I've been to the "Top of the Mark" in San Francisco, and sat
at its rotating bar. I've been to the top of the "Empire State"
building, long after King Kong made his appearance. I've been to the "top
of the American World," the Colorado Rockies, while they were at their
peak. I've been to the "top of the Pali on Oahu", and seen thekanes
and thewahines. And I've been to "Jordan's Rooftop" atop
the Fenwick Inn in Ocean City.It is the top place to be, since here you will meet Al Jordan, his lovely wife, Carol, their son, Ronnie, and you will enjoy one of the better dining experiences at the beach. Here, the Jordan's have taken their many years of expertise in the food and entertainment industry and applied them for our pleasure.
You/we are satisfied in stages. Once you exit from the elevator, remember you're going to the roof; the many picture windows which let you look out over the Atlantic Ocean, draw attention. You feel the quiet serenity. Yet, you are alerted to the excitement to come by the spacious cocktail bar and service area to the left, the dining tables to the right and the filled water tank with its lobsters waiting to be selected. Anticipation? Delayed gratification? Oh, yes!
Next, there is a warm "hello," of welcome from the host/hostess. It may be Al Jordan, himself, with his joyful, all-encompassing smile. Or, as in my case, by Jessica Kuser, a young lovely from Fenwick Island. You are seated and you will be served possibly by Ed Lincoln. Certainly, one of the more accomplished waiters on the Shore, he is typical of the selectivity of Jordan's in choosing servers who have finesse, friendliness, and the fine art of consideration for you, the patron. Ed is the product of Penn State University, leaving there in 1989, as an English major. Now he is learning the restaurant business, as well as the musical side of life. Ed is a percussionist with Seaside Zoo, a classic rock n' roll sextet. How appropriate that he is at Jordan's Rooftop, home of the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Summer presentations. Remember the Drifters? "Up on the Roof" and "Under the Boardwalk". They, too, are a part of the excitement.
And so it is time to eat. Do you want appetizers, lobsters, soups, lobsters, salads, lobsters, seafood, lobsters, poultry, lobsters, steak, lobsters, prime rib, lobsters, pasta, sandwiches, desserts, or lobsters? You will have a plethora of choices at Jordan's. Want your choice of fish grilled, broiled, fried or blackened? Come to Jordan's Rooftop. Your poultry? Baked, stuffed, blackened, over linguini with marinara sauce, topped with provolone? Yes, it's at the Rooftop. Your choices are
wide-ranged.
I put myself in Ed's hands. He suggested the New England seafood chowder with scallops, clams, corn, potatoes, chunks of white fish with spices and warm to the taste and palate. I had a cup full as I was anticipating the feast to come. Oh! Yes! I started out with a choice of my own, Ouzo on the rocks, water back (Jordan's has a full, well-stocked bar), that I sipped leisurely as darkness came over the ocean in front of me. I listened to the quiet hum of "happy talk, keep talking, happy talk..." I could have been transported to the south Pacific but the overhead lights reflecting through the picture windows showed a path over Coastal Highway and the oceanfront condos, a beacon to the Atlantic.
Though there were more than fourty tables of couples, families, infants, children, parents, grandparents and friends dining, things went at an easy pace because of the attention of the staff. I was particuarly inpressed by Sarah Parker, who had the station next to Ed's. She was very attentive to three couples with two infants and grandparents with an active 6-year-old. Far from being a disturbance, all went smoothly; everyone was happy. Jordan's means casual. Children are welcome and there is a children's menu. And speaking of happy, let me introduce Tabitha Havens, born and raised in Selbyville, who was my/our genial bread girl with selections of fresh, baked on the premises, tasties. For more happy, along came Joan Winley, who lit the table candles to provide "atmosphere," which was there with an abundance; what with the neatly tailored staff in aqua, pink and khaki uniforms, topped with smiles. Oh, yes! Smiles - while coming to and fro - while conversing with diners. If there is a badge/emblem by which Jordan's should be known it is their smiles. They get them from Al. It's catching.
Back to the food. Mushroom caps covered with a lemon-touched crab imperial sauce (a house specialty), was followed by a Caesar salad complemented with backfin crab, shrimp, lettuce and shredded parmesan. I was on my way to continuing satisfaction and then was presented with a whole broiled lobster bursting from its shell, set with zuchinni, baked potato, lemon wedges and a saucer of drawn butter. Add a half-carafe of chilled Chardonnay and you can picture a would-be gourmand in gourmet heaven. Thank you, Al, Carol, your son Ronnie, and everyone. I was transported.
And thank your for your dessert selections. Being from New York, I chose the cheese cake. Memories of the Turnpike Delicatessen in Kew Gardens, Queens, abound.
There is so much to relate. One visit is not enough. The subdued intensity and the food draw you back. For lunch, Sunday Brunch, another dinner, a catered affair, happy hour, comedy and entertainment. Want the Drifters, Coasters, Marvelletes, Deanna Bogart and the blues? Come to Jordan's. Elevate yourself. Come to the 8th floor, pick up the colorful menu and order. What I found was one of the best dining events I've experienced throughout this wonderfun country of ours. People made it so. Or was it people made it sew? Everything at Jordan's is tailored to perfection. Call Al, Carol or Ronnie at (410) 250-1867 with reservations, (suggested) but without "reservations" of any kind. You'll be "...sitting on top of the world..." - at least the rooftop - Jordan's Rooftop, that is.
"Where the Food is the Tops"