Sumi's New Space!

Here at SLP we're proud to be able to help local businesses achieve their growth and expansion goals. After an extensive search, and some very hard work by Michael, Sumi Douglass and the business formerly known as Kuishinbo Kitchen have a new home in the former Zucca/Mercury Diner space at the base of College Way. With an expanded floor plan and menu, an outdoor patio, and what is likely to be the most affordable Japanese food in town, "Sumi's Japanese Restaurant" is likely to become a popular eating destination with a solid following. Check out the article from today's paper.

Back in business!

The owner of Kuishinbo Kitchen — a Japanese restaurant that operated on downtown Bend’s Minnesota Avenue for almost 10 years before her landlords chose to remodel the space and change its use — is reopening the popular eatery on Bend’s west side.
Renamed Sumi’s Japanese Restaurant, it will operate in more than 2,500 square feet of space formerly occupied by Zucca Italian Kitchen and, before that, Mercury Diner. The restaurant, at 1444 N.W. College Way, Suite 1, is in the same complex as the popular Mexican restaurant La Rosa.
“This has been my goal,” said owner Sukmi Douglass. “To have more extended hours and at least have a bathroom and a full-service Japanese restaurant in the authentic style.”
The restaurant is expected to open Friday at 11 a.m.
At Kuishinbo Kitchen, Douglass had no bathroom and limited seating, and her back-door access was shut off when construction began on a four-story office-retail-condominium building behind her late last year. She knew it was a matter of time before she’d have to leave, but she worried that she would not find another spot downtown because of limited restaurant space and expensive leases.
On Wednesday, Douglass closed on the purchase of all assets of the former Zucca and Mercury Diner businesses, including all kitchen equipment and restaurant improvements. Details of the sale were not disclosed.
Neal Kramer co-owned Zucca and Mercury Diner. He sold the business in order to concentrate on raising his 20-month-old daughter, although he will continue his catering business, Chowhound Concepts Catering LLC.
“My priorities have changed,” Kramer said. “It will be nice to step away and do the catering … it’s more conducive to family life.”
Kramer owned the Mercury Diner space for 3 1/2 years, changing it to Zucca, the Italian word for squash or pumpkin, six months ago. Before that, he was a partner in Marz Bistro and Astro Lounge in downtown Bend and Mangia! Pasta! on the east side. Zucca officially closed Aug. 14.
For Sumi’s owner Douglass, the new space will be a drastic change — but she hopes to retain the casual, friendly atmosphere she cultivated for almost a decade in her funky downtown building.
“I want everybody to stop by in shorts and sandals,” Douglass laughed.
The new space is nearly double what she had in the historic D.H. Sphier building and will hold 90 seats. She had 13 seats downtown.
Douglass’ downtown location was a favorite among locals, who crowded the small space during lunch for quickly prepared and inexpensive Japanese food such as bento boxes and stir-fry dishes of yakisoba noodles or rice. Douglass expects to keep her lunch prices nearly the same — around $7 per entree.
To manage the increased capacity, Douglass hopes to hire five or six workers in addition to the three she employed downtown.
Ten days or so after opening, Douglass hopes to stretch her culinary muscles with a dinner menu that offers an assortment of dishes never found at her old lunch-only restaurant. She’ll offer around 20 different Japanese-style appetizers, including vegetables cooked multiple ways — barbecued on skewers or breaded with panko bread crumbs and deep-fried.
Tempura-fried foods — common in sushi restaurants — also will be available, she said. Douglass also will have customized sushi “big rolls,” as she calls them, but doesn’t plan a full sushi menu yet. The dinner menu also will have bento boxes available to-go, which will be cheaper than the sit-down dinner menu.
Douglass had been reluctant to open such a large restaurant, but believes locals have a taste for real Japanese food.
“I think Bend is ready for something like this,” she said. “(The west side) currently has no casual takeout options for a (Japanese) eatery.”

Anna Sowa can be reached at 383-0304 or at asowa@bendbulletin.com.