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Naval Academy Venue
Wins Award

he Alley at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.,
Trecently received a gold award from the National Asso-
ciation of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
in the Retail Sales – Single Concept category.
The venue, a full-service, fine dining restaurant, was named
for the bowling alley originally located in the lower level of
the Naval Academy Club. It offers a casual ambience in a
historic, warm and inviting atmosphere, with a top-of-the-line
bar, a spacious dining room and ample buffet space.
Emily Stinemire, The Alley restaurant manager, believes
the venue won the award because of the seamless connection
between its historic
ambiance and five-
star service. “We
offer more than
just a meal in The
Alley — we offer
an experience. It is
such a thrill for our
customers to sit
in the same booth

where great officers and leaders have dined, and to enjoy an
incredible meal. We don’t let the military stereotype define
us, rather we push to be more creative in the kitchen and to
expand palates. The Alley’s past is a symbol of progress and
flexibility, seeing as it used to be a bowling alley and now
serves as a five-star dining experience. This mentality allows
us to push the limits and strive for more.”
The space is open to the public for lunch Monday to Friday,
and is a members-only club after 2 p.m. Members include
military officers of all branches of service, Academy faculty
and staff, alumni and parents of midshipmen.
“The 2017 Loyal E. Horton Gold Award is the culmination
of years of hard work by every member of the Retail Dining
team,” said Phil Allison, deputy director of the Naval Academy
Business Services Division. “We embraced the objective and
have worked tirelessly to position our restaurant to win such
a prestigious honor. To have our peers in NACUFS recognize
our efforts is humbling and rewarding. We’ll now look to work
together to maintain this level of service for years to come
in support of the United States Naval Academy’s mission.”

MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | AUGUST 2017