This evening was the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s annual gala, an evening where the restaurant industry salutes and celebrates the business of feeding people from the corner luncheonette to the white linen tablecloth establishment. It is a night where the restaurateurs and chefs take the night off, get gussied up and let someone else do the cooking.
The cocktail reception featured delicious scallops on grits from Langermanns, escargot from Blue Hill Tavern, raw bar from Classic Caterers, other tasty bits from Phillips Seafood Restaurant, The Rumor Mill, Bombora, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tark’s Grill, Epic Buffet at Hollywood Casino Perryville and Molly Masons.
It was a great evening, one I look forward to every year because it champions the hard working people, the talented souls who live their lives for their dining clientele.
Drum roll please!!!!!!!! Tat tat tat tat tat tat
Maryland’s Favorite New Restaurant (open 2 years or less)
- The Grille at Peerce’s, Phoenix
- Bridge’s Restaurant, Grasonville
- Langermann’s, Baltimore
- B&O American Brasserie, Baltimore - winner
- Againn Tavern, Rockville
Chef of the Year
- Ian Campbell, Bistro Poplar
- Patrick Morrow, Bluegrass Tavern –now with Mele
- Quanta Robinson, Black’s Bar & Kitchen
- Tim Mullen, Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
- Brian Boston, Milton Inn
Pastry Chef of the Year
- Susan Limb, Praline Bakery & Bistro
- Isaiah Billington, Woodberry Kitchen - winner
- Rita Garruda, 8407 Kitchen Bar
- Bettina Clair, Blue Hill Tavern
Favorite Restaurant
- Lewne’s Steakhouse, Annapolis
- Casey Jones, Waldorf
- Ryleigh’s Oyster Bar, Baltimore
- Sunset Grille, Ocean City - winner
- Dutch’s Daughter, Frederick
Favorite Bar and/or Tavern
- Harborside Bar & Grill, Ocean City
- MaGerks Pub & Grill, Baltimore
- Looney’s Pub, Maplelawn
- Fish Tales, Ocean City
- Pickles Pub, Baltimore
- Tark’s Grill, Lutherville
Wine and Beverage Program of the Year
- Mrs. K’s Tollhouse, Silver Spring
- Galaxy 66 Bar and Grille, Ocean City
- Victoria Gastro Pub, Columbia - winner
- Redwood Restaurant & Bar, Bethesda
- 13.5% Wine Bar, Baltimore
Green Restaurant of the Year
- The Crab Shanty, Ellicott City - winner
- Brick Ridge Restaurant, Mount Airy
- The Rockfish, Annapolis
- Ricciuti’s, Olney
Restaurateur of the Year - Nominations
- Joe Barbera, AIDA Bistro
- Billy Carder, BJ’s on the Water - winner
- Pat Karzai, The Helmand
- Jeff Heineman, Grapeseed Bistro
- Karen Murray, TJ’s of Calverton
Congrats to all the winners and the nominees.
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