The team behind longtime downtown sushi staple Rishi is heading back to its old haunt with a new concept called SAGE, promising a summertime return to 114 N. Third Street. This time around, the group is talking elevated sushi, chef-driven tasting menus and programmed nights with DJs and live music, pitching the project as a true second act after Rishi’s closure earlier this year.
According to Columbus Business First, the new restaurant is set to take over the former Rishi Sushi Kitchen & Bar space at 114 N. 3rd St. The preview notes that the original Rishi founders are reuniting to launch SAGE in the same downtown spot they once helped anchor.
Local outlet Columbus Navigator reports that SAGE is being developed by Rishi founder Sudhir Dubey and chef David Kim, who first opened Rishi in 2014. Navigator highlights an Instagram announcement summed up with the message “Act 2 is happening,” and notes that the team is recruiting for front- and back-of-house roles as well as performers, a clear hint that programming will sit at the center of SAGE’s identity.
What To Expect At SAGE
Per Columbus Monthly, SAGE is expected to serve elevated sushi and other Asian-inspired dishes alongside chef tasting menus, with a rotating schedule of live music, DJ nights and art showcases. The owners are envisioning a hybrid dining and entertainment venue that can also host private tastings and pop-ups. There is no firm opening date yet, but the team is aiming to welcome guests sometime this summer.
From Rishi To SAGE
Rishi closed in January after more than a decade downtown, and the owners hinted at a “second act” when they announced the shutdown, according to Columbus Underground. The corner storefront at Third and Long has been a recognizable downtown fixture since Rishi opened in 2014, and SAGE is a direct attempt to keep a restaurant presence active at the address. For regulars who mourned Rishi’s departure, the new concept is positioning itself as both a culinary and cultural reboot.
The project’s site, SAGE's website, shows the team hiring widely, including servers, bartenders, cooks, DJs and artists, suggesting the owners see the space as a programming-focused destination rather than a simple dinner stop. That approach aligns with a broader downtown trend toward multiuse dinner and entertainment concepts that try to keep energy flowing well past standard dining hours.
For now, SAGE’s site and Rishi’s existing social media channels are the best places to watch for an exact opening date and reservation details. We will update readers as the owners lock in a timeline and release a full menu.
