1776 Steakhouse honored at DRA Cornerstone Awards gala

The Delaware Restaurant Association hosted its 23rd annual Restaurant Industry Cornerstone Awards gala Oct. 20, at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach.

The event celebrated the spirit and resiliency of the Delaware food industry, highlighting restaurants as pillars – cornerstones – of the community and recognizing those that have made exceptional contributions to the industry. It also featured a wide selection of food and beverages from 30 local vendors, plus live music by Ed Shockley and Fun Size. 

Nearly 500 guests, including legislators and restaurant industry leaders from across the state, attended the event. 

“Restaurants are really an extension of who we are,” said DRA Chair Jeff Gosnear. “They are where we spend much of our lives. It’s all about hospitality, about making people feel welcome and cared for, helping them celebrate their special moments all the time.”

Several awards were presented, including the coveted Cornerstone Award, honoring Delaware restaurants for their long-standing presence, quality and community roots.

This year, the Cornerstone Award went to a local favorite, 1776 Steakhouse, which opened in 1987 and was revitalized in 2007 by current managing partner Tom Holmes.

“Hospitality is the core of what makes [1776] successful,” Gosnear said. “It’s everyone’s favorite place to celebrate. You’re greeted like an old friend, and you simply enjoy the best steaks and seafood in town. I can tell you, personally, as a resident of Sussex County, this place makes everyone feel special.”

“I am just so honored and pleased,” Holmes said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will never forget this day.”  

Also recognized were the 2025 Restaurateurs of the Year – Bardea Restaurant Group partners Antimo DiMeo, Pino DiMeo and Scott Stein; Industry Impact Award recipients – Celebrate Wellness and SoDel Wellness; and the inaugural People’s Choice Award recipient – Palm Beach Bar and Grill, and runners-up – Crabby Dick’s Restaurant and Dewey Beer Company.

Antimo recalls spending much of his time growing up at the pizza shop that his parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy, opened in downtown Wilmington.

“Little did I know, back in the day, that was the groundwork of me learning how hard this industry really is,” he said. “It requires resilience, hard work, dedication ... and for me, it’s in my blood. I love it. This is my life. I want nothing else. I’m proud of it.”