One of Alabama’s hidden dining gems, Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar in the Baldwin County fishing village of Bon Secour, is closing its original location today and will be moving soon into a new location.

“It’s bittersweet,” the restaurant announced on its Facebook page earlier today. “Today is our last day of operation in the location that has been home for the past 20 years.

“As this chapter comes to a close, we are excited to begin the next chapter in our new location on the Bon Secour River in the near future. We will announce our opening once our move is finalized. Our new address will be 17451 County Road 49 South in Bon Secour.

“Come on by for one last meal at our original location if you can. If not, we look forward to seeing you soon at the new one.

“Thanks, everyone for your love and support over the years. We look forward to seeing everyone soon.”

Bob and Patty Hallmark were newcomers to the restaurant business when they opened Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar among the Spanish moss-draped oaks at 6232 Bon Secour Highway 20 years ago.

Bob had been a general contractor and Patty a schoolteacher, and part of their motivation for opening a restaurant was simply Bob’s frustration at not being able to find a great steak in Baldwin County at the time.

Their New Orleans-influenced restaurant — the “Pearl of Bon Secour,” the Hallmarks like to call it — quickly became known not only for the steaks but also for the bounty of fresh Gulf seafood at their immediate disposal.

One of the house specialties, the Tender Fenton, is the best of both worlds – a 10-ounce tenderloin and an order of Tin Top’s signature Oysters Fenton served together in a bowl of Hallmark’s house-made steak sauce. The dish is crowned with two pieces of toasted French bread for dipping and dredging.

Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar is featured on AL.com’s list of 9 Hidden Alabama Restaurant Gems, and the Tender Fenton is one of AL.com’s 68 Must-Try Alabama Dishes.