OC bars and restaurants lead field in state awards

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

PHOTO COURTESY BOBBIE CORBETT Leighton Moore of Seacrets, left, John Fager of Fager's Island, center, and Gary Beach of Marlin Moon Grille are recognized Monday during the Restaurant Association of Maryland's annual "Stars of the Industry" gala. (March 27, 2009) It was a big night for Ocean City during the Restaurant Association of Maryland's annual "Stars of the Industry" awards gala at Martin's West in Baltimore on Monday.

Seacrets' owner Leighton Moore, Fager's Island, Marlin Moon Grille and Liquid Assets Wine & Martini Bar were winners in several categories.

They were first nominated by the dining public and RAM members in the following categories, respectively: Restaurateur of the Year, Maryland's Favorite Bar and Tavern, Favorite Restaurant and Wine and Beverage Program of the Year. Then, they were chosen as finalists by the RAM Nominations Committee. The dining public had the opportunity to vote for restaurants online at www.marylandrestaurants.com and by mail-in ballot until Feb. 27. The winners were announced at the gala.

According to Tom Foulkes, executive vice president of RAM, it was a close race between the top two in most of the categories. There was a large voter turnout, especially online, he added, with more than 3,000 votes cast. In excess of 1,000 paper ballots were received by mail.

Seacrets was a finalist in 2007 for Favorite Bar and Tavern and won the award last year. Now, Moore has been named Restaurateur of the Year.

The public did not vote for the recipient of this award. The winner was chosen by Restaurant Association of Maryland members.

"It's the biggest honor I've had. Peoples' choice last year for Favorite Bar and Tavern is an honor, but it's something people vote on and the bigger you are, the more people there are to vote and the more likely you are to win," Moore said. "This year, to win by vote of restaurateurs, to be the Restaurateur of the Year, that's the highest honor they can bestow on you. I was really hoping I'd get it because it's my last year, I'm retiring from the [restaurant] business and it's the last time I'd have a chance to get it.

"Since I won best Bar and Tavern last year, and Seacret's was top 10 in country this year for the nightclub, I just wanted to finish out really strong, which I did," he said. "I was very happy to get it because I was up against some very fine restaurateurs."

Seacrets, on 49th Street, was also recently selected by editors of "Nightclub & Bar Magazine" as 10th on the list of the top 100 bars in the country for 2008.

Fager's Island, on 60th Street, was not only named as Favorite Bar and Tavern during the awards ceremony, but it was also one of six inducted into the Maryland Hospitality Hall of Honor.

The association created the Hall of Honor to recognize business leaders who have "exhibited dedication, courage and creativity while contributing to the positive reputation and overall improvement of the industry."

"A lot of people do think of us as fine dining, but we have a strong clientele just for the bar. Many people love coming for sunset and to have a drink at one of our bars. It was a pleasant surprise and an honor to win Favorite Bar and Tavern. It's says a lot about our staff and I don't think we would have won it without them," said General Manager Kevin Myers. "The Hall of Honor speaks of the longevity and reputation of Fager's Island and consistently doing things the right way."

Marlin Moon Grille, on Route 50 in West Ocean City inside the Francis Scott Key Family Resort, won in the Favorite Restaurant division. The restaurant was also a finalist in 2007.

"It is a great honor for all our employees past and present as well as myself. It is an honor because it is voted on by the public," said Gary Beach, executive chef and proprietor. "Ocean City swept because I really think the community got behind us. All the finalists in Ocean City get along and respect each other and voted for each other, heck we sat together. There's a lot of camaraderie around here. The Eastern Shore did great."

Liquid Assets Wine & Martini Bar was a finalist in the Wine and Beverage Program of the Year category in 2007 as well. The 94th Street bar/restaurant/ liquor store/wine cellar took top honors this year.

No one from Liquid Assets was able to attend the gala but Manager Denver Gerhart said quite a few text messages were sent from those who were there to let management know Liquid Assets won.

"We're really stoked about it. It's really exciting. It's just a great honor," Gerhart said. Liquid Assets promoted the contest on its marquee, Web site and handed out ballots in the restaurant. "We've worked hard on our wine and beverage program here. It's a huge award and we're very proud."

There will be a free wine tasting from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday to sample some of the products offered at the establishment.

The Greene Turtle (statewide) was also in the running for the Favorite Bar and Tavern award. The Maryland franchise was a finalist in 2007 as well.

Fred Lankford of Lankford Sysco Food Services, based in Pocomoke and a major supplier to most restaurants in town, topped the Allied Member of the Year category.