Hand-roll fans in Optimist Park are about to get a new go-to. Sharigato, a counter-style hand-roll sushi bar from chef-owner Shari Lynne Robins, is gearing up to open at The Joinery and expects to start welcoming diners in the coming weeks. The compact spot is built around made-to-order temaki that arrive one roll at a time so the nori stays crisp and the rice warm. The only thing standing between Sharigato and opening day is the final round of health-inspection approvals.
When It Will Open And Where
In a statement to WhatNow, Robins said, “We will officially launch in the next few weeks,” noting that the exact timing depends on those last health-inspection sign-offs. The outlet reports that Sharigato is taking a street-level unit inside The Joinery at 420 E. 22nd Street in Optimist Park.
Menu And Drinks
According to Sharigato, the tight menu leans into hand rolls built around salmon, scallops, blue crab and toro, along with vegetable-forward options like roasted eggplant and umami mushrooms. The site also lists snacks such as edamame, seaweed salad and blistered shishitos, and notes that the bar will pour Japanese-inspired cocktails, craft sake and beer.
Counter Experience And A Takeout Robot
Local previews describe an intimate layout split across two counters that seats roughly 24 guests, with a hand-washing station near the entrance and first-come, first-served seating, per Axios Charlotte. The operation will also feature a takeout window, dubbed “Shariboto,” where a sushi-rolling machine will turn out maki-style rolls designed to travel better.
Where It Fits In Optimist Park
The Joinery is pitching itself as a walkable, mixed-use block with in-building retail and street-level dining, and Sharigato is now part of that lineup, according to The Joinery. The arrival of a focused, small-format counter spot tracks with a broader shift in the neighborhood, with more residents moving in and a rise in experience-driven, counter-first concepts.
Robins built Sharigato after testing the idea through pop-ups and years in restaurant and product development, and she says the format is designed to be both craveable and repeatable. For the latest updates on timing and opening hours, keep an eye on Instagram and the restaurant’s website.
