Fueled by a passion for fresh ingredients and a keen eye for artistic presentation, Lisa and Geno Miletti, the dynamic duo behind Forks & Stix, are kicking things up a notch in Big Pine Key. For the last two years, their charming Hawaiian-inspired haven has already whipped up a storm of rave reviews from both locals and tourists.
“Everything we serve is extremely fresh,” said owner and sushi chef Geno. “My wife prides herself in serving everything beautifully. If it doesn’t look good going out, we don’t serve it. All of our fish get overnighted from Honolulu daily and we are proud of that. We have a chef special called the Piner Roll that’s really fun for me to make. It’s kind of a surprise, really. It’s just what I feel like creating at the moment. It’s our best seller, actually.”
With roots in Spain and Italy, Lisa’s love for food stemmed from a family tradition of creating memories around shared meals. This passion led her to explore local farmers markets, where she began experimenting with fresh ingredients.
“I started out (selling in) the markets,” she said. “I actually started with egg rolls, and then of course it did not match well with our weather down here as spontaneous rains and grease just didn’t mesh. It was hot as hell under the tent, so it went from that into me figuring out something else that just wasn’t being done at markets. I had all the vegetables at my disposal there at the markets, and then I had fish as well. So I morphed these concepts into doing the poke bowls, tuna towers and sushi.”
Lisa’s talents quickly blossomed at the Boondocks Saturday morning farmers market, where her innovative concept sparked intrigue among the locals. A loyal following sprouted rapidly, with regulars religiously returning each weekend to snag one of her delectable creations.
“Food has always been a passion of mine since I’ve been little,” she said. “The first market that I ever did, I actually was using the sheets off my bed, a borrowed table and a borrowed tent, but everything just grew so quickly. I just kept putting back into it, and it grew. I didn’t actually plan on getting a location. It just kind of presented itself to me, so here we are.”
Fueled by market success, Lisa, Geno and their son Gage took the plunge and opened a brick-and-mortar establishment in Big Pine Key. The once-vacant building was transformed by their family’s magic touch. It now pulsates with a vibrant island vibe, offering patrons a warm, welcoming second home.
They even ditch the usual restaurant norms, letting diners bring their own beverages and providing complimentary coolers and ice. It’s clear Lisa and Geno cherish their local community, as evidenced by their loyalty program – just share your phone number and you’re in. The restaurant caters to all preferences, offering online and phone ordering for those on the go. While their sushi boasts a reputation as one of the area’s finest, Lisa emphasizes that Forks & Stix offers so much more – a diverse culinary adventure waiting to be explored.
“Our menu is always changing,” she said. “We are always trying something new and different. It’s fun to experiment. We will always have our staples, but we love to keep adding to our menu and experiment with flavors.”
Their menu is a kaleidoscope of culinary delights to tantalize even the most discerning palate. Sure, sushi reigns supreme, with rolls and poke bowls tempting every seafood lover. But the adventure doesn’t stop there, with appetizer options like crispy potstickers and melty cheesy mac bites.
Craving something familiar? Forks & Stix has you covered with classic burritos, tacos, hearty sandwiches and wraps. Salads and steaming hot soups round out the savory options. And to top it all off, Lisa whips up some of the most incredible desserts in the Keys – the perfect ending to a truly delicious journey.
Lisa and Geno are not just culinary rock stars – they are also champions of the environment. Their commitment to sustainability shines through in their use of compostable or recyclable to-go containers. Having lived through the devastation of Hurricane Irma firsthand, they deeply understand the preciousness of the Keys’ ecosystem. In fact, in the wake of the storm, Lisa and Geno stepped up and tirelessly collected contact information and gathered food, then poured their hearts into preparing and distributing meals to those in need. When asked about the event, Lisa was extremely humble.
“I figured the best way I could help was to just feed as many people as possible, in the best way that I could,” she said. “When we traveled down to Big Pine, it was just game over. I was just like, holy hell, it was probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life. So that’s where my heart landed me to just keep helping and feeding them.”
Forks & Stix has a happy hour from 2 to 4 p.m., and will soon begin to serve breakfast and expand hours. Currently, the restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“The heart and soul of the business is my team and my customers,” said Lisa. “Geno, Gage, Nick, Drew, Chandler and Evan – they make things go round. I have some of the best customers a gal could ask for, and I mean that. I owe it all to them.”
Visit Forks & Stix at 30945 Ave. A, Suite A on Big Pine Key. For more information, email forks.stix@gmail.com, call 305-741-7643, follow “FORKS & STIX” on Facebook or scan the QR code to order online.
Photos by JEN ALEXANDER/Keys Weekly
