Montgomery County restaurants largely shut out of 2016 RAMMY Awards
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington announced the finalists for its annual RAMMY awards Monday night and few local restaurants were nominated. Shushiko in Chevy Chase was nominated for upscale casual restaurant of the year and Republic in Takoma Park is up for beer program of the year. Also nominated was the Cava Group, which got its start in Rockville, for restaurateur of the year. Mike Isabella Concepts, which opened Kapnos Kouzina in Bethesda this week, is also nominated for restaurateur of the year. However, the list of finalists, which includes five in each of 20 categories, were dominated by Washington, D.C. restaurants. Only members of the restaurant association can be nominated, so that may be a factor contributing to the number of local restaurants that make the cut. The winners will be announced June 12.
Rockville restaurants unite to offer pre-set menus with wine and beer pairings
On Wednesday, nine Rockville Town Square restaurants will begin a monthly dinner series in which they’ll offer special pre-set menus with wine and beer pairings. The pre-set menus for March range from $28 to $60 per person. Some restaurants, such as Gordon Biersch, offer beer pairings, while others, such as Ev & Maddy’s, have wine. The monthly dinners will continue through December and will take place on the second Wednesday of every month. Participating restaurants include American Tap Room, Bar Louie, Bon Chon Chicken, Ev & Maddy’s, Gordon Biersch, La Canela, La Tasca, Spice Xing and Sushi Damo.
Work continues at Duck, Duck, Goose
The new Woodmont Triangle French brasserie that’s filling the former location of Brasserie Monte Carlo on Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda is close to opening, but still awaiting final permit approvals and inspections from the county, according to owner Ashish Alfred. Alfred said Monday renovations are mostly complete at the restaurant and he’s hoping to open it later this month or in early April once the final approvals are granted. Alfred also owns 4935 Bar and Kitchen on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opens in the Kentlands
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Nothing Bundt Cakes, a bakery chain with dozens of franchise locations across the country, now has a new bakery in Gaithersburg. The bakery specializes in bundt cakes decorated with thick cream cheese frosting. Customers can choose from a variety of cake flavors such as carrot, pecan praline and white chocolate raspberry. The bakery, which is at 12133 Darnestown Road, opened Jan. 29 and is the first Nothing Bundt Cakes in Maryland.
Cake pictures via Nothing Bundt Cakes website.
