A “high end, elevated sushi concept” is coming soon to Colorado Springs, according to husband and wife owners Jason Wallenta and Riley O’Brien. Per a Colorado Springs liquor license application, the pair will partner with former Sushi Sasa chef Batzaya “Zaya” Altbish to bring the Springs Sushi Row, coming to 316 N. Tejon St. later this spring. The trio plan to contribute elegant, authentic Japanese cuisine in an upscale setting to a scene that is ripe for this type of restaurant, according to Wallenta.
“There’s nothing like it in the Springs,” Wallenta told What Now Denver about the upcoming 2,200 square-foot restaurant.
There are certainly few chefs like Zaya serving up meals in the metro Denver area. At Sushi Sasa, he collided classic sushi meats with innovative tastes to create distinct flavor combos. This includes bluefin tuna with a jalapeño pepper pureé, sustainably-raised Scottish Salmon with a vegan tofu vin (au jus) that’s wrapped via black konbu (kelp). Zaya’s Wagyu beef comes on a bed of foie gras and the salmon tartare with the sweet, spicy tang of Granny Smith apples and red chili sauce.
Sushi Row 0wners plan to stock a full bar to match the elevated eats. Patrons can access a sick Japanese whiskey selection, craft cocktails, and a “slick sake program.” Wallenta’s background bringing tequila and mezcal tastes to his three Dos Santos restaurants should help translate to an uplifting cocktail and sipping encounter at Sushi Row. Add in walnut slab tables throughout the restaurant and you’ve got a whole night out wrapped in an edible, experiential bow.
As the graphic design team works on the final touches to wrap Sushi Row’s website and social media presence, the team plans for construction and the finishing touches to wrap up in time to open their doors for lunch and dinner in early May.
