What is DiRōNA?
The Distinguished Restaurants of North America is a non-profit organization that, by recognizing excellence, seeks to promote distinguished dining throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The DiRōNA Quality Assurance Program is the only independent and anonymous restaurant inspection program that operates across North America. An extensive criteria and impartial inspection process is used to evaluate all aspects of an excellent dining experience. A restaurant displaying the DiRōNA Achievement of Distinction in Dining has earned one of the most respected awards in the dining and hospitality communities. The authority for excellence in distinguished dining, DiRōNA’s membership includes restaurants, industry professionals, corporate partners, and consumers. DiRōNA provides a forum for education, networking, philanthropy, marketing, and advertising benefits for the distinguished dining community.
When was DiRōNA founded?
DiRōNA was established in 1990 to serve as the authority for recognizing and promoting excellence in dining. The founding members were the recipients of Travel Holiday magazine's 1989 Fine Dining Awards. The founding sponsors were American Express and Allied Domecq Spirits, U.S.A. The DiRōNA Award, known formally as the Achievement of Distinction in Dining, was established in 1992 to recognize restaurants that exemplify the highest quality dining experience—from ambiance to quality of food, wine and service. Since that time, approximately 800 restaurants across the United States, Canada, and Mexico have achieved DiRōNA membership by being awarded the prestigious Achievement of Distinction in Dining Award.
How does DiRōNA differ from other recognition programs?
While cuisine, history, reputation, and previous awards are all considered by DiRōNA during the application process, membership can only be awarded to restaurants that also successfully pass an independent and anonymous inspection program. In order to maintain the highest standards of quality and ensure impartiality, this rigourous inspection is conducted by a third-party vendor. DiRōNA is the only non-profit association that supports and recognizes distinguished dining throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico using an objective on-site inspection process.
How does a restaurant become a DiRōNA member?
Regardless of how or why a restaurant wants to become a DiRōNA member, the establishment must first complete a detailed application. This, plus the application fee, triggers the inspection process, a rigorous onsite evaluation of the applicant's cuisine, service and environment. Because of the anonymous nature of the inspection program, inspectors will not announce their presence before, during or after their visit. However, restaurants are typically notified of the results by headquarters within four weeks after receiving an application. A score of 90 or above (on a 100 point scale), is generally required to become a member, although DiRōNA may consider other factors beyond the overall inspection score before extending a formal offer of membership.
Should your application for membership be successful, your membership balance will be requested, and your payment will be required prior to commencement of your membership and receipt of your Achievement of Distinction in Dining Award.
Who conducts the inspection?
To ensure complete anonymity and objectivity in the evaluation process, all inspections are conducted by an independent, third party vendor. Restaurants are considered for membership based on the overall experience that a typical DiRōNA restaurant patron would expect to receive. Therefore, our reviewers are not food critics, restaurateurs or chefs; they are also not culinary neophytes or "random" individuals. They are trained inspectors selected to fit the profile of a frequent DiRōNA restaurant customer.
What are the areas reviewed in the inspection process?
The six-page inspection form is quite extensive and conducted by reviewers who are seasoned at providing a tremendous amount of detail on each report. Categories inspected include physical environment and décor, menu and wine list, quality of cuisine and beverages, staff knowledge and attentiveness, technical service, and check accuracy. Categories are weighted according to level of importance and contribution to a truly memorable dining experience. Restaurants that do not pass inspection are provided a copy of this report. Click on one of the resources below for complete inspection report details:
How do you define distinguished dining?
A distinguished restaurant is one that stands apart from others. The restaurant is characterized by consistent excellence in all facets of the dining experience—cuisine, service and environment. It consistently provides exceptional quality, value and a memorable experience.
How does my restaurant start the DiRōNA membership process?
The first step in the membership process is to determine which category your establishment best fits into. There are three distinct categories of membership:
-Timeless Traditional “The Crown Jewels of Fine Dining”
-Creative Contemporary “Established Hot Spots and the Best of Modern Casual”
-Legendary Landmarks “Celebrated Comfort Food and Legendary Regional Fare”
Once the best category has been determined, you will need to fill out the corresponding application. Each category has different requirements for membership. Please visit the Membership Page for more information or feel free to contact our office.
Can a restaurant be re-inspected if it does not pass the first time?
Yes, a restaurant can re-apply for membership at any time.
How often are DiRōNA members re-inspected?
The Achievement of Distinction in Dining Award is valid for three years and a new award will be issued for each of those years. However, in order to keep a current DiRōNA award winner status, a restaurant must maintain their annual membership dues and undergo a re-inspection every three years. A score of 90 or above is required to maintain membership.
What are the membership fees?
Restaurants who pass the application process and are therefore eligible for DiRoNA status must pay an annual membership fee of $400 due on January 1. Payment may be made annually or in installments. The annual Achievement of Distinction in Dining Award is generally mailed out in late February or until payment is received.
When are applications due?
There is no deadline to submit your application as inspections are conducted throughout the year. New award recipients must pay the full $400 membership fee. However, the fee for the following year will be pro-rated based on the month your inspection was conducted the prior year.
