Westport dining... we're moving on up...

I saw this press release today, which was very exciting... I knew these places were special, now I have corroboration!

Don’t Overlook Washington’s Best Kept Dining Secrets

Anthony’s Restaurant in Westport, Washington, gets 3-1/2 stars from “Best Places Northwest” guidebook, Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill receives 3 stars.

Westport, WA, June 12, 2007: Two of Westport’s restaurants were recently reviewed in the 16^th edition of the popular “Best Places Northwest” guidebook and received among the guidebooks highest honors.

Anthony’s Restaurant, a 40-seat restaurant located on the Westport Marina in the Islander Resort, at 421 E. Neddie Rose Drive, received 3-1/2 stars (out of a maximum 4 stars). The reviewer recommends that guests try the grilled pear, blue cheese and prosciutto salad, apricot-glazed chicken and cranberry polenta for its melt in your mouth goodness. Anthony’s also received a note as being a romantic dining experience. It was recently touted locally as having the “Best Bloody Mary” in Washington.

The Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill, located adjacent Anthony’s Restaurant in the Islander Resort, was touted as “a superb dining spot by the sea” and received 3 stars (out of a maximum 4 stars) from the reviewer. They go on to note that “fresh fish is their forte:, and that “a combination of cozy booths and tables, warm earth tones, and Moroccan-style lanterns create a comfortable atmosphere.” Diners are encouraged to try the Jetty Surf Melt, “that will have you savoring every bite.”

The ratings show that Westport’s small eateries can compete with some of Seattle’s landmark dining spots such as El Gaucho (3 stars), Ray’s Boathouse (2-1/2 stars), Palace Kitchen (2 stars) and Wild Ginger (2-1/2 stars).

Josh Wood, Food and Beverage Manager for both venues found the reviews to be a pleasant surprise, “when we created the Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill and later Anthony’s restaurant in 2004 and 2006, we knew we were on to something special. It’s exciting to be recognized, and to know that although we’re in a remote location, we can compete with the finest establishments in the Seattle areas. I hope that people will make the short 2-1/2 hour drive from Seattle to enjoy the Anthony’s and Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill experience.”

Anthony’s Restaurant and Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill are both operated by Westport Investments, LLC, a local operating company that also operates the Vacations by the Sea Oceanfront Condo Rentals (which received 2-1/2 stars from “Best Places Northwest”), and several other motel, RV, and Charter properties in the South Beach area from Westport to Tokeland, Washington.

Westport, Washington, the often overlooked beach town across from Grays Harbor from Ocean Shores, is a 2-1/2 hour drive from downtown Seattle. Once known as the Salmon Fishing Capital of the World, it is being repositioned as the ideal destination resort for beach and ocean lovers in the Pacific Northwest.

“Best Places Northwest”, 16^th Edition, is published by Sasquatch Books and is well known in the Northwest, being called “the bible for discriminating travelers,” and “the region’s undisputed heavyweight champ of guidebooks.”

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