Sushi Restaurant Targets Barrington

Barrington is getting a new Asian restaurant – Sushi Express.

The Zoning Board of Review approved at its Thursday night, Oct. 27, meeting a special-use permit for what is described as a mostly takeout restaurant with some seating.

Sushi Express will move into the corner location at the shopping center at 306 County Road that Smoothie Natural leased until recently. It’s a few steps south of Chiazza Trattoria & Bar.

Jason Yao is the owner. The Warwick restaurteur owns two other Asian restaurants: Asia Palace on North Main Street, Providence, and Asia Bistro on Dorrance Street, Providence.

Anthony DeSisto, the attorney who represented Yao before the Zoning Board, said he will spend a couple of months building out the location before opening sometime around “the turn of the year.”

“He plans to start work immediately,” DeSisto said. “I think he has a great business plan that will bring something new to Barrington.”

Yao expects about two-thirds of his business to be takeout, DeSisto said. His other restaurants are more traditional sit-down eateries.

“He has extensive experience in the restaurant business,” DeSisto said. “He thinks this concept will work in Barrington."

As its name implies, Sushi Express will serve plenty of sushi – probably about 75 percent of its menu -- as well as other Asian dishes for lunch and dinner.

Yao will be applying for a Class BVL liquor license to sell beer and wine, including saki, DeSisto said.

Hours are expected to be 11 am to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 am to 11 pm Friday and Saturday.