Two Montgomery County restaurants have been honored for their longevity by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.
Silver Diner in Rockville and Moby Dick House of Kabob in Bethesda will be receiving 2019 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Awards, “bestowed upon the Washington region’s most celebrated dining institutions,” the association announced in an April 25 news release.
“In this constantly changing industry that has witnessed and been part of such notable growth over the past decade, it speaks volumes to have so many restaurateurs of this caliber celebrating such significant anniversaries,” RAMW President Kathy E. Hollinger said in a statement. “These operators are true pioneers who paved the way for so many other restaurateurs in the metropolitan region.”
Both opened in 1989 and have expanded throughout the area.
American family restaurant Silver Diner has 15 locations, including six in Maryland.
Persian chain Moby Dick House of Kabob has two dozen locations, including restaurants in Gaithersburg, Potomac, Rockville, Germantown and Olney.
“We are all one big family, dedicated to serving amazing food in the communities we are in,” Moby Dick Director and Chief Development Officer Alex Momeni said in a statement. “Amazing awards and accolades of this caliber cements that simple fact for us.”
Co-founders Bob Giaimo and Chef Ype Von Hengst opened the first Silver Diner at 12276 Rockville Pike, and have since relied on local farmers to source a health-conscious menu geared toward all dietary needs. The restaurant added 12 plant-based, Vegan options in April following customer feedback in a revamped menu marking its 30th anniversary.
Mike Daryoush began the Moby Dick chain on Wisconsin Avenue as Moby’s Luncheonette, a traditional American lunch and breakfast restaurant, before changing the name and focusing on Persian cuisine. The original location moved one door over in June 2018, now occupying a larger space at 7023 Wisconsin Ave.
Silver Diner and Moby Dick are each familiar with RAMMY recognition, as Giaimo and Von Hengst were named 2018 RAMMYS Restaurateur of the Year Finalists and Moby Dick won Favorite Fast Bites at the 2018 RAMMY Awards.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media