The invitation was for 4 guests so I was able to bring my husband and extend the invite to my brother and his fiancé. Leah invited me the night before the event so we had to somehow figure out how she can get the actual invitation to me so I can get in.
The day of the soft opening, on her very busy day prepping to cater to all the soft opening guests of Smoking Fins, Leah found a way to make time to meet me while I was getting my nails done at I–Nails (another favorite place of mine that I frequent) located at the same shopping center as Smokin Fins. Invitation in hand, I am now officially a Smokin Fins Family and Friends Night guest!
The invitation was for 6:30 pm MST. My husband and I met my brother and fiancé in the front of the restaurant at 6:30 pm sharp! We were greeted at the door by a man and a woman who had welcome smiles on their faces. We stepped in an already hopping and happening place where people are already gathered to check out the new location and sample the fare. We were welcomed by 3 smiling hostesses as we continued to walk in the restaurant to show our invitation. After I told them we were guests of Chef Leah and once they got our approval that were okay to be seated on a high top table, we were quickly ushered to our table where someone gave us our menus and told us that our server will further explain how to order for the night and what to expect during the soft opening event.
The whole menu was open for us to sample. The only restriction was each member of our group can only choose one item from the menu categories: Sushi, Fins Tacos, Fins Bowls, Things we Put on Plates, Handhelds and Entrée Salads. As a group we also can choose one appetizer from the Crave and Share category to share. In addition to the food, non-alcoholic drinks are on the house and a surprise dessert was included as an added treat!
After much discussion on what to order, we decided to share the lobster stuffed avocado and asked if we can pay for and add the key lime calamari. For dinner, my husband picked from the Sushi category and ordered the Mojo, my brother got the Prime from the Handhelds, his fiancé picked the Salmon Caesar under the Entrée Salads. Of course I was the one who can’t decide what to get from the vast menu selections. I debated to get my usual go to order of Tokyo but because my brother’s fiancé already claimed the Entrée Salad category, I went ahead and made my selection from the category, Things We Put on Plates, and chose the Seared Scallop & Ahi. My husband and brother also tried two different kinds of cold Sake suggested by our server.
While waiting for our food, one of the owners who I’ve once met at the Littleton location came and said hello to us at our table. He thanked us for coming and for our business. We chatted about how thrilled we are to have a Smokin Fins restaurant in our neighborhoods and how we always have a great experience and delicious food when we come dine at the Littleton locations. The trainers and our server were also constantly checking on us making sure that we are having a great time and everything was good. The only damper to the whole evening was not seeing Chef Leah that night. The kitchen, as you can imagine, was busy and hopping so Chef Leah didn’t get the opportunity to come out to our table to say hello. Chef Leah probably had the best sleep that night after working in the Smokin Fin kitchen that day!
The food came quickly and we were all happy with our meal selections as everything was delicious! The surprise dessert that we got to share was their Seasonal Cheesecake which was to die for!
The Highlands Ranch’s Smokin Fins location officially opened on July 30. We can’t wait to come back and dine there again!
About Leah Eveleigh
Chef Leah Eveleigh used her Filipino roots to become the first Denver chef to dominate her episode on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, a reality-based TV show hosted by Alton Brown. Eveleigh, a native of the Philippines, moved to the U.S. nearly 30 years ago and decided to call Colorado home in 2000. She gained popularity at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival selling dishes inspired by her roots and opened Chef Leah’s Kitchen, which offers private chef, cooking demonstrations and catering services.
Before her TV appearance, Chef Leah Eveleigh found success locally. Her accomplishments include winning first and second place at culinary competitions at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, being named Westword‘s “Best of Denver” in 2008 for her banana lumpia (a fried banana dessert) and finding success as an entrepreneur. Although she was happy to dominate Cutthroat Kitchen, Eveleigh says being chosen as a contestant to work with the host Alton Brown and other talented chefs from all over the country was an achievement in itself.
In her spare time, Eveleigh enjoys spending time with her family and traveling, which she says allows her to expand her flavor palate by sampling the cuisine of other cultures. Eveleigh also practices yoga, which keeps her calm and poised and helps her maintain a balanced mind and body.
About Smokin Fins
Smokin Fins is a regional restaurant concept featuring a unique menu that blends ocean-fresh seafood, sushi, and house-smoked specialties such as Smoked Prime Rib and Slow Smoked Pulled Pork. Smokin Fins truly is a food and beverage destination with something for everyone!
Each location continues to impress every guest with great service and a distinctive menu created by Chef Wiley Earl. Chef Wiley boasts an impressive resume featuring restaurants from New York City to Miami Beach that include internationally acclaimed Nobu and Nygard Cay. Our guests can look forward to creative and fresh ideas coming from our local Chefs every day. Locally owned and operated, Smokin Fins delivers diverse flavors influenced by Asian, Mexican and Northwest cuisines.
Smokin Fins’ menus offer a little something for everyone from the classics such as Fish and Chips, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and Shrimp Scampi to the exotic such as the Tropical Lobster Roll, 48 Hour Nashville Chicken, and 6 Spice Ahi. Gluten-free and kids menus are also available. The drink menu boasts exciting flavor combinations to tantalize your taste buds. The Jalapeno Cilantro Margarita kicks up the spice and citrus with fresh jalapenos, lime juice, and oranges while the signature Smokin Gun features Fins’ Bourbon Caramel syrup, candied bacon, and smoldering rosemary.
Smokin Fins is part of the “Fins” restaurant concepts based in Idaho that includes their sister concept Lucky Fins Seafood Grill. Every Fins brand of restaurant focuses on building relationships within its community, from hosting local business meetings, school fundraiser participation, donations and support for local non-profit organizations.
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