Yet another Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar is in the works.
Simon Hong, who owns two restaurants in Indianapolis, plans to open Sapporo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi on Lima Road. A new building will be constructed near the Neon Armadillo. He expects the 9,000-square-foot restaurant to open after the first of the year — possibly in January.
Sapporo will serve sushi and will have seating areas around grills so patrons can watch their meals being prepared and interact with the chef.
Hong said he's been studying the Fort Wayne area for the past five years and believes, as the second-largest city in Indiana, Fort Wayne has room for another Japanese steakhouse/sushi bar, even though they seem to be proliferating in this area.
The restaurant, which will serve beer, wine and liquor, will be a casual, family-style eatery, Hong said.
Cook-off, bake-off
Queen of Angels Athletic Association seeks amateur grillers and bakers for its Fort Wayne Backyard BBQ Cook-off and Bake-off 5-9 p.m. Aug. 4 at the church, 1500 W. State Blvd.
There is no entry fee, and meat will be provided. Barbecue categories: chicken quarters, pork spare ribs, pork butt. Bake-off categories: fruit pie, non-fruit pie, cake/cupcake; cheesecake; breads/rolls/muffins. New this year: a side dish contest. Prizes are awarded for winners in all contests: $50 for first prize; $25 for second prize; and $10 for third prize.
Youths (under 17) have their own competition in all categories, with $20 for first prize; $10 for second prize; and $5 for third prize.
All food will be for sale to the public in meal and sample sizes 5-9 p.m.
For more information, go to www.fwbbq.com; call Denny Jamison at 422-5996; or email dgjamison@frontier.com
Firkin party
Dicky's Wild Hare, 2910 Maplecrest Road, is hosting a firkin party Wednesday. A firkin is like a small keg, and Dicky's will tap the Bell's Two Hearted Ale firkin at 6 p.m. Pints will be $5. A cornhole tournament starts at 7 p.m.
Spotted
•A sign says El Salvador restaurant is “coming soon” at the strip shopping center at the corner of Clay Street and Jefferson Boulevard.
•A worker inside the old Loaf and Ladle on Calhoun Street says the owners are tearing out the wall between the former eatery and the storefront next door to the south, opening it up to be a bigger space in the hopes that someone will open a new eatery there.
Closed
•The Richards restaurant at Getz Road and West Jefferson Boulevard has closed.
