The Scoop: Hiro to open next to 609 Lounge next month

As first noticed by Riverfront Times’ food blog Gut Check, the space at 609 Eastgate Ave., in The Loop will soon be home to Hiro, a sushi and modern Japanese izakaya restaurant. The space, which sits next to 609 Lounge, was recently vacated when Blue Ocean Sushi moved to the former Seki space on Delmar Boulevard. Bernie Lee, who owns 609 Lounge and Hiro, hopes to open the doors to his new Japanese eatery in mid-July. As we revealed when Izakaya Ren opened in Valley Park earlier this year, the Japanese word “izakaya” translates to “sake house with small plates.” Lee confirmed that small plates and sake will both be part of the menu at Hiro, which he likens to a Japanese tapas bar. According to Lee, the sushi at Hiro will be rolled by the former chef of another local sushi restaurant, while the izakaya-style small plates will be prepared by Andy Wong, the former chef at 609 Asian Fusion (the restaurant which occupied the space before Blue Ocean did). In addition to the small plates, the menu will feature a slew of Japanese selections, including classic sashimi and sushi rolls as well as cooked rolls – items more for the meat-lover like teriyaki chicken rolls and even a Crunchy Pig roll, complete with bacon and roasted pork belly. In addition to sake, wine will be available by the bottle and the glass, and a list of cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails will also be offered. Lee is keeping the price point low, with small plates ranging between $3 and $10 and no bottle of wine topping $35. Opening date is tentatively scheduled for mid-July, after a facelift and some changes to the décor of the space are completed. Once the restaurant is up and running, Lee plans to transform the restaurant into a noodle house on Friday and Saturday nights after 11:30 p.m., giving Loop patrons a new late-night dining option. Other programs such as happy hours and dollar sushi night will also be rolled out. When the doors do open, Hiro will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday and dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.