New flavor infusion

A new fast casual restaurant offering sushi and poke, made to order, is looking to open in the former Subway and Polpetta location at 126 S. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham. Kaku Sushi and Poké is owned and chef-operated by Kaku Usui and his wife, Maikue Vang. The couple also have another location at Long Lake and Telegraph roads. Usui, a native of Tokyo, worked for over 20 years at several area restaurants, including as head chef, before opening Kaku Sushi and Poké, Vang said. The concept of poké, she said, is like “a deconstructed sushi bowl. What is unique about ours is we offer customization of poké for our customers.” Diners choose a base of either white or brown rice or salad, then choose a protein of salmon, tuna, shrimp or scallops, and then do a mix-in. “That’s where we take certain toppings, like cucumber, onion and edamame, and a sauce, with seven to choose from, and we take it and mix it all together,” Vang explained. They also offer sushi, including sushi combos. “The whole idea is fresh, light and easy,” she said, for diners eating in or carrying out at lunch or dinner.

Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.