Located just minutes from Coastal Highway, the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound is open to the public and presents the most stunning panoramic views of the Ocean City skyline reflecting on the Assawoman Bay. Although the fine dining establishment specializes in private functions—such as luncheons, weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and business meetings—the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound is open for lunch and dinner every day, and no membership is required.
    Easily accessible from Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Bishopville, and nearby neighborhoods, the restaurant is ideally situated on St. Martin’s Neck Road, which is located between the two bridges along Route 90. Find the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound for the first time, and you’re guaranteed to return time and time again. An elegant ambiance, coupled with enhanced service and high quality chef’s creations, make the establishment an experience fit for royalty. In fact, when I visited the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound this week with my friends, Joey Steward and Branden and Holly Hudson, we were treated like kings and queens. The chef, the manager, and our server rolled out the red carpet to ensure our dining event was top notch.
    We were seated at the best table in the house, front-and-center by a wall of windows with a direct view of the outdoor patio, gazebo, tiki torches, bay view, and Ocean City skyline. A smooth jazz singer provided live entertainment that is soothing and sets the scene for a relaxing dining experience. Each table in the dining room is covered with a spotless white tablecloth. Cathedral ceilings, wrought iron chandeliers, high-back leather chairs, and an enormous stone fireplace add elements of comfort to the open space. Adjacent to the dining room is a cozy barroom with sofas, high-definition televisions, and an additional fireplace.
    Darren McDonald is the restaurant manager, who was brought into the business in June 2011 after working for 24 years in an elite restaurant concept group that opened successful businesses in Dallas, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Washington, DC. “Word of mouth means everything,” he says, spreading the word that the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound provides top quality entrées at recession proof prices. Guests are invited to enjoy a seasonal menu, which includes a three-course meal for two customers for $49. Featuring entrées like Veal Piccata, Grilled Sirloin, and Broiled Salmon with Lemon Beurre Blanc, the seasonal menu is an extraordinary deal. Our server, Stephen, was acutely attentive to our needs. He told us that the Soup of the Day was Cream of Crab, and the Fresh Catch of the Day was Red Snapper, prepared blackened or pan seared with jumbo lump crab imperial.
    We began our exceptional meal at the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound with orders of Calamari, Seared Tuna, and Grand Marnier Scallops. Cut fresh on the premises and hand-battered, the Calamari is extremely tender. Served with seaweed salad and a lime ginger sauce, the blackened, seared Ahi tuna is a light and refreshing summertime appetizer. Topped with Grand Marnier glaze and sautéed with spinach and cherry tomatoes, the Grand Marnier Scallops is a house favorite. We also perused the recession-proof wine list and selected a bottle of 2006 Sketchbook pinot noir for our table. Throughout our meal, Stephen topped off our glasses so we never poured our own wine, and he wrote down the name of the label for us—testimony to his commitment to superior service.
    As we indulged in our appetizers, Chef Tracy greeted our table and explained that the Fresh Catch of the Day is local and cut in-house. “Our signature item is our Crab Cake, with hints of honey and vinegar, topped with a roasted corn and tomato relish,” he says. After hearing his recommendations, we selected our entrées. Branden ordered the blackened Red Snapper with jumbo lump crab imperial. Joey and Holly both chose the Filet Mignon encrusted with bleu cheese and served with a cabernet demi glace. I ordered the single Crab Cake from the seasonal menu.
    Darren presented each of us with a small dish of lime sorbet to cleanse our palates between courses. Chef Tracy returned to our table and announced that he prepared two Red Snapper entrées for Branden—one blackened, and one pan seared. “I want your honest opinion about which recipe you prefer,” requested Chef Tracy. All four of us sampled both dishes. While Joey and Branden insist that the blackened preparation is the best, I confess that the pan-seared version simply melts in my mouth and wins my vote. I’m also highly impressed with the Crab Cake. Although the secret recipe remains undisclosed, hints of honey and vinegar add a unique and flavorful component to the classic Maryland entrée. The Angus beef tenderloins are equally satisfying, rising leagues above competitive chain steakhouses. Everyone in our party agreed that the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound is deserving of a five-star rating.
    As we polished off our entrées, Chef Tracy reappeared and advised us to save room for dessert. “I have something very special prepared for you,” he said. Indeed, he presented us with Anniversary Parfaits—ice cream dishes full of sweet temptations that are not on the menu, but are reserved for special occasions. A fitting tribute to a warm August night, the first parfait was a blend of strawberries, peaches, and cream. The second dessert was an irresistible combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and candy bar. Somehow the entire dish was devoured before I could taste it, but my focus was on the house specialty—oven warm Bread Pudding with vanilla bean ice cream. “Out of all the amazing food we ate tonight, my top two favorites are the filet and the bread pudding,” commented Joey.
    Additional savory entrées at the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound include Salmon Oscar, Stuffed Chicken, Blackened Tuna, Seafood or Vegetable Primavera, and Lighthouse Scampi. All of these dinner dishes cost less than $30. Generously proportioned side dishes accompany each entrée. Try the signature side item—Parmesan Potatoes au Gratin. An affordable lunch menu is also served daily, and a kid-friendly Sunday Brunch is served from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
    Happy Hour takes place daily from 4-7 p.m. Ladies are encouraged to delight in half-priced food and drinks in the barroom on Tuesday nights. Talented musicians perform throughout the week, including Suzette on Friday and Apple & Britt on Thursday and Sunday. During the summer season, Lighthouse Sound presents Concerts on the Green on alternating Thursday nights. Recent concerts included The Chest Pains for the PJ Aldridge Foundation and a 98.1 FM Listener Appreciation Party featuring national recording artists. Next on the calendar is a party on Wednesday, August 31, when PJ Aldridge will guest bartend and announce the raffle winner of Oprah’s Favorite Things.
    Located just one mile west of Ocean City on St. Martin’s Neck Road, the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound is easy to find and deserving of top accolades. For more information, call 410-352-5250 or visit www.lighthousesoundrestaurant.com