A new Japanese eatery is on a roll.
Sushi i (pronounced sushi eye) opened Monday, serving an all-you-can-eat fresh sushi concept in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh’s growing restaurant scene.
Nick Weryha of the South Side noticed the restaurant’s prominent orange fish-themed sushi sign and decided to check out Sushi i for lunch.
A lover of sushi, Weryha was one of the first diners on Monday at the new spot in the former Harris Grill at 245 Fourth Ave.
“I’m a sucker for new spots and it’s right near Market Square. I’m excited to try it out,” said Weryha, who ordered takeout.
The first floor features a small bar and seating for about 20 patrons.
The second floor is the main dining area, complete with a mix of booths, tables, a bar and a sushi bar.
The modern decor is sleek and minimalist. The main dining area and bar are located on the second floor.
Manager Mia Zhuang assisted servers during the first lunch crowd on Monday. Customers included a mix of couples, families and business people.
All-you-can-eat sushi prices are $18.99 for lunch and $29.99 for dinner and includes sushi, appetizers, soup and salad, hibachi, fried rice and other options.
Crews were busy cleaning and prepping the rooftop area for an expected opening in about a week.
“This is our niche — this rooftop area, and there’s not a lot of that in Pittsburgh,” Zhuang said.
Pittsburgh restaurateur Jason Hu aims to offer a relaxed and social dining concept with a modern vibe, describing a trip to Sushi i as “a dining adventure.”
The menu features sushi rolls, chef’s signature specials and deep-fried favorites.
Sake, beer and wine are available.
Weryha said after the pandemic shutdown and collapse of numerous restaurants Downtown, he’s happy to see another new business.
“It’s coming back and it’s exciting to see more places opening up and having more dining options,” Weryha said.
For Hu, choosing a location in Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle made sense.
“We chose Downtown Pittsburgh for Sushi i because of its vibrant energy and proximity to iconic spots like Market Square and PPG Plaza,” Hu said.
Hu is the latest of six business owners to take advantage of a Downtown Rent Abatement Program (DRAP), sponsored by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
“The PDP’s Downtown Rent Abatement was a game-changer, making it feasible for us to bring our vision to life in the heart of the city,” Hu said.
The program is designed to provide a subsidy of up to 50% of the monthly rent, capped at $2,000 per month, for 12 months.
A multi-year lease is required within Downtown Pittsburgh.
