Thanks to this week's rainstorm wreaking havoc on their roof, Shigekazu and Toki Mori are racing against the clock to get their new Japanese restaurant, Shige Sushi and Izakaya ready to open in Maxwell Village next week.
The couple, who are in their 40s, moved from Japan to the U.S. in 2002 and have owned and operated a Japanese restaurant on Old Redwood Highway in Cotati, also under the Shige Sushi name, for the past six years.
The couple will both be onsite at the restaurant. Toki is overseeing the renovations and the menu. Shige is the chef.
The Moris bought the business that was formerly Shiso Sushi from its owner and chef Ed Metcalfe. Shiso had been in Sonoma, first on Broadway and later in Maxwell, for 12 years. Metcalfe has announced on his Facebook page that he will continue to operate in Sonoma with a catering company Sushimotos.
The Moris are currently finishing up a light remodel of the interior, most notably a dramatic Japanese screen along the left wall and bright red lanterns over the bar. Later in the year when the weather improves, they hope to add outdoor seating in the back patio.
Why open a restaurant in Sonoma?
Shige said that he chose Sonoma because so many people from the town have become regulars at his Cotati location.
'And Sonoma needed a traditional, authentic Japanese restaurant,' said Shige. The atmosphere they are aiming for is that of an izakaya, or a type of informal Japanese pub.
Throughout the winter, the restaurant will be open for dinner only. Shige hopes to add lunch later in the spring. It will be open six days a week, closed on Mondays.
The Moris have been working around the clock getting the restaurant ready. When it was pointed out that the Shiso sign was still up less than a week prior to opening, Shige yelped and said, 'I forgot to order the new sign!'
Shige Sushi and Izakaya, 19161 Sonoma Highway. Reservations are being taken by phone at 707-933-9331.
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