Ken Oppenheimer, owner of Sushi on the Roll, has revealed plans for the expansion of his Medina sushi bar into a full-service restaurant.
The sushi-maker moved into its 7,000-square foot space at 985 Boardman Alley, two years ago. The kitchens produce all of the sushi the company sells at grocery stores, stadiums, cafeterias and other retail outlets, but Oppenheimer noted there was a lot of wasted space out front.
The restaurant will be renamed Twiisted, and will serve sushi and traditional Japanese food, along with gourmet burgers and steaks, salads, appetizers and desserts. The new place also will feature a full bar, with lounge seating and a stone fireplace.
Oppenheimer said his customers have asked for more than just sushi, and he plans to deliver.
The restaurant will remain open during the renovation. Look for Twiisted to debut this summer. Also this summer, Oppenheimer also will be launching his second Mobile Sushi Bar food truck.
“You will be able to get our high quality food anywhere in Northeast Ohio … whether you come to us, or we come to you,” he said.
• Meanwhile, the Swaldo family, owners of Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, have announced that their new restaurant in Green will be named the Twisted Olive Italian American Kitchen.
The new restaurant, at 5430 Massillon Road, is inside the Belden Lodge in Southgate/Boettler Park. It will feature indoor and outdoor seating, and a casual menu of classic Italian American fare.
The restaurant is expected to open in late 2014. It will feature wines from Gervasi.
• Another location of the Rail burger bar is expected to open at Belden Village Mall in March.
In the shopping aisle
Pappardelle’s Pasta Co. in the Hartville Marketplace has expanded its store for the second time in the year since it opened. Owners Lee and Linda Eizenberg are offering an even wider selection of fresh and dried pasta, as well as gluten-free pasta and bread.
• Fishers Foods is about to open an expanded natural, health food, and organic section within its existing store at 5215 Fulton Road NW, in Jackson Township.
Fishers Better For You will specialize in all things healthy, including a large selection of gluten-free foods. There also will be a section of bulk nuts and grains. The store will feature an on-site dietitian who will offer nutritional guidance and meal planning ideas.
Fishers Better For You opens Monday.
Got a food idea?
The Center for Innovative Food Technology in Toledo is once again sponsoring its Northeast Ohio Food Contest, for folks who have a food item that they are serious about trying to get on the market.
Contestants must submit a form detailing their recipe based on the viability of the product, commercialization potential, business strategy, marketability and overall appeal to the marketplace. Finalists will then be selected and invited to present their business concept and food product to a panel of judges.
The contest winner will receive technical and business development assistance to help advance the product to the marketplace, as well as samples of the product to be used for consumer feedback.
Deadline to submit the completed application is Feb. 21. Only one product per applicant. Application forms along with official contest rules and regulations can be found at www.ciftinnovation.org, or call 419-535-6000, ext. 117.
Applicants must live within the 18-county northeast Ohio region to be considered.
Film and dessert
The public is invited to attend the Summit Food Policy Coalition’s Growing Hope Film Series on Feb. 7, at the Miller Avenue United Methodist Church, 1095 Edison Ave., Akron, for a showing of the movie Secrets of Sugar.
The program is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a healthy dessert to share, along with the recipe. Make-and-take Valentine cards also will be available. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Katie Fry at 330-608-1454.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.