The Fish Bowl in Langley was recently recognized as one of the best with an Award of Distinction 2006 for outstanding food and service from TopRestaurants.com. The international organization represents restaurants worldwide.

Maureen Cooke, owner of the Fish Bowl, was honored to have received such an award.

“I was surprised. I was quite thrilled,” she said.

With the honors came a big plaque and lots of positive feedback from on the island and off.

While praise from outsiders is great, locals are the ones that really matter, Cooke said.

“We did build it for the locals, not for the tourists,” she said.

The Fish Bowl got its start in 2001. Living on a beautiful island surrounded by water, Cooke and co-founder Ray felt that the community needed a fish restaurant.

They worked every day together fine tuning all aspects of the business.

Sadly, Ray passed away in October 2005, but Cooke still works every day at the restaurant and enjoys it tremendously.

As a thank-you to the community, the Fish Bowl is introducing a few new ideas.

Since the winter and short days have descended upon Whidbey Island, Cooke and her staff are trying to entice everyone to try the fine dining establishment.

There is now a happy hour. And starting immediately, the daily happy hour will feature half-price wines from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays is now Tapas Tuesdays at the Fish Bowl. Every week, guests can get three tapas for $15.

The Fish Bowl will also offer some less expensive options on the new menu and they hope people will dine out more often, Cooke said.

On Wednesdays, there will be a special dinner offered at a very affordable price. This Wednesday, Dec. 6, all-you-can-eat mussels are the “value meal.” Old favorites are still on the menu.

“Salmon and halibut are our signature dishes,” Cooke said with a caveat. “Halibut is out of season now and we only do fresh.”

Many would say the secret is in the sauce.

“My chef is brilliant with sauces,” Cooke said.

Fresh mussels and oysters are always on the menu and the Fish Bowl has a large wine selection.

“We have the full range, from inexpensive to the reserves,” she said.

The Fish Bowl is open five days a week during the winter months, Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Call for reservations at 221-6511

View the new menu at www.fishbowlrestaurant.com.