Phyllis Richman

Phyllis Richman spent 23 years as the restaurant critic of the Washington Post, eating out on our behalf. Think how much money she saved us by guiding us away from restaurants or chefs that weren't meeting the mark, and how many good meals she encouraged us to seek out and enjoy.

So it's only right and proper that the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington is honoring her at the 26th Annual RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala with the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award.

Only in 2000 did anyone know for sure what she looked like. If you've read Ruth Reichl's account in Garlic and Sapphires of getting into disguise to review restaurants for the New York Times, you'll know it's an extra burden.

I had a lovely lunch once with Phyllis Richman - not in mufti. She poked about in my plate and I poked about in hers. Which is not something people are often willing to let you do, even when they're people who borrow your hairbrush or worse. It's a pity. You get to try so much more that way. I don't know why people object.

She's still writing profusely - not just dining guides, but her series about Case Wheatley, Washington restaurant reviewer who is also an amateur detective. The Butter Did It and  Murder on the Gravy Train are as satisfying as some of the great feasts she's directed us to.

The RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala will also honor the metro area’s top chefs and restaurateurs, on June 29th at the Marriott Wardman Park. Ticket and sponsorship information are available by contacting RAMW at 202 331 5990 or by visiting the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.