In 2000, Brian and Mei Mao opened Umi Sushi Bar and Grill in South Austin around the time sushi was gaining mainstream acceptance in American culture.
Umi General Manager Andre Dinata said the customers at a Chinese buffet owned by the Maos at William Cannon Drive and South Congress Avenue wanted the couple to a open sushi restaurant at 5510 I-35, Ste. 400, the site of what was planned to be another Chinese buffet.
“Back in the year 2000, there weren’t that many sushi places,” Dinata said. “But right as the buffet was about to open, the demand for sushi went up.”
Umi Sushi Bar and Grill General Manager Andre Dinata oversees the daily operations of the restaurant.[/caption]The couple, Dinata and the team opted to start Umi in August 2000 and focus on sushi, Dinata said.
After Brian’s death in 2002, Mei became the sole owner of Umi. In 2005, Dinata, who had worked with the couple since their time at the Chinese buffet, was promoted to general manager and continues to serve in that role.
Today, there are several sushi restaurants in South Austin, Dinata said, but Umi stands apart with its 6,000-square-foot space and a sushi bar, drink bar and dining area.
Teriyaki maguro ($24) is one of Umi Sushi Bar and Grill’s fusion dishes, combining seared rare ahi tuna with American sides such as mashed potatoes and asparagus.[/caption]On the menu is traditional sushi and sashimi, sushi rolls, bento box lunches and dinners, udon noodles, tempura and other Japanese fare.
Also on the menu are fusion dishes that combine American cuisine with Asian tastes, including the teriyaki maguro ($24), a seared ahi tuna dish served with wasabi mashed potatoes and asparagus.
An entree venturing even further from Asian cuisine is the Italian classic chicken marsala ($17), chicken breast with pasta and asparagus topped with marsala sauce. Umi also serves filet mignon ($25) with mashed potatoes, asparagus and marsala sauce.
The large dining area at Umi Sushi Bar and Grill has a separate sushi bar and drink bar. Food and drink specials are discounted during happy hour from 4-6:30 p.m. daily.[/caption]Dinata said Umi has a chef from Taiwan who specializes in Italian cooking.
“While sushi has become popular and people know about it now, not everyone eats sushi,” Dinata said. “When customers come here and say, ‘I don’t eat sushi,’ we show them the steak.”
In addition to dine-in and carryout, Umi also participates in online delivery services such as Amazon Prime Now, Bitesquad, Postmates and Yelp Eat24.
Umi Sushi Bar & Grill, 5510 S. I-35, Ste. 400, Austin
512-383-8681 • www.umiaustin.com
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Thu. 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Sat. noon-midnight, Sun. noon-10 p.m.
