Reviewed by: Pat Byington
CLOSED: Popular Orange Beach restaurant + home of James Beard-nominated chef
BySarah Gronberg
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One of Alabama’s gems is the coastal cuisine on the Gulf, and we’re losing one of the best spots to get it. Playa at Sportsman Marina, home to James Beard Chef Bill Briand, just announced that they are closed for business. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Playa closed in Orange Beach
Playa at Sportsman Marina has been a popular dining destination for years in Orange Beach (Playa at Sportsman Marina / Facebook)
Offering authentic coastal classics like fish tacos and fried oysters, as well as experimental dishes like conch fritters, Playa at Sportsman Marina has been a Gulf Coast favorite for five years.
Here’s what they had to say about the close of this chapter:
“We would like to first say, how much we have greatly appreciated our Orange Beach and Gulf Coast community over the past 5 years.
Unfortunately, it is time to shut our doors for good. We have decided as a company to focus our talent and energy on our sister restaurant Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina.
We cannot thank you all enough for the love and support! Who knows, maybe those favorite Playa specials will make an appearance at Fisher’s!
We love you all and hope to see you in the near future at Fisher’s!!”
Playa at Sportsman Marina on Facebook
So, it’s not all bad news. Though it’s hard to imagine Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina getting any better than it already is, we’re excited to see how the new developments bring Fisher’s to the next level.
About Chef Bill Briand
Chef Bill Briand, the culinary mastermind behind both Playa and Fisher’s, trained with the one-and-only Emeril Lagasse for eight years.
After learning with the best-of-the-best in the culinary world, Chef Briand started opening his own restaurants. In 2013, he and Johnny Fisher opened Fisher’s in Orange Beach, followed by sister concept Playa at Sportsman Marina.
Chef Briand and his restaurants concepts have one many awards, but being named a James Beard Best Chef-South semifinalist multiple times takes the cake (or seafood, in this case).
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