A new restaurant is poised to bring sushi and teppanyaki to a space that locals have long associated with hibachi dining. Nori Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki is expected to open in a few months inside Bartlett’s Stage Centre, taking over the spot once occupied by the longtime restaurant Saito.
The move marks the end of an era for Saito, which had served as a fixture of the Stage Centre shopping area for years, according to the Daily Memphian. Nori will bring its own blend of sushi and teppanyaki fare to the same space once it opens, the outlet reports, though no firm opening date has been set.
A Shifting Restaurant Scene Along Stage Road
Nori’s arrival is just one piece of a restaurant landscape in Bartlett that’s been shifting in several directions at once. The area has seen newly opened eateries, a few empty storefronts left behind by recent closures, and a couple of prominent properties still on the market, per the same outlet’s reporting.
Among the recent openings is Oasis Fire Grill, which brought its Mediterranean menu to 6525 Memphis-Arlington Road, according to The Daily Memphian. Meanwhile, construction is underway on a new Dutch Bros. Coffee location in the Raina Plaza at 6220 Stage Road, adding another name to the suburb’s growing list of food and drink options.
Vacancies Still Lingering
Not every corner of Bartlett’s dining scene is filling up as quickly. The former Baby Jack’s BBQ restaurant at 7610 U.S. 70 has sat on the market for more than a year, still awaiting a new tenant, as noted by The Daily Memphian.
Sushi concepts have been popping up elsewhere in the region too, though none are directly connected to Nori’s opening. Downtown Memphis is expecting May’s Sushi & Catering in the South Main District, while Nashville’s West End has been anticipating the debut of Noko Yaki after nearly three years in development. Wilson County, meanwhile, recently welcomed Rock N Roll Sushi and its American-style approach to the cuisine.
For now, Bartlett diners will have to wait a bit longer to find out exactly when Nori’s doors will open inside the Stage Centre, but the former Saito space won’t stay empty for long.
