3 Columbia Restaurants Up For State Awards

COLUMBIA, MD – Several Columbia establishments are up for awards from a restaurant trade association that recognizes the best of the industry across the state. The Restaurant Association of Maryland's Stars of the Industry Awards is an annual program in which the public is invited to vote online. Vote at the bottom of the article.

Three Columbia restaurants are in the running for awards for Maryland's favorite restaurant, Maryland's favorite new restaurant and Maryland's best craft beer program. In addition, two employees at Columbia area restaurants are contenders for the coveted "Heart of the Industry Award."

Without further ado, here are the nominees from Columbia.

Stanford Grill at 8900 Stanford Boulevard is up for the Maryland's Favorite Restaurant.

The competition in Maryland's Favorite Restaurant category includes the following:

• Lewnes' Steak House - Annapolis
• The Prime Rib - Baltimore
• Stanford Grill - Columbia
• Sunset Grille - Ocean City
• Woodmont Grill - Bethesda

The Turn House at 11130 Willow Bottom Drive is up for Maryland's Favorite New Restaurant.

These are the nominees in the Maryland's Favorite New Restaurant category:

• Ekiben - Baltimore
• Baltimore - The Elephant
• Baltimore Heritage 485 - Prince Frederick
• Medium Rare - Bethesda
• The Turn House - Columbia

The Ale House at 6480 Dobbin Center Way is a contender for the Craft Brew Program of the Year.

Here are the contestants for Craft Brew Program of the Year in Maryland:

• The Ale House - Columbia
• The Brass Tap at the Fitzgerald - Baltimore
• Pizzeria Paradiso - Hyattsville
• Wet City - Baltimore
• White Rabbit Gastropub - Frederick

Two restaurants in the Columbia area have employees nominated for the Heart of the Industry Award, given to those who deliver the industry's gold standard for professionalism. The honor is presented to a staffer who goes above and beyond to ensure smooth operations at a restaurant through teamwork and dedication. The nominees include one from AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar in Columbia at 6741 Columbia Gateway Drive and Hudson Coastal Raw Bar & Grill at 11811 West Marketplace in Fulton.

Here are the nominees for the Heart of the Industry Award:

• Boris Bobrov, server at AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar
• Brian Cieslak, sous chef at Preserve
• Ryan Galinat, bar manager at Hudson Coastal
  

The Restaurant Association of Maryland, a trade association dedicated to promoting and improving the restaurant industry in Maryland, is based on Hillside Court in Columbia.

Vote online until 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28.

Winners will be announced May 6 at the Restaurant Association of Maryland's Stars of the Industry Awards Gala in Ocean City.

SEE ALSO:

• The Turn House Restaurant in Columbia Spotlights Local, Seasonal Ingredients
• Two Columbia Restaurants Win State Recognition At 2016 Awards Gala

Image via Shutterstock.