By Mari D’Albora Dattolo
When the Inn at Sugar Hill reopened this summer, it wasn’t the success of just one family, but the journey of two that brought Mays Landings’ beloved “Moore Villa” back from the edge of an uncertain future.
Owner Wendy Fabietti of Margate had an introduction to business early as the youngest of five, in the Palmisano Family trucking business. It was through her association with another prominent South Jersey family, Victor and Alda Fabietti, that she met and married her husband Victor Jr, in April 1993. Together they raised two sons, Victor III and Matthew.
With the opening of their first food and beverage venture in 2019, Pork Island Grill in Ocean City, came award winning success. There, their paths converged with their Executive Chef, Israel “Izzy” Rodriguez.
Izzy perfected his craft at the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, graduating with honors in 2005. Today he works in tandem with his wife Alisha, who manages the Bed and Breakfast operations of this historic 1846 Inn. Like Wendy and Vic, Izzy and Alisha are also proud parents, raising 16 year old Shayla, 12 year old Angelise and 7 year old Israel III.
Izzy’s culinary career has brought him from the kitchens of Maloney’s in Margate, to Sous Chef at the Continental at the Pier Shops in Atlantic City to gourmet dining as an Executive Sous Chef with Robert’s at Taj Mahal Casino Hotel, followed by nine years with Chickie & Petes. Izzy had only one professional goal: to run his own steak and seafood house. Together with the Fabietti’s, he’s seeing that dream to fruition!
With her entrepreneurial prowess, Wendy foresaw the opportunity to resurrect the celebrated landmark. Fulfilling a monumental dream for Izzy and Alisha, she and Vic purchased the Inn at Sugar Hill in June 2021. They immediately opened the Inn’s centuries’ old B &B guest rooms, followed by Izzy’s River Landing on the banks of the Great Egg Harbor River just weeks later. Featuring Live entertainment four nights a week, the outdoor dining deck offers a raw bar with lunch and dinner fare six days a week. As word traveled throughout South Jersey, both local and transient boaters began arriving at the property’s waterfront dock. Night after night saw sold-out summer crowds igniting excitement in the town’s center not seen in years! With the start of football season, the party tent was enclosed and big-screen televisions were installed as an option for watching the games accompanied by Izzy’s outstanding menu selections.
Coming this November, the warmth and hospitality of country inn dining come indoors with the unveiling of Izzy’s Steak and Seafood House. Featured steaks are all Certified Angus including: Bone-in New York Strip, Center Cut Filet, Cowboy Steak, American Wagyu Flat Iron Steak, and Bone-in Center Cut Pork Chop. Reservations are necessary.
The acquisition of this historic Inn could only be appreciated more by ‘William Moore’ himself; the original owner and statesman who envisioned his beautiful property perched atop a high bluff, overlooking the Great Egg Harbor River. Today we imagine he is resting more comfortably knowing his beloved Sugar Hill is being lovingly managed under the care and direction of the Inn’s first female owner, Wendy Fabiett, I, and Executive Chef, Izzy Rodriguez. Welcome to the neighborhood!
5704 Somers Point – Mays Landing Road
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-625-2226
