Ed Thomas and Richard Johnson, owners of Gulfstream Restaurant, along with managing partner Zach Comis, formerly of Sienna Trattoria and Pizetta’s, have now opened Fins Island Buffet & Grill in Carolina Beach.
 
Though Fins occupies a prime piece of Pleasure Island real estate, the space at 300 N. Lake Park Blvd. has seen its share of turnover. The past few occupants -- The Shack at Dockside, The Landing Bar & Grill and Tangerine Caribbean Grill -- each lasted little more than a season.
 
Comis, who serves as both executive chef and general manager of the new venture, said he and his team have a plan in place to sustain the restaurant beyond the peak season.
 
“While the buffet is appealing to many guests during the summer season, we also see a high demand for a really well done bar and grill,” Comis said.
 
Fins owners have added a fully covered, open-air rooftop addition scheduled to open the first week in May. The space contains a full bar and about 60 seats where a bar and grill menu will be served. The menu, according to Comis, will feature fish tacos, seafood po-boys, burgers, sandwiches and a variety of appetizers.
 
The lower level of Fins will offer a seafood buffet, with a rotating selection of Calabash seafood and Southern-style side dishes. Comis said everything is made from scratch, and he strives to bring an element of fine dining to each of his dishes. The buffet is priced at $21.95 without crab legs and $29.95 with crab legs included. There is also special pricing for children.
 
Comis said he and his partners are aware the buffet may not be sustainable through the winter and therefore they are comfortable offering just the bar and grill menu downstairs in the off-season. Should they decide to go that route, they plan to use the buffet area for holidays such as Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve as well as private events.
 
Comis said having the bar and grill menu not only provides Fins customers with choices beyond the buffet, but may well be their lifeblood in the off-season.
 
The buffet is open daily from 4 to 9p.m. The rooftop bar will open in May and serve from 11 a.m. until midnight or 2 a.m.
 
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