We visited friends in Orange Beach Thursday afternoon and found ourselves hungry for something outstanding. There were many choices and many people out on Thursday night, but we hit it just right, and a table was waiting for us at Big Fish Restaurant and Bar.

Located in a small retail center on Canal Road, Big Fish offers a seasonal menu that is well-known for having a large variety of fresh, never-frozen seafood, beef, and sushi prepared daily. The selection of fish is impressive. Our friends, Jack, and Bevelyn Wallace know Leck and Jana Lilayuva, the owners of Big Fish, and Jack said he had seen Leck take delivery of freshly caught fish and hand-trim it on the spot for that evening's dinner crowd.

Big Fish has a nice atmosphere. The space is divided into several small white-tablecloth dining areas, which makes it feel cozy. There is a buzz of happy people but not so loud that you can’t carry on a conversation. The wait staff is attentive, friendly, and competent which makes for an enjoyable evening with friends. Everything on the menu looked fantastic. We started with a nice bottle of wine as we considered what to order.

All the fish items were inviting, and Bevelyn ordered the Tripletail, one of my favorites. You can have it sauteed, bronzed, blackened, grilled, or crispy fried. It is served with lemon-infused olive oil with mashed potatoes and spinach or “Big Fish Style, sauteed and topped with scallions and ginger over spinach and jasmine rice in a sherry soy broth.

Linda, Jack, and I opted for sushi. Jack and I chose the Red Dragon roll while Linda chose the Black Dragon. First, we ordered the Pork Gyoza appetizer to share, and Linda and I split a delicious Wedge salad. Perfect. We hesitated for just a moment before looking at the dessert menu. We couldn’t resist the house-made Coconut Tort. It was a good decision.

The story of Big Fish is an interesting love story. Asian-infused cuisine comes naturally. Leck’s father is from Bangkok and his mother is from Birmingham. He grew up along the Scenic 98 Coastal area working on his father’s long-line fishing boat. Leck worked every job imaginable in his father’s restaurant, Nicki’s Seafood and Thai in Orange Beach.

After high school, Leck was discovered by modeling agencies and worked in New York for a while before visiting family in Bangkok.  He found success modeling in Asia and Europe and enjoyed eating from street vendors and marketplaces and watching folks create different recipes and dishes.

A few years later, after returning to the Gulf Coast area, Leck met Jana and crafted a meal inspired by the cooks he had met while overseas, to impress her.  It worked! Jana was blown away and they soon became husband, wife, and business partners.

Drawing on their worldly experiences, cultures, and influences, they took a big leap of faith and opened Big Fish Restaurant in 2010 and created the menu with touches of Asian, European, and Southern cuisine. When Mimi Yi joined the team, Sushi was added to the menu.

Big Fish is a favorite of the locals. Customers often know each other, especially after the tourist season winds down. Leck, Jana, and Mimi are passionate about what they do. Jana runs the front of the house while Leck and Mimi are in the kitchen making sure each dish is exceptional. It truly is a unique dining experience in a chic, upscale, and inviting atmosphere.

We can’t wait to go back!

Posted 
Feb 23, 2023
 in 
Epicurean Delights
 category

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