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BEAUFORT, N.C. — Moonrakers Restaurant — a cutting-edge, coastal cuisine restaurant featuring rooftop dining on the waterfront in historic downtown Beaufort, N.C. — is set to open following years of planning and construction.

Moonrakers first day of service will be Monday, August 6.

A state-of-the-art, 254-seat, upper-casual dining, full-service restaurant with an additional 90-seat rooftop dining and bar lounge area, Moonrakers Restaurant is located at 326 Front Street on the Beaufort waterfront. The restaurant will focus on an American-Coastal menu with a twist of Caribbean influence.

“Moonrakers is a dining destination where you always know you’re going to get friendly, neighborly service, along with excellent food,” said Moonrakers Managing Partner John Stephens. “We feature a captivating dining room and bar overlooking the waterfront on the ground floor including 14-foot open ceilings, display kitchen, custom mural, acoustical sails, dedicated wine wall and a wood fired brick oven. Our comfortable décor is centered around an inviting, light and airy coastal theme atmosphere with sounds of the island and amazing original artwork of the area.”

The ground floor also includes an attraction of open-air dining space on and/or above the waterfront overlooking the coastal waterway. The second floor is comprised of open spaces catering to larger group events accommodating up to 110 guests.

A “Moonraker” is a rectangle sail flown at the uppermost height of the mast of a three-mast, 17^th-century ship. They are unusually small sails that would be added primarily for speed. “With Moonrakers elevated Sky Deck at 35 feet, the concept name is appropriate and represents an important aspect of what the restaurant experience has to offer,” Stephens said.

The Sky Deck on the uppermost level is sure to be a focal point of everyone from the street and seaward. Comprised of a combination of dining, bar and comfortable lounge seating, where patrons can enjoy outstanding views of the Town of Beaufort’s Historical District along Front Street to the north, east and west. A southerly view takes patrons overlooking the waters of Taylor's Creek and the wild horses grazing on Town Marsh.

“Rooftop dining at its best that features the kitchen's full menu, but with a view that cannot be matched,” said Stephens. “There’s nothing else like it in the market.”

Moonrakers is open seven days a week. The restaurant’s menu is inspired from different countries' specialties and appeal to a diverse clientele, changing every season while keeping the favorites. In addition, Moonrakers offers an extensive wine list and drink menu. During the favorable weather days and busy summer months, local patrons and seasonal guests sitting outside on the waterfront deck and rooftop areas can enjoy the waterways in this fun, casual gathering place-type atmosphere.

 “Our management team is comprised of individuals whose backgrounds consist of more than a half-century of experience in food, restaurant, catering and hospitality management,” Stephens said. “We have hired the best people available, training, motivating and encouraging them, and thereby retaining the friendliest most efficient staff possible. This restaurant is a dream come true for myself and our team.”

In April, Moonrakers announced North Carolina-based artist Sharon Bass as their featured artist. “I’m much honored to be involved with Moonrakers; watching it come to life from the ground up,” said Bass. “It’s going to be an amazing new restaurant with equally amazing views of the Beaufort harbor and beyond. Views that take your breath away at any time of the day.”

“We feel fortunate to have Sharon Bass as our featured artist,” said Stephens. “She truly appreciates the Beaufort vistas as we do. Many of Sharon’s pieces are what you will see in Beaufort and along the Crystal Coast. Not only are her paintings a pleasure to see, they in turn help to bring the coastal atmosphere to Moonrakers for our guest to enjoy.”

For more information about Moonrakers, contact John Stephens at (252) 828-0083 or visit www.moonrakersbeaufort.com.