting contest -- the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's 2008 RAMMY Awards. From now until Friday, May 30, area diners can cast votes for their favorite restaurants.

The RAMMY Awards, a tradition in this area for 26 years, celebrate the best in local dining. A panel of anonymous judges decides the winner of categories like New Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year and Rising Culinary Star of the Year. Since 2004, the dining public has been able to have its say as well. We can weigh in on the following categories:

Neighborhood Gathering Place
Ardeo, Belga Cafe, Billy Martin's Tavern, Hank's Oyster Bar (D.C.) and Mark & Orlando's

Hottest Bar Scene of the Year
Brasserie Beck, Central Michel Richard, Poste Moderne Brasserie, Proof and The Source by Wolfgang Puck

Power Spot of the Year
Bistro Bis, Charlie Palmer Steak, The Monocle on Capitol Hill, Seasons at Four Seasons Hotel (D.C.) and The Oceanaire Seafood Room

The public can also write in votes for a great area restaurant with the Voter's Choice category. Cast a ballot on the RAMW site or use the ballot in yesterday's Washington Post Magazine. (The site will ask for your e-mail address, but it'll only be used to make sure each e-mail address only gets one vote.) Winners will be annouced at the RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala, which takes place at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Sunday, June 29. Tickets for the dinner and reception are a hefty $250, but some proceeds from the event benefit culinary and hospitality education programs.

--Julia