Welcome to The Blue Turtle!

Online, April 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Still boasting the same long-time owner, friendly staff,
great food and flowing spirits, G.F. Keagans, a local's favorite, has changed its name. Now, The Blue Turtle offers a Caribbean-style twist to its decor, updated menu selections such as the popular cheese board and lettuce wraps, and enticing events, such as gourmet 5-course wine dinners.

Luckily, what hasn't changed, is the charm of the place. The tavern has a relaxed, local beach-style atmosphere, complete with a raw bar, 'Best of the Beach' She-Crab soup, and cozy outdoor heated decks. The unpretentious atmosphere and good food attracts many musicians, including David Carter, Dahna Rowe and Jesse Chong.

Six-year owner Mardy Colling commented: "It's a comfortable place to be. To this day I still have some original staff...and we greet our regulars by name when they walk in. You just can't find that anywhere."

When her 3-year name contract with the Keagans Group was up, owner Mardy Colling decided to hold a name-change contest among her loyal patrons. Costing only $5 to enter, with proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project (near and dear to her heart), and the SPCA...voila! The concept took off. Hundreds of entries came in. She
knew immediately that The Blue Turtle was the winner.

The Blue Turtle started with a dream Mardy and her husband Kevin had many years ago. After his career in the Navy, they talked of opening an open-air restaurant near (or attached to) a Dive shop. Both were passions of the couple. Another passion of Kevin's was flying, and his dream was fulfilled when he was selected to join the Navy Blue Angel Team. However, due to a tragic training accident, his life was cut short.

After continuing her 26-year career in the film industry, Mardy decided to pursue their dream and take over a restaurant. G.F. Keagan's became her destination.

"Our new name encompasses everything I wanted the restaurant to be," says Mardy. "The atmosphere here is like relaxing in the Caribbean, the 'Turtle' brings back memories of Kevin and me diving with the turtles, and of course 'Blue' represents my love and respect for the Navy and all services that impassioned my husband."

Mardy invites you to The Blue Turtle. She promises you will feel like a regular and a beach local as soon as you walk in! Come see how they fare at the East Coast She Crab Soup Classic, on April 30, at the 24th Street Park at the oceanfront (from noon - 3:00 pm)!