Hana Matsuri Sushi brings the one-two punch with high-end, authentic eats at an affordable price. Coming this summer, the Japanese sushi bar will open a second spot, adding an elegant, accessible dining option for southwest Denver at 658 S. Colorado Blvd. (according to Colorado Springs permitting docs). The new Cherry Creek restaurant will double the restaurant’s footprint, which includes the current Hana Matsuri setting in Westminster. Already a successful establishment, the 4,000 square-foot, 100 seats spread was too tempting to pass up, co-owner Jessie Liu told What Now Denver.
“We really like the location,” Liu said. “Hana has good, quality food, so we want to spread this out to other eaters.”
Along with her husband Steve, the couple opened the first Hana Matsuri in 2010, a decade on from their first success with the still-open Land of Sushi in 2000 (per Westword). Each Liu eatery has earned a reputation for a sublime edible journey that fuses other styles with traditional Japanese techniques. Complementing sushi chef classics like sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and chirashi are offerings like beef carpaccio, Scottish salmon salad, and grilled shrimp with chorizo hash. These bites patrons can pair with sake, brew, cocktails, and more from the eatery’s full bar.
Hana Matsuri also serves up cultural fusion via its moniker. “Hana Matsuri” is a traditional Buddhist holiday celebrated on April 8 that honors the birth of Buddha Shâkyamuni — the sage of the Shakya clan and the founder of the eponymous world religion (per the upcoming Japan Expo in Paris). This Buddhist holiday aligns to the spring season, literally translating to “Flower’s Day.”
Diners can expect these blooms represented with a panoply of color to go with the stellar bites served up by Hana. Keep an eye out for this pearl to arrive tucked into a commercial plaza in the coming months.
