Small Business Spotlight: 801 Fish
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 1:25AMArticle by Becky Fillinger, photos provided
A Discussion with Executive Chef Lawrence Kirkland
Craving delicious seafood in a mind-blowing beautiful atmosphere? Make your way to 801 Fish at 800 Nicollet Mall. We talked to Chef Lawrence Kirkland about his journey to heading up the team at 801 Fish, the various menu choices the restaurant offers and the upscale dining experience awaiting you. Try the Lobster Fried Rice – delicious!
Q: Congratulations on the opening of 801 Fish! This isn’t your first time as a seafood chef. Could you tell us the culinary journey that led you to 801 Fish?
A: My culinary journey started in Tucson, Arizona. I enrolled in a vocational class at my high school called Food and Hospitality - I was immediately hooked on the culture and atmosphere and decided, “This is what I wanted to do moving forward." I attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale and shortly after graduating landed my first job at the JW Marriott in Starr Pass. This was a beautiful Golf resort that gave me my first exposure of high volume and the different titles and roles in the kitchen. From there I decided it was time to leave Arizona, so I packed all my things and drove up to Seattle to start a new endeavor in, what was to me, a foreign city. Once in Seattle I started working at the Hyatt Regency and expanded my knowledge of banquets, catering and events.
After being in Seattle for a short while, I connected with a family friend who happened to play football for the Seattle Seahawks and was interested in changing his eating habits for the better. He offered me a full-time position and a ticket to Detroit after he was suddenly traded to a different team. From here I started a personal chef business named The Taste of Victory, where I prepared meals for athletes and their families for about the next three years. I got the itch to get back into commercial kitchens and was convinced to move to Minneapolis where I eventually found The Oceanaire. Over the next 8 years I moved around with the company to multiple locations, holding various positions until hearing about a grand opportunity to work for the 801 Restaurants group!
801 Fish is located at 800 Nicollet Mall
Q: That is quite a journey, and it shows your depth of experience in the food industry. Let’s now move to your current Executive Chef position. How would you describe the culinary style and theme of the seafood dishes at 801 Fish?
A: I describe my style as bold and refined. Bold in reference to the flavor profiles and seasoning used. You will find a heavy Asian, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences within our dishes. Refined in our way of taking simple ideas and ingredients and presenting them in an elevated way that is interesting and approachable.
Q: How did you approach the menu development, especially when it comes to creating a balance of flavors and textures in seafood dishes, taking into account our Midwestern palates?
A: I approach menu development simply by finding dishes that traditionally lend themselves well to seafood. We have a lot of diverse Midwestern palates on our chef team, so tending to our local palate was easy. Check out our menu here.
Lobster Roll
Steamed Mussels
Q: 801 Fish's interior is gorgeous - what kind of dining experience do you aim to create for customers in terms of ambiance and service?
A: We aim for an upscale dining experience from start to finish. We understand there are other options, but our commitment to excellence in service and use of ultra-fresh ingredients is what sets us apart from most.
Q: What is your personal favorite seafood dish, and will it be featured on the menu?
A: I personally love to eat whole fish any time I can. I feel that keeping the bones and body attached during the cooking process really fortifies the fresh fish flavor in the finished product. We like to feature at least 2 types of whole fish on our menu at any given time.
Q: I must return for the whole fish – you’ve convinced me. How may we stay up to date with news of 801 Fish?
A: Please follow us on Instagram @801Fishmsp. Come visit us too!
