When it comes to popular events and innovative food selections, Fager’s Island is your top pick for the autumn and winter season in Ocean City. The bar and restaurant, which features an endless deck that spans along the bay, is the number one spot for watching legendary sunsets, and it has tons of entertainment on tap for the second season.
    Did you know that Fager’s Island keeps microbrews, and only microbrews, on tap? Nine offerings from Troegs, Fordham, Evolution, Flying Dog, Clipper City, and Dogfish Head are on tap at all times. On Friday nights, pair your draft with awesome shrimp specials, starting at 5 p.m. Sundays at Fager’s Island bring a jazz brunch from 11 to 3 with Everett Spells, plus football and food and drink specials like half-priced fish and prime rib. Monday is also half-priced prime rib and fish. On Wednesdays, enjoy half-priced burgers, and Thursdays are Lobster Night for $9.99.
    The Coconut Malorie & Fager’s Island is the proud host of Ocean City’s Winterfest Gala on Friday, November 16. A black-tie event, this annual party features an open bar, samples from the Delmarva Chefs and Cooks Association, contemporary music by the UMES Jazz Orchestra, Apple & Britt, Dark Gold Jazz and rockin’ dance band The Quake. All proceeds benefit the the Cricket Center. Tickets are available at www.winterfestgala.com
    Also in November, Thanksgiving at Fager’s Island presents turkey, traditional stuffing, cider glazed ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas, and fresh cranberry relish. Afterward, the annual Thanksgiving Reunion Party is the only place in town to dance the night away.
    In addition to its Fine Dining and Lite Fare menus, Fager’s Island recently debuted its new Small Plate Menu. My boyfriend, Joey Steward, and I sampled the Small Plate Menu during football Sunday this week, and we cherished an awe-inspiring sunset over the bay. We began our meal with Fried Green Tomatoes topped with Blue Crab in a pear remoulade. Fresh and heaping with crabmeat, this small plate is hearty and filling. We also ordered Accomack Oyster Rockefeller. “These local oysters will give you energy,” says bartender Mike, who also filled our pints with Evolution Craft Brewing Jacques Au Lantern Pumpkin Ale. Indeed, this small plate is elegantly presented with juicy oysters piled high with flavorful ingredients and lightly baked.
    For our second course, we shared a small plate of Nori Crusted Seared Tuna Tenderloin. Served with basil-wasabi aioli, this dish is a crowd pleaser. Per Mike’s suggestion, Joey and I finished our meal with a small plate of Chicken Livers and Water Chestnuts in Bacon. Served with horseradish sauce, the Chicken Livers is the longest running appetizer at Fager’s Island. Since 1976, customers have tried the dish and loved it. Now Joey and I can add ourselves to that list.
    Other tempting items on the Small Plate Menu are Backfin Crab Cake, Lobster Tempura with a citrus ponzu dipping sauce, and Beef Tenderloin Kabob with Worcestershire glaze. Fresh Fried Calamari & Shrimp is served with three dipping sauces. Fresh Mozzarella, Ripe Tomato, and Basil Leaves are drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp is topped with Hawaiian BBQ sauce and tropical pineapple salsa.
    Everything on the Small Plate Menu is creative and fresh. Scallops are available blackened with cilantro oil or Asian baked and topped with imperial sauce. Eastern Shore Fried Oysters and sautéed Mardi Gras Shrimp top off the Small Plate Menu. All of the items on the menu are reasonably priced in the range of $10.
    As we finished our meal and took our eyes away from the multiple football games broadcasting on several flat screen televisions, the sunset orchestra music cued up for Tchaikovsky’s 18th Overture. A daily tradition at Fager’s Island, the stirring ending is perfectly timed to the last rays of the sun as it descends, seemingly, into the bay. As we snapped photographs of the picturesque sunset, we met a new friend, Dennis Norwood, who is an avid photographer with an impressive camera. He was kind enough to snap some photos of Joey and me in front of the surreal sunset. Have fun in Jamaica, Dennis.
    Remember that Fager’s Island is also renowned for its light fare and fine dining menus. The fine dining houses two floors with distinct differences in their ambience but both enjoing incredible views across the bay. Popular menu items here are the amazing Prime Rib, Chilean Sea Bass broiled with plum-sesame glaze, Roast Duckling, Crab Cakes and so many more. Each night Fager’s Island’s award-winning chefs offer new and creative dishes for their patrons’ enjoyment ... and the service? With a staff of many years combined experience, the service is absolutely impeccable. Be sure to ask for their impressive world-wide award-winning wine list. Or perhaps an after-dinner appertif.
    And leave a little room for dessert. With offerings such as the Lemon Lust Pie, Bourbon Pecan Pie Chocolate Kiss Cake and others, plus Cheesecake and Crème Brulé flavors change daily.
    Jazz Brunch takes place from 11-3 pm each Sunday at Fager’s Island. Enjoy live jazz music on the bay from the incomparable Everett Spells while you savor Frittata, Eggs Benedict, Sausage Biscuits, three-egg Omelets, or Raisin French Toast with smoked bacon, plus more.
    During the summer season, Monday Night Deck Parties are world famous, and bachelorette crawls are popular year-round at the bar and restaurant. Fager’s Island is open year-round, with light fare served at 11 a.m., and dinner served at 5 p.m. Early bird specials apply before 6 p.m. Blending elegance with a beach casual atmosphere, Fager’s is a one-of-a-kind experience. Come to Fager’s Island for a relaxing dinner on the bay, and stay all night for the party.
For more information, call 410-524-5500 or visit www.fagers.com