Alexandria Businesses Nominated for Food and Drink Awards

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Alexandria's Evening Star Cafe and Logan's Sausage are up for RAMMY awards, a regional food and drink competition for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

Evening Star Cafe on Mount Vernon Avenue received a nomination for Favorite Gathering Place of the Year Monday night. The nomination centered around the popular American restaurant's seasonal outdoor hangout called The Front Porch. The public can vote for this and three other categories: Upscale Brunch of the Year, Casual Brunch of the Year and Favorite Fast Bites of the Year. Voting is open online through May 31 at 5 p.m.

The other nominees hail from Washington, DC and include: Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen, Lauriol Plaza, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Petworth Citizen & Reading Room. Eligible restaurants have been open for two years prior to Dec. 31, 2016. According to the category criteria, "this nominee is a restaurant rooted in its neighborhood where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends repeatedly. The great atmosphere and good vibes are as important as the food and drink."

Logan's Sausage on Wheeler Avenue is up for Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year. The Alexandria meat processor sells over 20 types of sausage to grocery stores and wholesale distributors around the region.

Other nominees are based in D.C. and include Atlas Brew Works, DC Brau Brewing Company, New Columbia Distillers/Green Hat and Right Proper Brewing Company. Eligible businesses must create a product for chefs and restaurants and have been running for at least one year. This category is decided by an anonymous panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators and foodservice industry professionals.

Restaurants eligible for RAMMY awards are part of RAMW, a regional trade organization representing restaurants and the foodservice industry.

Winners will be announced July 30 at a black tie gala.

See the full list of finalists and categories online.

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