A new Japanese restaurant called Fuji is coming to the vacant space at 2422 13th St. in Sacramento. The approximately 6,600-square-foot space has had several tenants since 2010, including Iron Steaks, Iron Grill and Bar, and Elephant Trolley Beignets.
Coincidentally, the space was also occupied by a restaurant named Fuji before 2010. However, the incoming Fuji restaurant is not associated with the old establishment, although incoming managing partners of Fuji, Russell Okubo and Kevin Oto, stated that they wanted to create a concept that celebrated the history of the building and the former Japanese restaurant.
Okubo is an experienced restauranteur who also owns Aji Japanese Bistro in El Dorado Hills. Okubo used to dine at the old Fuji when Japanese food was still scarce in Sacramento, and the new restaurant will pay tribute to that memory. His nephew, co-managing partner Oto, is an entrepreneur and the owner of local mortgage company Green Haven Capital Inc.
The new Fuji restaurant will open for dinner Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and on the weekends from 5 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m. Fuji will also serve brunch on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering traditional Asian breakfast featuring grilled fish, miso soup, spam, etc.
The space was mostly turnkey with minor interior modifications, which are nearly complete. The ground floor consists of a dining room, bar, and outdoor patio whereas the upstairs is reserved as a banquet room for special events and private dining, with a capacity of approximately 100 people.
Fuji hopes to open on Dec. 18th. The partners weren’t available for comments by the time of this coverage.
