The Ocean Pines Association has secured a five-year deal with Touch of Italy Group as the community’s new food and beverage contractor for their three service locations — the Ocean Pines Yacht Club, the Ocean Pines Beach Club in Ocean City and the Clubhouse Bar and Grille.
When Touch of Italy takes over, it intends to serve an expanded American cuisine and fresh seafood menu. The company will also uphold the free summer concerts on the Yacht Club patio.
The official start date is yet to be determined, but it will be announced on the community’s website at oceanpines.org and at a town hall meeting.
The food and beverage contract with Touch of Italy was signed during a special OPA Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The governing body voted to hire the restaurant group to handle food and beverage operations, taking over for Matt Ortt Companies, whose contract ends this year.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to raise the bar in Ocean Pines,” Touch of Italy financial operations overseer Rick Lawrence said. “The pressure’s on, but we’re confident we’ll deliver.”