Executive Chef at Work: Chef Larry Joachin prepares a meal selection at his new seafood restaurant known as Brothers International Seafood and Grill in the shopping center near Ace Hardware. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Larry Joachin has always had a dream of being the executive chef and operate his own restaurant. And while he has worked in at least 100 restaurants on the East Coast, he has come to love living in Lehigh and believe this is where he wanted to go into business.

Joachin is the executive chef at the new Brothers International Seafood and Grill at 1171 Homestead Rd. next to the GNC store.

It’s at the same place where Mr. and Mrs. Barbecue were located.

But inside is completely different with an atmosphere of the sea. There are photos along the walls of different fish and beach scenes.

“The whole inside was gutted and done over,” Joachin said proudly.

New seafood restaurant ribbon cutting: Marylou Land, Lehigh’s honorary mayor, reads a citation welcoming the opening of the new Brothers International Seafood and Grill at 1171 Homestead Rd. Also shown in the photo are Chamber members and the restaurant’s manager. They are from left to right, David Meyers, Vickie A. Hay, Chef Larry Joachin, Manager Mavis Becker, Honorary Mayor Marylou Land, Mike Beitzinger, and Lehigh Chamber CEO and President, Joe Whalen. Photo by Mel Toadvine

“We have always hear that the people of Lehigh wanted a nice seafood restaurant here and that is what we want to provide and I think we are doing that,” he said.

Brothers International Seafood and Grill is the only seafood restaurant in Lehigh. It’s all new inside with new carpeting, new tables and chairs with a nice atmosphere, a good place to dine and/or to take your friends fora fine dinner.

The men is not only seafood, although there are several seafood dishes. In addition, patrons can buy nice meals like steak and chicken and more.

Joachin moved to Lehigh a few years ago from Pembrooke, Fla.

He is 43, married and the father of a 14-year-old girl. He said his wife may work at times in the new restaurant when needed.

Larry Joachin

Opening a new restaurant in Lehigh or anywhere for that matter in the middle of a recession is a gamble, but it is one that Joachin says he is willing to take.

“We just ask that people give us a chance. Come in for lunch or dinner and see what you think of us. I believe they will like our food, he said.

Brothers International Seafood and Grill actually opened several weeks ago but recently they have become members of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, which conducted a ribbon cutting at the restaurant to mark the occasion of a new restaurant in town.

Mavis Becker is the friendly manager of the restaurant. Always with a smile on her face, the diner feels right at home once you enter the restaurant and are seated.

During these spring and summer days, the restaurant is open from 11 to 8 p.m. on week days. But the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Monday until September.

At new seafood restaurant at 1171 Homestead Rd., in the former Mr. and Mrs. BBQ restaurant. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Joachin got his culinary degree from the prestigious Johnson and Wales College in Miami and began working at the Sheridan in Hollywood, Fla.

He chose all the dishes and sections from soups and sandwiches to the main course on his menu. He says he has tried them out several time and has made sure they are next to perfect.

When asked what he might suggest for dinner, he suggested the Blackened Grouper Napoleon.

“It’s really one of our signature meals on the menu he said.

“We also carry sandwiches, soups, steaks, chicken and salads and some Carribean foods.

He is originally from the Carribean and came to the U.S. when he was 18 to attend college and work toward his dream. He said he worked two jobs while attending college.

“My dream has been to open up a restaurant for the past 25 years.

“I wanted something nice in Lehigh like there are in Fort Myers and the beach … a nice place with good food for Lehigh residents to come and dine,” he said.

“And like I said I know it’s bad economic bad times, but we’re going to work hard and take the gamble.”

The restaurant has its beer and liquor license and there is more than ample parking in front.

The restaurant can seat about 60 diners all together when full, which is what Joachin is hoping to see – full house.

“This recession can’t last forever. We will have a recovery and even during bad times, it is always nice for people to get out once in a while and enjoy themselves with a good meal,” he said.

All the food served at the new restaurant is prepared by Chef Joachin. It’s not bought prepared food like in some restaurants.

“I begin everything from scratch, season our own soups and prepare our own entrees,” he said.

Joachin is a very pleasant person to talk to and you know when he says he wants his restaurant to be like a big family in Lehigh, that he means it.

“We will treat our guests the same way as our own family, the same way we would want to be treated.

“We will not be happy until our customers are happy and I think they will like it here,” he said.

One other thing, Joachin believes in the future of Lehigh or else he would opened his restaurant in Fort Myers or elsewhere.

“I believe in doing my business in Lehigh, spending my money in Lehigh. We in Lehigh are a family and we need to support each other,” he said.

In the near future, Joachin says he plans to add a senior menu which will just carry smaller portions of the same good food that he prepares.

In the meantime, Chef Joachin extends an invitation to come and bring your friends and give his restaurant a chance.

“I guarantee that they’ll like our food,” he said.