In April 2018, US chef José Andrés opened his second FISH by José Andrés restaurant at The Cove, a deluxe beachside resort located on Paradise Island in The Bahamas.

Designed by Barcelona-based Spanish firm Capella Garcia Architecture, FISH at The Cove creates the impression that guests are immersed in a vivid undersea world.

Layers of colour—ultramarine, teal, red, sand and pearl—capture the spirit of the ocean, making one think of the coral, flora and fauna that live deep beneath the waves. Around the dining room, large underwater images have a mesmerising quality, and suspended from the ceiling, a giant handmade wood veneer koi, part of the life-size collection by LZF, has a wonderfully ethereal beauty. Created by Inocuo The Sign and LZF Lab, Koi is a sight to behold.

At FISH at The Cove, the menu focuses on sustainable Bahamian fishing practices. The signature dish is fried local lionfish—an invasive species, the lionfish is known to severely damage coral reefs in The Bahamas. By catching this fish, FISH by José Andrés is able to contribute towards protecting the archipelago’s coral reefs and local marine life (and a portion of the cost of each dish goes to the Blue Project Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to saving marine species and their habitats throughout The Bahamas). It is this social and ecological vision that perhaps sets José Andrés apart from many of his contemporaries.

José Andrés is something of a culinary tour de force. With more than 30 restaurants to his name, ranging from the PEPE Food Truck to FISH and Minibar, a Michelin-starred eatery in Washington, DC, Andrés is a celebrated avant-garde chef, New York Times bestselling author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and philanthropist.

Originally from Asturias in NW Spain, Andrés is a zealous champion of immigration reform, advocating for the real opportunities it provides to the US. Moreover, the chef believes that immigrants are ‘part of the DNA of America’ (Yagoda, 2018). This year, Andrés was named as one of Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ and was awarded the ‘2018 Humanitarian of the Year’ by the James Beard Foundation (a US non-profit culinary arts organisation).

One of Andrés’s humanitarian efforts is the World Central Kitchen: established in 2012, this venture invests in smart solutions to address hunger and poverty, and uses the power of food to empower communities. A noble enterprise, it is heartening to find a successful entrepreneur and businessman who is willing and able to advocate for the human rights of all citizens of the world.

A noble enterprise, it is heartening to find a successful entrepreneur and businessman who is willing and able to advocate for the human rights of all citizens of the world.

As well as the culinary delights found across José Andrés’s many restaurants, design is also ubiquitous. In an interview with Hospitality Design, Andrés explains that more than just opening restaurants, he tells stories and ‘design is an integral part of each story.’ He further elucidates: ‘For many of my restaurants, I have worked with the Spanish architect and designer Juli Capella [of Capella Garcia Architecture] to help me tell those stories and create a distinct atmosphere in each restaurant’ (Shoemaker Rauen, 2018).

In FISH by José Andrés at The Cove, the story is one of an enchanting sub-aquatic realm. Guests can choose from a range of dining options, including intimate banquettes with rattan partitions and private dining areas surrounded by fishnet curtains, while food is prepared directly in view of the diners.

Around the space, several striking photographic murals by Bahamas-based artist Elena Kalis, provide a magical, other-worldly quality. And in this wonderful mix, the large ornamental LZF Koi crowns the underwater setting.