Anne Arundel County Restaurants Win State Awards

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Long-time favorite dining spots and newcomers from Anne Arundel County were among those honored at last weekend's Restaurant Association of Maryland Stars of the Industry Awards. The trade association sponsors the competition each year, and the public weighs in through online voting.

Local venues and restauranteurs honored are:

RAM Cornerstone of the Industry Award: Awarded to the companies that best illustrate how restaurants are the cornerstone of the economy and their community. These successful businesses support local communities by creating jobs and financially supporting non-profit groups, schools, scouts and youth sports teams.

Winners included: Carrol's Creek Cafe - Annapolis, Glory Days Grill - statewide, The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille - statewide, and Miss Shirley's Cafe - Baltimore & Annapolis.

Maryland Hospitality Hall of Honor 2019 Inductees: Created to recognize those restaurants in Maryland that embody the spirit of the hospitality industry based on their longevity and overall contributions to their customers. Awardees have all been in business for at least 20 years. Among those inducted was Old Stein Inn - Edgewater.

Heart of the Industry

• Kristen Walter - Manager - The Point Crab House & Grill in Arnold won.

Other categories with Anne Arundel County venues that were nominated were:

Maryland's Favorite Restaurant

• Cantler's Riverside Inn was nominated for favorite restaurant, but lost to Clyde's of Columbia, Chevy Chase & Rockville. Cantler's is known for its seafood and sits on Mill Creek minutes from City Dock. "An Annapolis, Maryland icon, Cantler's waterfront restaurant and crab house has been serving the area's freshest seafood to watermen, boaters, and land lovers alike for nearly four decades," the restaurant website says.

Maryland's Favorite New Restaurant

• Flamant - Annapolis was nominated but The Charles - La Plata won.

Maryland's Favorite Bar or Tavern

• Phoenix Emporium - Ellicott City won, while Union Jack's - Annapolis was nominated.

Craft Brew Program of the Year

• Frisco Tap House - Gambrills was nominated, but The Judge's Bench - Ellicott City won.

Favorite International Cuisine Restaurant

• Honey Pig Korean BBQ - Ellicott City & Rockville won, while Vida Taco Bar - Annapolis, Severna Park & Baltimore was nominated.