The Marlin Moon Grille has steadily evolved from a new restaurant on the second floor of the old Ocean City Marlin Club eight years ago to one of the most popular restaurants in the Delmarva resort area. The predecessor
of the present Marlin Moon Grille opened its doors above the Ocean City Marlin Club on May 1, 1999 under the name Reel Inn Grille by Chef Gary Beach and his original partners Scott and Angie Lathroum. After a modest first two seasons, Gary and his
partners parted ways and the
restaurant’s name was changed to Marlin Moon Grille. “Fish on a marlin moon” is a fishing term and the name seemed to fit Chef Gary’s sportfishing-
themed restaurant and his
eclectic fare.
A year later, the Marlin Moon Grille moved from the old Ocean City Marlin Club to its current home inside the main lodge of the historic Francis Scott Key Motel in West Ocean City where the restaurant has blossomed. Beach eventually hired Julie Gresham, a part-time, off season bartender. Within two years, Julie became his wife and partner. Julie took the Marlin Moon’s humble wine list, and its
storage, and advanced it to a 2006 Wine Spectator award winner.
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