New venture by Original Fish Co. opens doors

Pictured are Zac Rothman and Vanessa Travis.

The Original Fish Co.’s new restaurant Off the Hook has officially opened its doors in Los Alamitos.

Located next to the main restaurant, Off the Hook has an innovative menu that includes seafood, pasta, salads and comfort foods. Among the choices: fresh oysters, short rib tacos and crispy rice and spicy tuna and fried chicken sliders.

There’s also a bar with signature cocktails such as Lavender Bees Knees, a Scorpion bowl for two with floating orchid, premium-well cocktails and a selection of craft beers on tap.

“We’re excited about the new dining and lounge space,” said Wendi DeBie, owner of the Original Fish Co. “I think our guests will be pleased with the concept. It’s a casual alternative to the multi-course dining experience next door at the Original Fish Co.”

The new venture was created by Wendi’s children, Vanessa Travis, who has been a managing partner of the Original Fish Co. for more than 20 years, and her younger brother Zac Rothman, also a successful restaurateur.

“Dining should be about celebrating great food, service and cocktails with friends and family,” said Vanessa. “In addition, when you have these elements in a fun, festive atmosphere, it makes people happy and creates an event and a great night out.”

The Original Fish Co. underwent major renovations two years ago, adding more dining space, a large bar and expanded fish market. It continues to feature multi-course meals with an emphasis on grilled fresh fish.

The new restaurant, Off the Hook, is located in the same Los Alamitos Boulevard complex. It also emphasizes seafood, including salmon, oysters, tuna and prawns, but also adds burgers, ribeye, vegetarian dishes and various other popular menu items.

An outdoor patio will open in near future, and a lunch menu will be added. Currently Off the Hook is only open for dinner.

Joo Sung Lee has been named chef at Off the Hook and will team up with up with Chef Pepe Martinez, who has run the Original Fish Company kitchen for 37 years.

Lee, originally from Seoul South Korea, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York City and mastered his craft while working for places such as Katsuya, the SBE Group, and Monarch Beach Resort.

Off the Hook at the Original Fish Company is at 11061 Los Alamitos Blvd. next door to the main restaurant. It opens daily at 4 p.m. except Sundays, when it opens at 3 p.m. Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 3-5 p.m. on Sundays.