New sushi restaurant coming to Palatine

A new restaurant called Wajo Sushi was given permission by the Palatine village council to open in a vacant storefront near the Eurofresh Market.

Wajo Sushi's future home, a 1,500-square-foot storefront at 144 W. Northwest Highway, has been vacant for six years, co-owner Ryan Neuner told the Palatine Zoning Board of Appeals during a March 28 meeting. The restaurant will be narrow at just 14½ feet wide and just under 100 feet deep.

According to documents filed with the village, the restaurant will serve 32 types of sushi rolls, ranging from $6 to $14 per menu item. They also will sell four party trays ranging from $30 to $100.

Co-owner Won Jang told the zoning board he has about 20 years experience with sushi, and owns 10 sushi restaurant retail locations inside grocery stores.

The restaurant will have a traditional kitchen and an open prep kitchen where customers can watch their sushi being made. In all, there will be 31 seats for customers. Eight seats will be in tall chairs overlooking the sushi bar, and there will be four booths and three 2-person tables.

The restaurant will be in the shopping center anchored by Eurofresh Market. Other stores in the shopping center include Briana's Restaurant & Pancake House, Family Martial Arts, Wine & Spirits, Edelweiss Delicatessen and Noah's Hair Salon.

The Palatine village council unanimously voted for the restaurant's approval during its meeting Monday night.