Steve's Steakhouse Wins Award

Southern California Restaurant Writers Award Steve Bray of Steve's Steakhouse “Humanitarian of the Year”

Avalon- California- May 23, 2011 - Steve Bray, owner and operating manager at Steve’s Steakhouse, was recently honored by the Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc., as the “2011 Humanitarian of the Year “ for his contributions to the community of Avalon.

Formed in 1975 to improve the quality of the restaurant industry in Southern California, the organization, whose membership consists of professionals in all aspects of the media, bestows awards upon restaurants and individuals whose standards of quality and service deserve special recognition. Restaurants are evaluated by members of the organization throughout the year and are rated on a scale of 1-100. Each year award winners are chosen from restaurants stretching from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border and winners are then presented at an annual ceremony and then are published for the general public.

Steve Bray is deeply honored to receive this award, following renowned chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck who was awarded Humanitarian of the Year in 2010.

“I had no idea I had been awarded this honor,” Steve commented “I showed up to the usual monthly board of directors meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and it was announced at the meeting and everyone was congratulating me. I was stoked.”

Steve also stated that he couldn’t have achieved 10 years of operating a successful business and having time to contribute to the community with out the dedication and help of his sons Bryce & Steven, restaurant manager Richard Alderdice, chef Frank Blair, Ricardo Rodriguez in the kitchen, his whole staff for making such a great team and his right arm and hostess Margaret Holguin.

In addition to working 24/7 at his restaurant, Steve has always found time to contribute to the community he loves. He founded the annual "Just for the Halibut, Just For the Kids Tournament" with all proceeds going to kids programs throughout Catalina Island. The much-loved yearly event takes place the first weekend in June. To-date the event has raised more than $500,000 for youth programs on Catalina Island.

Since opening 10 years ago, Steve’s Steakhouse has also racked up a few other awards. At the annual Avalon Taste Around, Steve’s was voted “Best of Taste” in 2008, “Best of Drink” in 2009 and “Best Non-Alcoholic Drink” in 2010. Other accolades include a prestigious ZAGAT rating as well as an approved Automobile Club AAA restaurant.

Steve, who comes from a long line of pioneers of the Island, could not be more deserving. As a fourth generation islander, Steve’s family’s heritage traces back to the days before William Wrigley owned the island. His great grandfather, Earnest Windle, worked for the Banning Brothers; was the 1st county judge of Avalon for 63 years; and whose most notable contribution was writing and publishing Catalina Island history books and founding the first local newspaper in Avalon in 1915, The Catalina Islander. Steve’s grandfather was the local sheriff & constable for 25 years, and his father was a boat captain for 55 years and ran Avalon Mooring Service for some 25 years.

Coming from such island lineage, Steve inherited a love for the community, hardworking ethics, a profound respect for honesty, and a desire to satisfy visitors needs. Keeping with his up bringing, Steve found his calling in the restaurant industry at an early age, which led him to become one of the most successful and respected restaurateurs in Avalon today.

Steve apprenticed at many seafood eateries starting with his first job in 1972 at Avalon’s well-known fine dining restaurant Up Stairs Place. After years apprenticing in Avalon and on the mainland, Steve returned to the island in 1986 gaining management position at Avalon’s well-known Armstrong’s Seafood Restaurant, where he learned the restaurant industry inside and out.

In 1995, he partnered with the well-respected owner of Armstrong’s Seafood Restaurant, Russ Armstrong, in purchasing Shipwreck Joey’s now known as Casino Dock Café. Creating a new menu and developing new ambience with live music every weekend, the partnership and restaurant became an instant hit.

With the success of Casino Dock Café and his years at Armstrong’s, Steve took the opportunity to purchase his own restaurant on April 1, 2001. Ironically, the location was the exact location of his 1st job at the Up Stairs Place. Steve said, “At the time, people said I was a fool to buy it. But I played the fool, and glad I did.”

Located upstairs just steps from the pier, Steve’s Steakhouse opens its doors everyday for lunch and dinner welcoming locals and visitors to suburb and friendly service, an excellent location, and a fine fare of steaks & seafood, an excellent wine list and a full bar pouring the best spirits.  For more information on Steve's Steakhouse or for reservations for lunch or dinner, please contact 310-510-0333