It's a sad day for Elmwood... and Buffalo
So why is the guy (Rory) in line smiling? Because he knows that he is in store for the 'last meal' at Kuni's Sushi Bar. He was one of the lucky few that made it in time tonight. At 5:00 there was a line that stretched a few doors down! Yes, it's true. Tonight is the restaurant's last night in business. How can that be? This was the neighborhood joint that raised the bar for sushi? This was the place that was always on par with some of the best sushi spots in NYC? Do all good things come to an end? We have been getting e-mails all week asking us if we knew the scoop, but Kuni asked if we could hold off 'till tonight for obvious reasons.
Well, after ten years Kuni Sato decided that he needed a break from this very demanding restaurant. There were a host of rumors floating around... everything from 'he's going back home' to 'his carpal tunnel is acting up'. I am sure his hands will appreciate the break, but that is not the reason that he's closing. And he is not going back to Japan.
After waiting for four and a half hours Thursday night to get a seat at the bar, we decided to get the skinny as to what was really going on. "I love Buffalo", he told us. "I've been running Kuni's for ten years and I just need a break." Kuni doesn't want to train anyone else to take over because he is a chef that is dedicated to the business. Nobody would care for it like he does.
I remember first meeting Kuni about thirteen years ago when he was working at Bob Rich's sushi bar called Sake's. Kuni took care of us as if it was his restaurant, so I know what he means about wanting to do things for himself. When he opened his own place (ten years ago), he brought a real level of comfort to his new digs. The restaurant was quaint, the sushi was very traditional, and the service rocked. The staff at Kuni's could not be beat. The dishwashers were cool, the waitresses were amazing, and the atmosphere was top notch.
Some of the items that I will personally miss from the menu: The Taco Su, Wasabi Shumai, Tender Salad, Cajun Tuna, Squid Rings, Uni with Quail Egg, Unagi, Portobello Mushroom Piece, Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Shiso Handroll, Wasabi Flying Fish Eggs, Rainbow Roll (he hated to make those), Hijiki, and of course the hot sake. The warm towel at the beginning of the meal will be severely missed, as will the company that you kept upon arriving to the restaurant. I have met hundreds of people through the restaurant. There is something about sushi that bonds people together. I don’t think I ever sat at the bar and didn’t meet someone down the way. Then there were the regulars that you always knew would be there. Kuni is somewhat of a celebrity due to his success, but you would never know it by talking to him. He is one of the most down to earth people you would ever want to meet, and his sushi will be sorely missed.
After chatting with Kuni Thursday night, I could tell that he was having second thoughts as to his decision. "I never knew how many people count on me to be here", he said. "People have been walking in with handmade Kuni t-shirts, and gifts. Customers have shed tears, and I have been hugged repeatedly. I don't know." So I asked him what was next on his list of things to do. "Take is easy for a while... you never know, I will miss this very much. Under the right circumstances I might start making sushi again. I will miss making sushi... but I will miss the friends that I have made even more. I might not have a choice, I can't let people down, I really never knew how much this all meant to people.'
So it's 6:25pm, and I have a three-hour wait on his last night of business. I can only imagine what the current wait time is at this moment. I know that he and his crew are wiped out from what must have been an absolutely exhausting week. I believe that Kuni will be back in action... in Buffalo... at some point. Thanks for an incredible ten years Kuni! We'll miss your restaurant.
Thanks to Molly Quill for giving me the heads up about the line, and I hope that Doug Lambert got his final fix.
Please come back soon Kuni!
I'm shocked. Obviously, Kuni should do what he feels he needs to do, I have no problem with that, other than being deprived of his amazing food. My main regret is not having ducked in there since moving back. Damn!
So... who are the runners-up around here? Where will BR readers be heading for sushi now? Please advise!
why is he really closing guys? No restaurateur just closes a place that is packed every night its open. Any one have the skinny or are we just going to hear hes tired. gonna miss the rolls tho.
so bummed...we showed up yesterday at 5:45 and kuni's wasn't taking any more names or doing take-out as they were already completely slammed for the night...
we moved here a couple years ago from Boston and Kuni's was one of the things that made us feel really good about being here, right off the bat...we were so excited to have such good sushi so close to our house...we're sad we missed out on the last night but wish you well and if you open up again at some point we'll be there :)
I'm devastated. Simply devastated. Kuni, please come back. I miss you already!
We will miss you Kuni!!! Thanks for 10 amazing years!!!
I couldn't feel worse unless Cybele's somehow closed a second time. I've said it many times: Kuni's was truly the best sushi I've had, and that includes Boston, Seattle, SF and L.A.) A tragedy for me.
This is a crying shame--and I will miss Kuni's terribly...but as a regular customer for the last 10 years I am truly disappointed that he closed the doors Saturday. I saw him on the street earlier in the week--and asked him if it was true...he said yes...and that he'd be closing 'in a few weeks'...I expressed my sadness and disappointment...with that, I called several friends who were also longtime dedicated customers--and we were planning a visit this coming week...so as a result--many of us miss out on one last visit...sorry, but I'm feeling a little dissed right now...KUNI, WHAT GIVES?
I was there for opening night and many nights after that. Paul Z. and I often joked that we spent so much time (and money) there, that we paid for a good chunk of Kuni's Miata.
Erin and I hit nearly every sushi joint in greater Boston during our three years there. We've been all over both coasts and haven't had anything that compared. When we moved back, I proudly sent out a map with the location of our new house on Auburn, and an "X" to show people how close we were to Kuni's.
At least I got one last good "feed" in last week. Nori didn't even tell me. I had no clue.
I can't tell you how depressing this is.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heard hes going to toronto to open. anyone else?
This no time for Kuni to be thinking of himself. I need a hot fish salad, a yellow tail roll, and a shrimp tempura roll.
Now what?????
Any suggestions for my sushi habit?
I'M COMPLETELY DEVESTATED ! MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES HAVE BEEN MADE THERE AND NOW MY GIRLFRIEND AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE CAN MAKE MORE. THERE WILL BE NO OTHER LIKE KUNI'S. ANDREA I PROMISE YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE I WILL NOT REST TILL I FIND A NEW SUSHI PLACE!
ugh. i just got back in town for the holiday, and it's one thing on the mind... hot saki and unagi.
my sister dropped the bomb. it felt like somebody had died. thanks, kuni. you mean a lot to us around here. hope to see you back in action some day.
i've eaten a lot of sushi, and i always took pride in the fact that the best sushi place i know is right in our fair town, buffalo... you're forever in my heart and stomach, kuni sato!