Fish fries return to 3F

Popular 3F restaurant now operated by Destino’s Catering

Article and Photo by Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Great news for seafood lovers! Fish frys have returned to the 3F Club in Lewiston.

The Fin, Feather, and Fur Conservation Society Inc. on Swann Road has teamed with Dana Destino-Joyce of Destino’s Catering Co. to reopen the 3F kitchen to the general public.

“We are open for members and their guests on Fridays,” said John Wood, 3F bar manager.

Dana Destino-Joyce of the Town of Niagara will operate the kitchen. The new business continues her family’s tradition of dinner fare offered at a decent price.

“I have been in the restaurant business for 20 years; it has been in the family,” Destino-Joyce said as she spoke of her father’s and uncle’s background in the restaurant trade, which includes Destino’s/Gramma D’s Pizzeria on Creek Road, as well as her service as an executive chef at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club. “It’s been in our blood. My grandmother cooked every Sunday for us. That was a just a big, big thing, Sunday dinners.”

Destino-Joyce called the return to food service at 3F ideal.

“Actually, one of the old workers who used to work for my father, he called,” she explained. “And my father said, ‘Well, my daughter is looking,’ because I used to be the executive chef over at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club. I recently left there, and I was trying to get back in the kitchen. This just worked out perfect, perfect timing.”

Dana Destino-Joyce of Destino’s Catering Co. and her staff welcome guests to check out the fish and the new 3F restaurant, which is open to the public on Fridays.

••••••••

So, what of those menu offerings?

Destino-Joyce said she offers a little bit of everything: typical goodies from the fryer, such as mozzarella sticks, pizza logs, fries and fingers and wings; a variety of sandwiches and wraps; soups and salads; and dinner items. Here, diners will find such selections as chicken cutlets, pasta and meatballs, chicken piccata, a 12-ounce strip and, of course, that Friday fish fry.

All items are swiftly becoming popular for 3F members and guests.

“The cutlets; we’re selling a lot of cutlets, the chicken piccata is good, too. But the Philly is probably our best seller,” Destino-Joyce said. “Our fish and our beef on wecks are also flying out the door as well.”

And the fish? Destino-Joyce offers giant-size portions – a choice of broiled, Cajun, lemon pepper or the typical beer-battered. Each comes with a choice of coleslaw, potato salad or fries, plus lemon, roll and butter.

Opened since late September, “business has been great,” Destino-Joyce noted. “All the members have been wonderful.”

She added, “We didn’t really throw out the big promotions; I wanted the members to have a chance to try us. We haven’t really discussed events yet. We’re seeing how things go.”

Wood said, “We’re trying to make it all work.”

3F President Chris Cooper added, “I think it’s turning out well; very good. The portions are good to the pricing. Very good food; I love the food. I’ve tried the chicken; I’m not disappointed with anything I’ve eaten so far.”

Hours? “Right now, we are open Wednesday from (noon) to 8 p.m. Fridays, we serve from 2-9 p.m., with an early-bird special from 2-4 p.m., $1 off your fish fries,” Destino-Joyce said.

The 3F is located on Swann Road. For more, feel free to contact Destino-Joyce at 236-5808 or email [email protected].