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Pink Sumo Restaurant Brings New Wave Of Sushi To Westport

WESTPORT, Conn. – Attention sushi lovers: If you’re eager to go beyond the traditional California or spicy tuna rolls, Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Café — the newest addition to the downtown Westport dining scene — may have what you’re looking for.

Eric Cheng, head chef at Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Cafe in Westport, prepares a dish Tuesday afternoon.

Eric Cheng, head chef at Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Cafe in Westport, prepares a dish Tuesday afternoon.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari
Blackened tuna tataki – seared blackened tuna in a spicy aioli sauce – is one of the cold appetizers offered at Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Cafe in Westport.

Blackened tuna tataki – seared blackened tuna in a spicy aioli sauce – is one of the cold appetizers offered at Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Cafe in Westport.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari
David Gorrie, bar manager at the Pink Sumo, pours a customer a glass of water at the bar Tuesday afternoon.

David Gorrie, bar manager at the Pink Sumo, pours a customer a glass of water at the bar Tuesday afternoon.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari
Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Cafe opened Monday on Church Lane in Westport.

Pink Sumo Sushi & Sake Cafe opened Monday on Church Lane in Westport.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari

“Our mission is to provide people with something different; something refreshing,” bar manager David Gorrie said. “We’re sticking a new flag on the map when it comes to sushi.”

One of Pink Sumo’s signature creations is the Bollywood roll, which is made with spicy crunchy tuna and avocado, topped with more tuna and served with curry sauce. Another special is the Italia roll with salmon, jalapeno, shiso, melted mozzarella cheese and leeks. There’s also the Pink Sumo lobster, which is asparagus and avocado topped with mango, avocado and lobster, and served with mango sauce.

The restaurant’s menu boasts a variety of original rolls handcrafted by head sushi chef Eric Cheng, who previously worked at Nobu in New York City, a Japanese restaurant co-founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro.

“People don’t have to go to New York for high quality sushi. We’ve brought it to Westport,” owner Skye Kwok said. “We use only the best and freshest seafood.”

Kwok, a Fairfield County resident, is also the owner of Sweet Basil, a pan Asian restaurant in Fairfield.

Beyond sushi, the Pink Sumo serves up entrees, soups, salads and nearly 30 “sumotizers,” or appetizers. There are both hot and cold appetizers such as wild crab wonton and Cajun salmon tataki.

Westport developer David Waldman, president of David Adam Realty, said everything he had for lunch Tuesday at Pink Sumo was “fantastic.”

The bar at Pink Sumo is stocked with 25 varieties of sake, including hot, flavored and sparkling, Gorrie said. In the coming weeks, the restaurant will have 30 to 40 different offerings, he said.

Pink Sumo opened Monday at 8 Church Lane in the space formerly occupied by Café Manolo. It is open daily for lunch and dinner. If you plan on stopping by for a bite, be prepared to try something different.

“My recommendation to people is be bold. Don’t go with the classic sushi rolls,” Gorrie said. “Don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never tried before. We’re offering it for a reason, and you won’t be disappointed.”

To make reservations or for hours, call 203-557-8080.

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