Texas Sushi Restaurant Uchi Is Opening in Philadelphia | Eater Philly

"A growing Japanese restaurant chain from Texas is opening its first-ever Philadelphia location inside the Josephine residential building at 1620 Sansom Street, Suite 100 in Center City, slated to open in late 2025. Much like the group's other outposts, the new location will focus on new-school sushi and dishes that mix Japanese ingredients and techniques with American and European approaches, served in a somewhat upscale ('fancy-ish') setting. The menu includes its popular hama chile made with yellowtail sashimi, the wagyu hot rock (where guests cook their own beef slice on top of a hot rock), omakase options, happy hour deals, and desserts; beverages will include cocktails, beer, wines, and sakes. The space is being designed by Hai’s in-house Hai Design Studio and architecture firm Zebra, in collaboration with Philadelphia interior design studio Rohe Creative, and will feature a 24-seat bar and sushi bar, a 141-seat dining room, and a 14-seat outdoor dining area. The concept is run by Hai Hospitality, the Austin-based group led by founding chef and co-owner Tyson Cole, who opened the original in South Austin in 2003 and won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in a tie in 2011; the group has since expanded across Texas, Los Angeles (Beyoncé is a fan), Miami, Denver, and Scottsdale. According to chief development officer Todd Reppert, Hai wants to open more locations in the Northeast; a planned New York project announced in June 2023 fell through because the lease didn't pan out, and a company representative confirms they are looking for other locations in that city. Also under the Hai umbrella are the spin-offs Uchiko and Uchibā in Texas, tasting-menu restaurant Oheya in Houston, and the Asian smokehouse Loro, a collaboration with Austin pitmaster Aaron Franklin, which has multiple Texas locations." - Nadia Chaudhury