Foodies from across the region gathered at The Anthem on Thursday, July 23, for Washingtonian’s highly anticipated annual Best of Washington tasting event. This year, The Anthem was electrified with rock-and-roll energy, complete with showstopping photo ops, exciting themed experiences, craft cocktails, endless bites, and a high-energy DJ set from DJ Little Rock/Mixing Maryland.
A record-breaking lineup of more than 85 of DC’s top restaurants, the most in the event’s history, served signature dishes throughout the evening. From beloved local gems to acclaimed dining destinations, the unprecedented selection gave guests the perfect opportunity to discover new culinary favorites.
Guests voted live throughout the evening for their favorite restaurant, and this year’s People’s Choice Award went to Canton Disco. Washingtonian’s food critics were also in attendance, secretly sampling bites throughout the night before naming The Dabney as the Critics’ Choice Award recipient.
Between savoring bites and sips, guests explored immersive sponsor lounges and interactive activations. Highlights included custom license plates and photo ops with the latest Cadillac LYRIQ-V, sketchbot pictures with United Bank, complimentary leather stamping and foiling by Right Place Studio on various giveaways in MGM’s lounge, aura photography with Soulshine Aura, unique temporary temporary tattoos provided by Jinx Proof Tattoos, and even an interactive passport activity and raffle for first class flights courtesy of United Airlines.
Our design partner, Design Foundry, helped bring this vision to life and our logistics team, Stratus Firm, coordinated key details with our participating restaurants and kept the evening running smoothly. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefitted World Central Kitchen.
Photographs by Dan Swartz/Revamp, Stacey Salter, Doug Van Sant, SideQuest Visuals, and Nina Palazzolo.
2000 guests gathered for an electric night at The Anthem. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.The Embassy of the State of Qatar’s Hamad Al Muftah, Washingtonian CEO Cathy Merrill, and Capitol Investment Corp’s Mark Ein. Photograph by Dan Swartz.United States Representative Nicole Malliotakis and American Beverage Association’s Kevin Keane. Photograph by Dan Swartz.The luxurious cadillac Visti-Q was on display for guests to explore. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Futurific Institute’s Rachel Goslins and the Embassy of the State of Qatar’s Legend Brumbaugh and Abdulaziz Al Khater. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Noelia Vargas, GM’s Omar Vargas, and Todd Newnam. Photograph by Dan Swartz.The United Airlines team. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.The Embassy of the State of Qatar’s Legend Brumbaugh, Washingtonian’s Susan Farkas and Cathy Merrill, The Embassy of the State of Qatar’s Hamad Al Muftah, Medal of Honor Recipient Will Swenson, and Green River Public Affairs’ Graham Miller. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Guests could play guitar hero during the event – the winner walked away with a trophy and Pacifico swag! Photograph by Stacey Salter.The NFL’s Roslyne Turner and her husband Derrick. Photograph by Dan Swartz.PwC’s Jeanelle Johnson and her husband Russ. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Attendees loved the cassette tape photo op. Photograph by Stacey Salter.The Bar Angie team provided tasty bites to our private reception guests. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s Shawn Townsend, The Alpine Group’s Keenan Austin Reed, and Andreessen Horowitz’ Michael Reed. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Noted Media’s Patrick Mellody, Punch Bowl’s Anna Palmer, Story Partners’ Gloria Dittus, Cynthia Stinger. Photograph by Dan Swartz.IWMF’s Charlotte Fox, The British Embassy’s James Harris, and USTR’s Christina Sevilla. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Tito’s had the perfect accessories to elevate guests’ looks. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.Blossom’s David Jack, Moki Media’s Dannia Hakki, Ronny Kitmetou, Moki Media’s Maha Hakki, and The Ned’s Joiwind Ronen. Photography by Dan Swartz.MGM’s moody lounge featured custom leather stamping and gold foiling on keychains, card holders, and more. Photograph by Dan Swartz.C-SPAN’s Sam Feist and his wife Danielle. Photograph by Dan SwartzThe United Bank team posed for a group pic during the party. Photograph by SideQuest Visuals.Attendees could pick custom designs to have placed on a free tote bag. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.Austin Stahle rocked out alongside DJ Little Rock. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.The Marcus DC team. Photograph by SideQuest Visuals.Guests got to enjoy a fun night out in DC. Photograph by SideQuest Visuals.The Royal Restaurant team with their signature dish. Photograph by Nina Palazzolo.Guests got a passport keepsake that they could get stamped and take home with them. Photograph by Stacey Salter.Versus’ Nikki Braden, Moki Media’s Dannia Haki, and Oritain’s Ben Tomkins. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Hines’ Tim Lowery and Fauquier Chamber of Commerce’s Benjamin Musser. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Canton Disco won the People’s Choice Award. Photograph by Stacey Salter.An attendee getting her aura photo taken. Photograph by Stacey Salter.Aver’s Lindsey Richardson, Siemens Healthineers’ Catherine Nabavi, FanDuel’s Jonathan Nabavi, National Association of Realtors’ Bennett Richardson, and NCA’s Christopher Gindlesperger. Photograph by Dan Swartz.United Bank provided partygoers with individualized portraits drawn by sketchbots. Photograph by Stacey Salter.The American Beverage Association provided guests with refreshments throughout the night at their Innovation Bar. Photograph by Stacey Salter.Piper was taking guests pics all night. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.DJ Little Rock kept the vibes high and kept the crowd on the dance floor. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.The Atlantic’s Shane Harris and Joe de Feo. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Temporary tattoos were a popular activity. Photograph by Stacey Salter.Fantastiks provided guests with a sweet treat at the event. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.El Tequileno tequila and Conniption Gin gave guests a sample of the different flavors. Photograph by Nina Palazzolo.The Dabney won our Critic’s Choice Award of the evening. Photograph by Nina Palazzolo.BluestoneLogic’s Davey Ahearn, National Association of Realtors’ Bennett Richardson, Washingtonian’s Susan Farkas, Advanced Advocacy’s Andrew Kovalcin, NCA’s Christopher Gindlesperger. Photograph by Dan Swartz.The Causa team with their dish. Photograph by Nina Palazzolo.Somenek + Pittman’s Michael Somenek and Michelle Wendt. Photograph by Dan Swartz.DC Vegan had an amazing spread of food. Photograph by Dan Swartz.JPMorgan’s Joe Koltz Keymari Johnson, Valon Tahiruka, and Zeshan Tahir. Photograph by Doug Van Sant.Michael Moroney, USA Today’s Francesca Chambers, Erica Anaya, and Coupang’s Bill Anaya. Photograph by Dan Swartz.GW’s Amir Afkhami, Hastie Afkhami, Punchbowl’s Anna Palmer. Photograph by Dan Swartz.Ticketbuyers could customize their own Cadillac license plates. Photograph by Stacey Salter.
