The local hospitality industry showered its members with love last night, feting a diverse fraternity of food slingers — only a handful of which ring the Capitol.

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington won’t officially crown the winners in its various dining categories until June 23, but the group got tongues wagging by rolling out its latest slate of nominees at a glitzy soiree held at the cavernous Hamilton.

Neighborhood spots in contention for top honors include:

• Johnny’s Half Shell – Power Spot of the Year nominee
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck – Power Spot of the Year nominee
• Hank’s on the Hill – Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year nominee

The public is privy to voting in both of those categories (along with the Neighborhood Gathering Place section); ballots can be cast via ramw.org, washingtoncitypaper.com and the individual restaurant websites from April 4-18.

In the meantime, we’re wondering what other Capitol Hill eateries you’d have tossed into the awards mix.

2013 RAMMY Finalists

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in food, service and atmosphere, and shows dedication to sophisticated culinary techniques in a fine dining environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 1, 2012.

• The Ashby Inn & Restaurant
• Blue Duck Tavern
• The Bombay Club
• Marcel’s
• Rasika

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year

The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service in an upscale casual environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 1, 2012.

• Birch and Barley
• Cork Wine Bar
• Estadio
• Jaleo – Penn Quarter
• KAZ Sushi Bistro

Casual Restaurant of the Year

The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service and value in a casual environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 1, 2012.

• Bar Pilar
• Bayou Bakery
• C. F. Folks
• Nando’s Peri-Peri
• Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year

This nominee is a restaurant that has established itself as a “Great Good Place” with a congenial atmosphere rooted in its neighborhood. The nominee must have been open for at least 5 years prior to December 1, 2012.

• Ardeo + Bardeo
• Bastille
• Evening Star Café
• Nellie’s Sports Bar
• Willow Restaurant

New Restaurant of the Year

A restaurant that must have been opened between December 1, 2011 and November 30, 2012 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and service.

• Boqueria
• DGS Delicatessen
• Fuego Cocina y Tequileria
• Mintwood Place
• Rasika West End

Chef of the Year

The nominee is an executive chef or chef de cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of culinary excellence. The nominee displays a dedication to the artistry of food and may be from any type of establishment. The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.

• Tony Conte – The Oval Room
• Haidar Karoum – Estadio/Proof
• Tarver King – The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
• Cedric Maupillier – Mintwood Place
• Fabio Trabocchi – Fiola

Rising Culinary Star of the Year

The nominee is an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years.

• Scot Harlan – Green Pig Bistro
• Tim Ma – Maple Avenue Restaurant
• Marjorie Meek-Bradley – Ripple
• John Melfi – Blue Duck Tavern
• Nathan Shapiro – The Ashby Inn and Restaurant

Pastry Chef of the Year

The nominee is a restaurant pastry chef who prepares desserts and baked goods and demonstrates a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. The nominee serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee must have been a pastry chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.

• Beverly Bates – Vidalia
• Peter Brett – Blue Duck Tavern
• Alison Reed – Ripple
• Susan Wallace – BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant
• Tom Wellings – Fiola

Wine Program of the Year

The member restaurant is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program. The wine program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the dining experience and the nominee continues to break new ground in education of its staff. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of two years by December 1, 2012.

• Adour
• The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
• Dino
• Marcel’s
• Ripple

Beverage/Mixology Program of the Year

The member restaurant is distinguished by the quality, diversity, creativity, clarity and value of its beverage program. The nominee’s beverage program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the restaurant experience. The nominated restaurant must have been in operation for a minimum of two years.

• Birch & Barley/Churchkey
• Bourbon Steak
• EatGoodFood Group
• Rasika
• Room 11

Power Spot of the Year

This nominee is frequented by movers and shakers and decision makers. It best exemplifies how the region and nation’s capital works.

• The Bombay Club
• Johnny’s Half Shell
• P. J. Clarke’s
• Seasons
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck

Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year

This nominee is a member restaurant or hotel bar that is innovative with an energetic scene (atmosphere, drink menu, etc.) with a hip and eclectic crowd and is a great people watching and meeting place.

• Bar Pilar
• Fiola
• Fuego Cocina y Tequileria
• Hank’s Oyster Bar – Capitol Hill
• Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Restaurateur of the Year

The nominee must be a working restaurateur or restaurant group who sets high standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of 5 years in the Metropolitan Washington area.

• José Andrés & Rob Wilder – THINKFoodGROUP
• Meshelle & Cathal Armstrong – EatGoodFood Group
• Michael Babin – Neighborhood Restaurant Group
• Ashok Bajaj – Knightsbridge Restaurant Group
• Drew Kim, Mark Neal and Ty Neal – Matchbox Food Group