Though a fire delayed plans for a new restaurant in the building that formerly housed LongHorn Steakhouse on Iris Drive, the wait will be well worth it when The Fish House opens in early February. 

Hailed as a “casual fish restaurant with a polished atmosphere” by owner Angelo Laios, who is the president of Atlanta’s Ionian Foods, the restaurant will seat approximately 300 people and is set to employ about 40. This is the fourth restaurant for the Ionian group, which also owns three other eateries in the Atlanta area. 

According to Laios, the menu will boast a mix of shellfish, clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, lobster, crab and an assortment of fish and will feature a catch of the day. With a modern bar, booth and table seating, customers will also be able to view fish selections displayed on ice. 

Ionian Foods Group had a major set-back when a fire sparked by lightening destroyed the building in March of 2011. Rand Construction Corporation of Alpharetta is the contractor for the project.