Three local restaurants have received the Healthy Dining Diamond A awards from the Moore County Board of Health.

Chef Warren's in Southern Pines, Lady Bedford's Tea Parlour in Pinehurst and Upro in Aberdeen were awarded their plaques during a special presentation last month.

The Diamond A award recognizes restaurants and food service establishments that provide clean and safe environments and offer healthy food choices to their patrons.

Criteria are a 97 percent or higher unadjusted sanitation grade for the past year, no smoking on the premises and a menu clearly marked to offer healthy food choices.

"The program is designed to increase public awareness of food service establishments that exceed standards and expectations regarding food safety," said Stephen Blecharczyk, chairman of the health board. "Food safety is an important part of the county health department's effort to protect the public.

"For the second year in a row, Chef Warren's and Lady Bedford's Tea Parlour have received Diamond A awards."

In addition, 12 restaurants and food service establishments received Moore County Healthy Dining Platinum A awards for having a 97 percent unadjusted sanitation grade for one year and providing a smoke-free environment.

Golden A awards were presented to 60 restaurants and food service establishments for having a 97 percent unadjusted grade for one year.

An unadjusted sanitation score is a score that does not include the two extra points for completing a Serve-Safe food handling course.

Established in 2008, the Healthy Dining Program underwent a few changes this year because of the new state law prohibiting smoking in any establishment that serves food and receives sanitation inspections from the health department or any bar that holds a state permit authorizing the sale of malt beverages, wine or mixed drinks on its premises, with very few exceptions. The law, House Bill 2, went into effect Jan. 2.

Platinum A winners are Chik-fil-A, Food Lion Meat Market No. 353 Pinehurst Plaza, Mount Pleasant Grocery, New Century Middle School, Southern Middle School, West End Elementary School, North Moore High School cafeteria, Westmoore Elementary School cafeteria, Potter's Cafe, Subway Robbins, Pinehurst halfway house No. 1, and Wine Cellar and Tasting Room.

Golden A award winners are Pinehurst No. 8, Dugan's Pub, Country Kitchen House of Pancakes, Forest Creek Clubhouse, Sandhills-Farm Life School cafeteria, CCNC halfway house, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Forest Creek Health Center, Domino's Pizza;

Quality Mart, The Bluff, Dairy Queen, Seven Lakes Snack Shack, Pizza Hut No. 2553, Pinehurst halfway house No. 3 and 5;

Subway Pinecrest Plaza, Kangaroo No. 475, Mr. D's Takeaway, Hampton Inn Breakfast Bar, Forest Creek North halfway house, Biscuitville No. 161, Elks Club halfway house, Walmart Deli, Subway-Walmart, Quizno's, Subway-Seven Lakes, Pinehurst halfway house No. 4, Hardee's Aberdeen;

Subway-Vass, Quik Check No. 49, Burger King, Lowes Foods Deli No. 168 Robbins, Papa John's, 705 Drive-In, Bojangle's, Jersey Mike's;

Food Lion Deli Carthage, Lowes Foods seafood No. 160-Pinehurst, Food Lion meat market-Pinecrest Plaza, Food Lion meat market-Carthage, That's a Deli, Miller Family Restaurant, El Vaquero II, Jake's Place, Lobsteer Inn, Starbucks, Pik-N-Pig, Wolcott's, Lowes Foods deli No. 160-Pinehurst, Panera Bread, Harris Teeter meat market, Lowes Foods meat market No. 160-Pinehurst, Korner Kitchen, Sonic Drive-In, Pizza Cafe, Robbins Senior Center, Sandhills Woman's Exchange, Dewberry Deli, Coach Light Trattoria and Pinehurst halfway house No. 6.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@thepilot.com.