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Mark Brand & Alex Usow To Open “Sea Monstr Sushi” In Gastown

Boneta/Diamond co-owner and his business partner Alex Usow (in the Powell St. clothing store Sharks + Hammers) are opening a new sushi restaurant at 55 Powell in Gastown. It’ll be called Sea Monstr Sushi, a name (that I love) conjured by his wife Nicole.

The new and very narrow 585 sqft space will hold 30 seats, including a 12 seat bar. No cocktails, I’m afraid, just 10-15 rolls sushi (the only booze on hand will be Sapporo beer on tap). The front will be all glass to expose the rolling station. Take-away traffic and lunch will presumably be huge, as the neighbourhood is starved for sushi. The duo’s shop – rebranded as the “Sharks + Hammers General Store” – will be installed in the Alexander St. side of the new (but ancient) building with a glass wall rising up from the restaurant’s rear banquette, thus separating the two businesses. The original Sharks + Hammers location will be turned into a gallery.

Opening day for Sea Monstr Sushi is slated for September, 2010. Take a look at some photos of the new space below…

  • Sea Monstr Sushi frontage from the street (eventually glass)
  • Sea Monstr Sushi looking toward the street (eventually glass frontage)
  • 12 seat sushi bar area (looking back to the new Sharks & Hammers)
  • Looking back at the shell that will become Sea Monstr Sushi from the new Sharks & Hammers constructron site
  • Hector the contractor working on wood stain samples in the new Sharks & Hammers
  • Mark Brand and Hector commisserating in the new Sharks & Hammers
  • Sharks & Hammers entrance on Alexander

There are 10 comments

  1. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY-way to go!
    GTOWN-is so so blowing up 🙂
    Vancouvers So-Ho district fo sure!

  2. i heart mark brand and everything he associates himself with – especially his wife!! consider me a regular…..

  3. I remember when they were discussing the original concept for this place… Super simple food, tiny drink menu, etc. It’s interesting to see how it’s evolved. I’ll have to visit when they open.

  4. Thank you for being awesome. Hopefully your ingredients will be as fresh as your establishments in Gastown.

  5. I love my japanese food and was hoping this would be my new place to go. Unfrotunately i dont think i will return. Tried it out Saturday night and was quickly seated (which was nice). I love the decor and ambiance.

    However, the portion sizes were wayyy too small for the price. Three bites of sunumono? Tuna maki was nice but small. Tobiko nigiri was really nice and fresh. My friend had a rice/beef dish and who thought you could take away the taste of rice from rice?! Not to mention it was overly soft. Oh but the tea was excellent and the wasabi extra spicy.

    Glad i tried it out but like i said it will not become my new sushi place.

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