An evening at Fresco’s is like taking a luxurious trip to Italy without having to bother with getting a passport or phrase book. That’s why Pino and Karen Tomasello’s legendary Ocean City eatery is a favorite — not only for a romantic dinner for two — but for private and corporate parties of up to 200 people, too.

Rated the Second Best Overall Restaurant in the entire Baltimore and Eastern Shore region of  Maryland by www.OpenTable.com members — the most popular worldwide rating and around-the-clock reservation agency — Fresco’s offers a menu and superb wine list that is guaranteed to delight every palate. 

A consummate perfectionist, Chef Pino has drawn on his Italian roots combined with with his love of the Eastern Shore and tossed them together with his boundless creativity to come up with an array of dishes that perfectly unites tradition with innovation. 

Since arriving from Sicily over 30 years ago to the “spaghetti and meatballs” world of Italian cuisine over here, Pino has been pleased to see a change in dining trends. “In Italy they don’t overdo a dish with sauce and garlic. A good piece of fish or meat should be able to hold up on its own,” he said while taking delivery of 30 live lobsters, fresh from Sonny Gwinn, ready for the off-season locals Thursday night $20 for a 2-pound lobster special.

That’s why he came up with famous appetizers like the Crabmeat-Prosciutto-Bruschetta, and main courses such as Tuscan Fiocchi, marscapone-and-pear stuffed pasta purses in a creamy sauce with roasted red peppers, pine nuts and Gorgonzola. Steak lovers rave over the Rossini Filet, a Black Angus filet topped with Gorgonzola and finished with sun-dried tomato pesto. A catch-of-the-day favorite is Sea Bass with Creamy Taragon sauce. 
And you’ll have to call ahead if you want a slice of Miss Jean Lavie’s Famous Berry Pies. Made on premises, they sell out daily! 

The restaurant’s plush interior is perfectly designed for intimate meals in the main dining area or group functions in the banqueting room. You’re enveloped in atmosphere the moment you enter the softly lit reception area. Romanesque pillars, statuary, Mediterranean floral arrangements and luxurious silk drapes provide the setting for what  you know will be a memorable evening. 

A raised lounge and piano bar is just the place for a pre-dinner Frescotini. The main dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows, opens onto a spacious deck — all with magnificent views of the Assawoman Bay.
But all that atmosphere doesn’t come at the price of comfort. “We want our guests to feel perfectly at home, so we welcome casual attire,” said Karen, as she checked the positioning of shrubbery on the deck. To give customers on a budget a break in light of the recession they recently implemented a 10 percent discount for early seating — between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. — making an evening at Fresco’s comfortable on the pocketbook, too.

While Pino manages the kitchen with supreme precision, Karen — his wife of 24 years, and the mother of their three children — makes sure every other aspect of the business runs like clockwork. The striking-looking Maryland native navigates smoothly between the office, foyer, dining area, banquet room and Jive, the most must-be-seen-at location for the younger set that is located next door. Giving credit where it’s due, she insisted, “We couldn’t do a thing without the support of our phenomenal staff.”

“Fresco’s is an exceptional restaurant for a group function,” said Buck Mann of Mann Properties in Ocean City, one of many businesses and organizations that regularly hold events there. “Karen and Pino provide personal service that fits the needs of the attendees and the food is superb.  They are very willing to work with us to accommodate our needs and are possibly the most agreeable hosts in town. Also, they can cater to any size group that is needed. And, lest I forget to mention, the view is phenomenal!” he continued.

Fresco’s has been a favorite with Carl Repetti of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield ever since it opened ten years ago. He regularly holds functions there for statewide municipalities. “The food, presentation and staff are outstanding,” he said. “The whole experience is always a culinary delight.”

Add an air of distinction to your annual party, wedding, family reunion or business meeting  when you hold it at Fresco’s. You’ll know you’re getting the same attention to detail that Pino, Karen and staff invest in making Fresco’s ahead of its field for every occasion.

Nothing is overlooked. “We provide everything from ‘soup to nuts’ and beyond,” said Karen, referring to the custom services available. Not only is the menu tailored to your taste and budget — music, floral arrangements, custom specialty cakes are just some of the features sure to make your event an occasion to remember! 

 

Fresco’s/Jive, 8203 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, Md., 410-524-8202, www.ocfrescos.com