News Articles
Summit Daily News
January 20, 2009
Kemosabe Sushi & Sake Opens in Summit County
February 13, 2009
Colorado Summit Magazine - Dining Destinations
February 13, 2009
New Frisco sushi joint dishes up delightful creations
Kemosabe is a feast for both the eyes and the tastebuds
By ASHLEY DICKSON
Summit Daily News
Summit County, Colorado
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
FRISCO - When Silverheels at the Ore House in Frisco began serving sushi one night a week some five years ago, it quickly became one of the restaurants busiest nights, prompting the owners to wonder if they were on to something.
"Even when we added a second sushi night, the crowds were still crazy," Kemosabe co-owner Chris Miller said. "We started tossing around the idea of opening a sushi place and, before we knew it, things started coming together to make it a reality."
The brainchild of Miller and his business partner, Summit County restaurateur Bob Starekow, Kemosabe occupies the property adjacent to Silverheels, which used to be the Flying Crane Boutique.
"There was some apprehension, given the current economic climate, and everyone else was sizing down when we decided to expand," Miller said. "But we knew the demand was there, so we thought we could pull it off."
When it came time to find a master chef to expand the existing Silverheels sushi menu to a full restaurant, Starekow contacted an old friend who already had operated successful sushi restaurants in both Vail and Breckenridge.
"I had always wanted to come back to the mountains," head sushi chef Ted Minami said. "So the timing worked well for me."
In just 53 days, Miller and Starekow transformed the small 864-square foot space into an intimate dining area capable of seating up to 50 people.
Suspended light fixtures illuminate the long granite sushi bar that runs along the right side of the restaurant, and the red paint and various art pieces that adorn the interior evoke a feeling of peaceful comfort.
"We really took a look at what draws people to sushi and we found that ambiance was a big part," Miller said. "We decided we wanted to mimic that in a completely different way and make it our own."
Almost 20 different varieties of Sake are displayed behind the sushi bar, which also showcases a large flat screen TV that plays running clips of nature documentaries.
But the aesthetically pleasing interior is only one small part of Kemosabe's innovative take on sushi, as the newly expanded menu offers unique creations that blend the traditional with the unimaginable.
"We kept an eye on what people were really liking when we offered sushi at Silverheels," Miller said. "Before we opened, we came up with this idea for a jalapeño shooter, which is a deep-fried jalapeño pepper wrapped in tuna. So far, it's been a huge hit." Using fresh ingredients, the chefs at Kemosabe present every dish with hand-crafted garnishes that can only be compared to fine pieces of art.
The sushi menu also boasts a number of innovative roll options, and those looking to branch out of their comfort zone will not be disappointed with the Madison roll or Hot Hippie roll.
Kemosabe's sushi is reasonably priced, given its exceptional quality, and those looking to save some cash can hit up happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., when a selection of rolls are only $5 and every large Japanese beer comes with a free small bottle of hot sake.
Ashley Dickson can be reached at (970) 668-4629, or at [email protected].
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Beth Jahnigen Pappas
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Kemosabe Sushi & Sake Opens in Summit County
Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Famer, Bob Starekow, and partner, Chris Miller bring 40 years of experience to Frisco's newest restaurant
Frisco, CO - February 13, 2009 - The much-anticipated Kemosabe Sushi & Sake Bar has opened in the heart of Colorado's ski country. Located on Frisco's Main Street, Kemosabe Sushi blends traditional Japanese style sushi together with a unique Rocky Mountain flare.
The restaurant is the newest venture for Chef/Owner Bob Starekow and business partner, Chris Miller, a Summit County culinary team with more than 40 years of combined restaurant experience, most notably, Silverheels at the Ore House, which just celebrated its 20h anniversary. Starekow was inducted into the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
"With Kemosabe we wanted to create a unique experience, unlike any other in Summit County," says Starekow. "The food is fresh and dynamic, combining traditional Japanese techniques with innovative and Western-inspired flavor combinations. When guests come to Kemosabe, they will have the sense that west has met east."
Kemosabe Sushi can be described as 'Mountain Metro' with a menu focused on the freshest sashimi and nigiri along with unique, western-influenced rolls like the Lone Ranger Roll featuring fresh hamachi, habanero cream cheese and avocado and new takes on crowd-pleasing classics like chili garlic edamame and ahi jalapeno shooters. The restaurant also offers over 20 varieties of sake and Japanese beer along with an innovative cocktail menu.
At the helm of Kemosabe's four-person culinary team is Chef Ted Minami, a Japanese-born and trained sushi chef who most recently was head chef at Sato Sushi in Edwards, Colorado.
Kemosabe Sushi offers an intimate dining experience with sleek and modern, yet cozy d�cor and has two tetami rooms for private parties. The restaurant is open from 4 to10pm seven days a week.
For more information on Kemosabe Sushi Bar, visit www.kemosabesushi.com or call 970.668.2100.