Written by Marty Olmstead Photography by Chris Hornaday and Caroline Mcelhinny

Tucked out of sight in a private cul-de-sac off Highway 80 East, ele Fine Fusion occupies a pale, low-rise building flanked with colorful, well-tended plantings, a smattering of Asian statuary and a gently gurgling fountain that imbue the entrance with the look of a Zen sanctuary.
Inside glazed-glass double doors, a cool, sleek lobby area underscores the ambience of a spa retreat with more water sliding down the rear wall.
The tile floors are gleaming, the lighting is subdued, and the furnishings—only a couple of divans upholstered in earth tones of dark brown and moss green—are minimalist.
To one side of the double doors, an alcove features four tall cocktail stools set in front of a glossy counter. Opposite is the sushi bar, where on a recent night a sushi chef was preparing one of the house specialties: an entire lobster tail stuffed with crab meat, asparagus, avocado and cream cheese, sliced on the diagonal and served on a white plate garnished with fresh orchids. (According to the chef, the restaurant goes through two boxes of the exotic flowers a week.) When diners order this dish, they are also treated to a side of lobster tartare.
The combination of generous portions of ultrafresh seafood painstakingly prepared and artfully presented is the hallmark of dining at ele, the Wilmington Island mecca for innovative Asian fusion cuisine.
Ele (pronounced el-lee) is the fourth Savannah restaurant opened in the last 10 years by the husband-and-wife team of Sean Thongsiri and Ele Tran, natives of Laos and Vietnam, respectively.

The Launch

Surprisingly, the pair says they never had any long-term plans to create a culinary empire. It was a natural outgrowth of their interests. “I always knew I would have a business, but I didn’t know what,” says Tran, 32. It was her husband’s talent that pointed them toward the restaurant business. “Sean has always been so good at cooking,” she says. “His mother and grandmother cooked, so he learned growing up.” Thongsiri, now 39, spent his childhood in a Thai-Laotian household.
The couple met through friends in New York, where they lived until moving down to Florida. In Tampa, they worked constantly to save money for a modest nest egg. While Tran dealt blackjack on a boat to make money, Thongsiri spent 13-hour days washing dishes. “I finally moved up to waiter,” says the chef with obvious false pride. After a couple of years in Tampa, they were ripe for relocation.
“In 2001, after my mother retired to Savannah, we moved here to be closer to her,” says Tran. That same year, she and her husband used that hard-earned nest egg to buy Little Saigon from its longtime owner.
From that first venture, also on Wilmington Island, the couple went on to establish The King and I and then Tangerine Fusion & Sushi Bar, both located in strip malls on Savannah’s southside.
The owner of the property at Hodgson Memorial and Eisenhower drives was a regular at Little Saigon and invited its owners to move in. Thus was born The King and I, where popular Asian dishes such as Pad Thai and Crispy Duck are served in a large, softly lit room decorated with silk tapestries and brocaded walls.
A couple of years later, in 2005, they branched out with Tangerine Fusion & Sushi Bar way south on Abercorn Street in the Abercorn Shops. Served in a romantic and stylish setting, Tangerine’s food is mostly Thai, but with what the website describes as a “twist of Pan-Asian flair.” That translates into dinner entrees such as Sea Scallops with Basil Sauce, Thai Salmon and Pan Roasted Filet Mignon Select. The lunch menu is lighter, featuring Mango & Crab Salad Roll, Thai Chicken Satay and Asian Seafood Curry.

Images by Chris Hornaday and Caroline Mcelhinny
Read more on our August/September Issue now!

Located in historic downtown Savannah, Georgia, Brasserie 529 offers the best in French-inspired brasserie cuisine. Our guests can enjoy classic brasserie food, cocktails and a hand-picked wine list in a modern, casual setting indoors or on our patio.

Get away and unwind at The Mansion on Forsyth Park’s Casimir’s Lounge with $5 Drinks and Live Music.

Thai Tuna and Spinach Salad
North Beach Bar and Grill
Sandwiched between the beach and the Tybee Lighthouse, lies the North Beach Bar and Grill, a weatherworn beach shack that has been serving up laid-back libations and fantastic fare for over 15 years. Whether you decide to down a quick bite before you head to the beach, or stop in after a long day in the sun, the Thai Tuna and Spinach Salad is sure to be a palate pleaser. Layered upon a mound of fresh, raw spinach leaves are four succulent slices of rare sesame-encrusted seared tuna, topped with slivers of red onions and whole cashews. It’s accompanied by the chef’s homemade Thai salad dressing. “It’s not a complex salad, but it’s an example of what can happen when you get all the right ingredients working in tandem together,” says co-owner George Spriggs. 33 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, 912.786.4442

Last week, we talked about some of our favorite new businesses around Savannah, and this week serves as no exception. There are lots of new shops, boutiques and more popping up in an area which has not seen this kind of boost in a while, we will refer to it as past Park.

Places to Remember your Diet

K Bella

Why? For a healthy meal to go. Choose from their rotating menu based on seasonal specialties  and local seafood, produce and meats. They also have a wide variety of options for vegetarians and event catering. 119 Charlotte Road, 912-897-4026, kbellagourmetcarryout.com

After working with a cast of characters at Walt Disney World’s Resort and partnering with the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu, chef Darin Sehnert has now made himself a home at the Mansion on Forsyth Park’s 700 Kitchen Cooking School. While epicureans of all skill levels can take an in-depth class on culinary creation, he gave South a few tips on how to put the soul in soul food.

A special night of fun and networking for Savannah Menu VIP members. Must be a VIP to attend.

Cost: $29.95 for membership (event is free for members)

More info: http://www.savannahmenu.com/

Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting their 9th annual Taste of Downtown Business Connection. Come network with Chamber members and member guests and enjoy delicious food from area restaurants and caterers.  There will be free parking at the Bryan Street Parking Garage.

Cost: $10 for Chamber members and $25 for guests

More Info: visit www.savannahchamber.com/events.php?event=158