On their website it says they will be opening in August of 2009... Hmmm....

http://hanabimn.com/Home_Page.php

They've been doing a lot of work in that Women in Construction Building on 1st Ave W for a long time, months, maybe over a year.  If that is the spot it will be convenient for me to go there once in awhile for lunch. Hopefully they succeed brilliantly.  Sammy's has been across the street for decades, and Coney Island a 1/2 block away for just about as long ... You know, 1st st gets a bad rep, but it really is a vibrant den of small business. Almost all local with one or two exceptions.  Thanks for the heads up

Sounds interesting, can't wait.

Hanabi is unrelated to Zen House. My understanding is the owners of Hanabi have two other sushi places in the metro area. They like Duluth and decided to open another location here. Exciting to soon have not zero but TWO sushi options downtown!

Women in Construction owns the building and their offices will still be next door to the restaurant. The renovations have been not just to the restaurant but to the new apartments upstairs.

Someone will post here when they get a firm opening date.

Now, will we get a good Ethiopian and a good Middle Eastern restaurant?  With Indian, Thai, Greek and Sushi, I'm almost covered.

Lebanese...

I miss The Cedars back in Seattle...awesome Lebanese.

Great! I have a cat named Hanabi, so maybe they'll let her eat there. Unfortunately I'm now allergic to soy so I have to avoid most Asian food :(

When last in the cities, I talked to the Wine Thief owner and they are looking for locations in Duluth. Encourage them!

I agree on a good Ethiopian place. You'd think with such big populations of immigrants in Winnipeg and the Cities we'd be getting one second gen family that wants to feed us awesome food.

I am so excited! SUSHI! Ya ta!

Hanabi was hoping to be open by now but construction was held up - waiting for approval from the health dept. But now construction is underway and we hope that we to be done by the first part of November.  Hanabi will be located at 110 N First Ave West in the building owned by Women in Construction who is doing the work.  

Hanabi will offer a full liquor bar, sushi bar and fine Japanese Cuisine.  In addition, private parties can dine in the Tatami room or on the roof.  The chef's are very experienced sushi chef's and we can all expect a great dining experience. 

Hanabi is not part of the Zen House expansion but a separate business all-together.

On a side note, Women in Construction is also completing 9 studio apartment above the sushi bar which will be available by Nov 1st, the units are fabulous and rent for $425-450/mo.  The units are urban-condo syle with tall ceilings, in-floor heat/polished concrete floors, maple kitchens, tiled bathrooms.  Income restrictions apply: must make less than 60% of area median income. call 733-1451 for more info.

What, wait... were getting 2 sushi places!?!  Please serve booze and sushi till 2!

This is excellent news. So excited to have more central sushi locations opening up. Can't wait to try Hanabi. I've loved Zen House for years, and I'm extremely happy that they're opening a second location.

I just moved here from Washington state and I couldn't stand the offerings of that other sushi place. Please jeebus be better then that other place in Duluth, mn not GA!! lolz

Glad there's another JApanese restaurant opening.  Yes, we do need more ethnically diverse eatery places nearby.  Duluth is behind cali 20 yrs!  I am from Ca and relocated b/c there are no jobs in S.calif.!  I was driving back to the Cities for good food for awhile and am pleasantly surprised about Habani.

Thanks!
jenna

opening tonight! 4:00 until 8:00

Finally finally descent food that isnt steak or baked potatoes or pizza and Chinese the major market up here in Duluth. Have always wondered how such a tourist destination could lack so in cultured cuisine. Hitting the saki and for sure and spicy tuna tonight!!