O-Ku Debuts Quick Service Sushi in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — The team behind O-Ku Charlotte has created a new sushi brand that will debut at the Bank of America Plaza this summer. Counter-serve newcomer Sukoshi will serve quality, on-the-go sushi in a hip environment, while also providing patrons the ability to order remotely via their custom mobile app. In addition to new plated and handheld dishes, menu items will include O-Ku fan favorites like the salmon citrus roll and a version of the spicy rock shrimp salad called “Sukoshi shrimp.” The eatery also looks to tap into the fine dining crowd with their “30-minute omakase” experience at the four-seat sushi bar. Watch for more locations in the future, as the group looks to expand beyond the Queen City in the hopes of becoming the next fine-casual craze.

RALEIGH — The Indigo Road Hospitality Group announced that Oak Steakhouse, which has become a fixture on Broad Street in Charleston, will add a fifth location in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, in early 2019. Oak will join another familiar face for Charlestonians, O-Ku Sushi, at forthcoming mixed-use development The Dillion in The Warehouse District. The Dillion is an 18-story project featuring preserved portions of a 100-year-old warehouse building that will factor in to its new life as a social hub with office space, apartments, and retail. The original Oak Steakhouse is the Charleston edition, and the restaurant sets itself apart with a chef-driven menu that highlights local purveyors and produce alongside Certified Angus Beef Prime classic cuts. Guests can expect the same concept in Raleigh, although the menu is still being finalized.

RALEIGH — A GoFundMe contributor named James Hawk posted this emphatic plea on the fundraising page for Raleigh’s Roast Grill, which has served hot dogs since 1940. Grill owner George Poniros published the call for $17,500 in donations on July 30, citing the expense of necessary repairs like plumbing and electrical for the building that his grandfather purchased in the 1920s. His goal, according to the GoFundMe page: “So that we can continue to provide the greatest tasting hot-weiner chili dogs on the planet! ...and to live forever, currently Raleigh’s oldest original family owned business.” Donor Christopher Huddleston added the post: “With the massive influx of people coming in, and seeing Raleigh turn into something so different so quickly, it’d be nice to have some ‘Old Raleigh’ still around.” As of last Thursday afternoon, more than $9,600 had been donated to do just that.