A Korean Bar and Omakase Sushi Restaurant Are Heading to Southwest Detroit

Southwest Detroit is getting a Korean bar and omakase sushi restaurant. Detroit Optimist Society partner Dave Kwiatkowski tells Crain’s that plans are underway to transform a property at 4639 Michigan Ave. into two-story dual concept as-of-yet-unnamed project in 2020.

The Korean pub — known as a sul jip — is expected to seat 50 with drinks paired with Korean bowls and raw seafood. The chef’s choice sushi bar, meanwhile, will be reservation-only with just 16 seats.

This is just the latest in a buckling portfolio of new projects for the empire building food and beverage group. Detroit Optimist Society is known for spots like the Sugar House, Bad Luck Bar, Honest John’s, Wright & Co., and the Peterboro. It’s currently in the process of developing a new Eastern Market restaurant called Gratiot Avenue Provisions and Corktown pizzeria Grandma Bob’s (formerly White Star Pizza). Both restaurants are expected to open this year.

The Michigan Avenue property marks Detroit Optimist’s latest venture into Southwest Detroit. In 2017, the group quickly transformed the former VL Bar on West Vernor into a dive tiki lounge called Mutiny. Kwiatkowski is betting that the developments by Ford in Corktown will naturally flow down the Michigan Avenue corridor. He hopes to eventually build a mixed-use development nextdoor to the new restaurant and bar.

• Sugar House Owner Envisions Korean Bar, High-End Sushi Counter in Southwest Detroit [ED]
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