Express Night Out Names 2011 Best of DC Dining

Today Express Night Out has released its best of DC special issue, which includes picks for dining and nightlife. The paper has also introduced its first-ever Hall of Fame picks, a list of six people and places that apparently tend to crush the competition every year. None other than José Andrés gets top billing there, followed by Ben's Chili Bowl and Busboys and Poets.

Meanwhile, the nightlife awards go to: PS 7's Gina Chersevani (best bartender), the Passenger (best fancy bar), Dan's Cafe (best casual bar), Nellie's (best gay bar and best sports bar), Urbana (best happy hour), along with a few other categories.

And, finally, there's the dining section, which was broken down into 28 categories from best new restaurant and best chef to things like best cupcake and best sushi. Notably, Michel Richard was named chef of 2011 and Mike Isabella's Graffiato took the honors for best new restaurant. Here's the list:

Vegetarian: Sticky Fingers
Indian: Rasika
Thai: Thai Chef
Seafood: Hank's Oyster Bar
Ethiopian: Dukem
Sushi: Sushi Taro
Dim Sum: Ping Pong Dim Sum
Pho: Pho 75
South/Central American: Oyamel
Middle Eastern: Zaytinya
Cupcake: Georgetown Cupcake
Pie: Baltimore Bomb
Brunch: Founding Farmers
Burger: Ray's Hell Burger
Frozen Treat: Dolcezza
Food Truck: Red Hook Lobster Pound
New Restaurant: Graffiato
Restaurant Owned by a Top Chef Contestant: Volt
Beer List: ChurchKey
French Fries and Late-Night Bite: Amsterdam Falafelshop
Pizza: Pizzeria Paradiso
Coffee: Chinatown Coffee Co.
Sandwich: Pork banh mi at Sauca
Liquid Dinner: Ramen at Toki Underground
Mac and Cheese: Eatonville
Wine List: Proof
Chef: Michel Richard
Place To Go When Someone Else Is Paying: Komi

· Best of 2011 [Express]