Inspired by the Hawaiian lifestyle, Mark Setterington had a vision to transport guests to a white-sand beach in the tropical islands through incredibly fresh flavors.
Mark’s dedication and passion for creating the perfect poké recipes led him to transform his kitchen into a hub for experimentation and culinary creativity, making his kitchen the epicenter of the poké revolution. Friends and family gathered to taste test sauces, and the house was never short of visitors when there was poké involved. Over the course of several taste tests, and even some failures, the creation of the homemade sauces was complete, and they were all fresh, delicious and gluten-free. From the homemade sauces to over 25 toppings and sustainably sourced protein, every guest would be tasting the flavors of the islands.
In 2017, Mark’s vision became a reality and the Island Fin Poké Co. Ohana was officially born. In the Hawaiian language, Ohana translates to “family” and Island Fin Poké Co. is all about creating an Ohana-like environment for its community. Every location follows The Island Fin Way, where guests are welcomed with a friendly greeting and treated like family during every interaction with the brand.
Fast forward to today, Island Fin Poké Co. is now successfully expanding into new markets around the country and is considered America’s best poké destination because of their deliciously healthy flavors, incredible service and their Ohana mindset.
Our Greenwich Story
After years in corporate leadership, Old Greenwich resident Jamie Darnow made a major career change and brought Island Fin Poké to Cos Cob. His goal was to combine his interests in food, fitness, hospitality and community while creating a restaurant that offered fresh, flavorful meals in a relaxed setting.
Darnow had lived in Old Greenwich for many years before opening the restaurant and chose the Cos Cob location with the broader Greenwich community in mind. The concept appealed to him because guests could build meals around fresh ingredients, proteins, vegetables, toppings and house-made sauces while still enjoying the convenience of a quick-service restaurant.
Just as important was the idea of Ohana — family. The Greenwich location was created to be more than a place to grab a meal. It was intended to feel welcoming, personal and connected to the community it serves.
Island Fin Poké Greenwich continues that mission today: fresh food, island-inspired hospitality and a commitment to making every guest feel like part of the Ohana.
As featured in Greenwich Time
