Fresh Fish Company

During a recent brisk Colorado day, I stopped in for lunch at The Fresh Fish Company and
was warmly greeted by the hostess, who made me feel like one of the many regulars dining in the restaurant. As I was led to my table I was struck by the combination of the dark wood tones and the sparkle of stained glass accents throughout the dining area. I settled in and began reading the menu; I was quickly intrigued by the tempting options ranging from many varieties of fish and shellfish to prime rib and steaks. The menu is helpfully color coded to identify seafood items that are wild caught or farm raised, and dishes that are gluten free or contain nuts, seeds or dairy products.

I decided to start with the house calamari— jumbo squid strips breaded in panko and served with coconut curry and cocktail sauces. The tender morsels of squid are covered with a delightfully crispy coating and complemented with a variety of sauces. My favorite sauce, the coconut curry, was creamy and sweet, but finished with a zing of spice.

I then moved on to the smoked salmon salad. This filleted and deboned salmon is cold smoked with apple and hickory wood and then finished on the mesquite grill to sear in the natural juices. Blueberries, walnuts, and feta cheese nicely accompany the salmon, making this a very satisfying meal.

I couldn’t leave without trying dessert, especially the chocolate raspberry fantasy. Fantasy is right—one bite sent me into a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory state of mind!

This is a luscious, rich chocolate mousse with raspberry mousse swirls on a white chocolate brownie
crust, iced with chocolate ganache, which I enjoyed with a smooth latte. I asked for the owner, to compliment her and ask for the story of her success. Karen Kristopeit-Parker, co-owner with Chef Tim Bell since 2004, said The Fresh Fish Company has been serving Denver in its southeast location since 1981. The fish and shellfish are flown in every day from ports all over the world. Everything on the menu is
prepared in house to ensure freshness. “When guests come in, they are coming into my home,” said Karen. “I want to make sure they have a great time and a memorable experience and everything is perfect, from the service and cleanliness to the quality of the food.” Although the restaurant is known for its numerous varieties of fish and seafood, Karen added, “Tim, as chef, does an amazing job with the prime rib. It’s dry  rubbed and slow roasted for 24 hours and is a very popular item for Sunday brunch.”

Besides the main dining room, there is also the Black Pearl Oyster Bar, which offers specials Monday through Saturday. The restaurant ambiance and attentive wait staff make the experience relaxing and comfortable. This is a place where you can relax with friends or celebrate a special occasion. I’m already planning a trip back.

The Fresh Fish Company is located at 7800 East Hampden Avenue, Denver. Reservations are encouraged for weekends and holidays. Private party banquet rooms are available for groups of 10 to 250, with dance floor and DJ available. Call 303-740-9556 for more information, or visit thefreshfishco.com to preview the menu and find hours and specials.