Carmen Paponetti says he never wanted to close Domo Yakitori and Sushi at Van Aken, which opened in 2020 and exited in January 2023.
The owner of Timber Kitchen & Social in Willowick spent years perfecting his sushi-making skills while working for Zack Bruell at Parallax, and he wasn't done with what he had started.
While circumstances beyond his control forced his hand on the East Side, he's taken the time since to look for a new home for the Japanese concept, which he has now secured on the West Side.
Come later this summer or early fall, Domo Ohio City Sushi will open at 3924 Lorain Ave., next to Tripi Italian Specialties.
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With about 800 square feet, the spot will have space for around 20 seats but will be mostly built for takeout.
Domo will offer made-to-order sushi, okonomiyaki and takoyaki. The okonomiyaki — savory cabbage pancakes — lets diners start with a base model with bacon, egg, noodles, spicy mayo, okonomiyaki sauce and bonito flakes, with additions like octopus, shrimp, smoked salmon and shitakes.
Domo will not be serving yakitori like it did in previous iterations.
Paponetti says it should be somewhere around six to eight weeks before they open.
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