Brian Lawrence Live

Monday, April 28
Tonight I’m heading out to Martin’s West for the annual awards dinner and gala for the Restaurant Association of Maryland. Though it starts with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., the dress code is black tie, and most of the attendees have followed suit, as it were. This is a huge event, with some 900 restaurateurs from around the state converging on the main ballroom in Woodlawn. Soon after arriving, I run into Downtown Diane and The Examiner‘s Anne Boone Simanski, so we take a turn around the room and sample a few of the appetizers. The lobster fritters from Brasserie Tatin and the crab soup from Big Fish Grille are particular stand-outs. I also chat with Stephanie Bradshaw of Select Event Rentals and with Hannah Byron of the state office for promotion and tourism. Soon enough, it’s time to go in to dinner— luckily, I’m seated next to my pal Celeste Corsaro from Baltimore Eats, and we proceed to attack our crab salads and surf & turf. I stuck around long enough to see The Oceannaire Seafood Room win for “favorite new restaurant,” Seacrets win for “favorite bar & tavern,” and to see awards go to Jordan’s Steakhouse and to DaMimmo. Managing partner of The Oceannaire, Nate Beachler, and chef Benjamin Erjavec stopped by our table and were justifiably thrilled with their restaurant’s win. 

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