Fish On! premiers at Villages of Five Points as featured in the June 4, 2004, issue of the Cape Gazette By Andrew Keegan Diners craving the ultimate in creative, fresh seafood will no longer have to journey to Redfin Seafood Grill in South Bethany. Matt Haley and Bryony Zeigler, the duo who helped create the highly successful, cutting edge restaurant 20 miles South on Route 1, are displaying their talents for Lewes. Located in the Villages of Five Points, Fish On! opened for business May 28. The spacious, open restaurant reflects their philosophy of “less is more.” A soaring ceiling with exposed duct work, stained concrete flooring and a sparkling silver bar, all contribute to a feeling of openness. Wood flooring and plush chairs in the lounge create a welcoming atmosphere. Although the restaurant seats 120 - with an additional 50 on the patio - diners will note, and appreciate, consideration given to ample spacing. Leather booths and banquets are complemented by cherry furniture. Sand-filled pails sprouting fishing poles dot the dining area. The name, Fish On!, was drummed up by a friend of Haley’s. “Laurie Weeks, whose husband is a manager at Booksandcoffee in Ruddertowne, actually came up with the name before we had the restaurant,” said Haley. According to Haley, there are only three elements transferred to Fish On! from Redfin. “Good food, good service at a good price,” he said. “No matter where we go, that will always be what we bring to a restaurant.” The restaurant carries more than 50 wines, eight types of champagne, several dessert wines, local and imported bottled beer as well as four varieties of icy cold draft beer. Using a secret recipe obtained in Costa Rica, bartender Dave Green concocts the ultimate, refreshing Mojito in addition to an ultra smooth red sangria. Heading the kitchen of Fish On! is Executive Chef Nino Mancari, who created the menu at Redfin. Mancari spent the greater part of this past winter cooking at various restaurants throughout Europe. The menu reflects the restaurant’s name - in other words get ready for an incredible array of seafood dishes. Appetizers, ranging from $3 to $16, include pan-roasted clams in a tomato broth, fried baby lobster tails, whole smoked trout and fried calamari. Besides incorporating local seafood into the menu, Mancari utilizes one of Delaware’s largest agricultural crop - soybeans. The versatile bean is served steamed with a smattering of sea salt, and paired with corn in a fresh twist on succotash. Entree’s range from $16 to $38 and are primarily seafood, although there are two beef and two pasta dishes on the menu. A roasted halibut served with veal stock reduction, roasted cod with a celery and leek salad and Lewes fish stew - a combination of shellfish and fish in a carrot, coconut broth - are a few items on the menu. Unique desserts include a melt-in-the-mouth chocolate bread pudding, a homemade doughnut served with coffee milk, key lemon pie with blueberry sauce, and strawberry rhubarb crisp with vanilla bean ice cream. Fish On! is located in the Villages of Five Points, just off Route 1. The restaurant is open seven days a week for dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Beginning the middle of June, the restaurant will begin serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are not accepted. For further information call 645-9790.