Manna has been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. It is the first restaurant in Wilmington to receive the designation.

Proprietor William Mellon said that the award came as a bit of a shock. While Manna had been designated a AAA Approved Restaurant, restaurant personnel did not know they were being evaluated for a Diamond Award.

“We are so fortunate to receive this designation,” said Mellon. “It’s really awesome to be the first in Wilmington to do so and we hope to lead the way for restaurants to follow.”

Twenty-two hotels and restaurants in central and eastern North Carolina received a Four Diamond Award this year. Two Wilmington hotels also received the designation; The Verandas, which has received the award for 13 years, and Graystone Inn, which has received it for 16 years. Other Four Diamond Restaurants in the region include Chef and The Farmer in Kinston, 1895 Grille in Pinehurst and The Fairview Dining Room in Durham.

“AAA’s requirements for a Four Diamond rating are rigorous, and those that achieve this designation are among the finest hotels and restaurants in the world,” said David E. Parsons, president and chief executive officer of AAA Carolinas.” Only 3.4 percent of the more than 59,000 annual inspections conducted nationally result in a Four Diamond rating.”
Mellon says that Manna will have to stay at the top of its game as the Four Diamond Award is given annually and therefore requires an annual unannounced evaluation.

“We set out to be a pillar in the restaurant community,” said Mellon. “And it means a lot to know we’re doing something right.”

Manna is located at 123 Princess Street in Downtown Wilmington.

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