Photo by Frank Couch.
Shiki
Sushi chef Rize Pujangga, owner and sushi chef Made Subrata and manager Ken Vidovic stand in front of the new restaurant in Hallman Hill.
Where there were once tacos, you can now find sushi.
Shiki, a Thai and sushi restaurant, is scheduled to open in early November in the former Pinches Tacos location in Hallman Hill off Oxmoor Road. The interior now features an Asian influence with orange and green walls, hardwood floors, dimmed lighting and bamboo.
In place of the ordering counter at the previous fast-casual concept, you will now find a sushi bar where you can watch rolls being created.
Most of the dining will be sit-down, with about eight seats at the sushi bar and even more outside on the patio that overlooks Hallman Hill. Heaters will extend patio season as well.
Sushi chef Rize Pujangga plans to feature fresh fish from the Gulf coast, Hawaii, the Pacific coast and Canada.
“We want to have the best sushi in Birmingham with rolls that will be distinct from other local restaurants,” he said.
Rolls will range from $8-15 and can either be ordered off the menu or prepared according to a customer’s preferences.
The menu will include rolls such as a yellow tail belly with jalapeño and ponzu sauce as well as a seared tuna with Thai ponzu.
Customers will also find specialty cocktails and other drinks available at the bar.
Owner Made Subrata lives in Homewood and had been looking for a local space to open a restaurant. He hopes to get involved with supporting local schools after opening.
He also owns Nori Thai and Sushi Restaurant on Cahaba River Road near the Colonnade and will be bringing some of the popular dishes from its menu to Homewood along with adding new Thai specialties. These include masaman, curry, pad thai, spicy noodle bowl, stir fry and beef salad, which has been growing in popularity.
Featured starters will include the baked avocado, which is cut in half and stuffed with shrimp and crab.
Each day a lunch special will feature both a sushi roll and a Thai dish, and takeout orders will be accepted at lunch and dinner.
Like at Nori, the focus of Shiki will be on service. The owners like to stop by and talk to customers.
“I want them to come in and feel like they are family,” Pujangga said.
Shiki
- 300 Hallman Hill E., Suite 109
- 401-3841
- shikihomewood.com
- Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.
