By: Megan Roche

Umai Sushi and Steakhouse, now open at 18 Grove Ave in Verona, brings it share of the Japanese food and culture to the area. The new restaurant serves high end sushi, Omakase style.

Omakase roughly translates to ‘I’ll leave it up to you.’ Customers leave their order up to the chef, letting the chef decide which items to serve. Chefs present food from the lightest course to the heaviest course. 

At Umai Sushi and Steakhouse, there are also perks. 

“If you eat omakase at the bar 5 times, you’ll get your own personalized chop sticks to be displayed and stored for your subsequent visits,” Umai Sushi and Steakhouse owner, Allen Perchonok, shared.

Perchonok originally worked in the fashion industry in New York City. He designed high end furs, shearlings and alligator jackets. He’s worked with designers from Coach to Brandon Maxwell. He left the fashion industry pre pandemic and saw the location in Verona and knew it was the perfect spot to open Umai Sushi and Steakhouse. While he is a classically trained French chef, sushi is one of Perchonok’s favorite cuisines. 

Much of Perchonok’s ingredients even come straight from the country of Japan itself.

“Delicious and fresh, 3/4 of the food is delivered every morning from Japan and prepared for order,” Perchonok says. 

The sushi bar is modeled after some of the best in New York City. 

Umai Sushi and Steakhouse is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Dinner reservations are required. For more information, call (862) 277-4125.