Atypical Asian restaurant opens

Service teams are in uniform and preparing for a “soft” opening this week at Tamashii, an interesting Asian restaurant that landed at the late Sunset Bistro location, 4039 Masonboro Loop Road.

Tamashii’s sushi and entrée menu along with ceviche, poke and tartare served as tastings on individual spoons takes off with either a private “friends and family” event or opening sans advertising probably on Thursday, Aug. 9, Tamashii owners/chefs Mark Scharaga and Jonathan White said.

Forty-eight-seat Tamashii’s, with its hammered tin bar and deep purple walls hung with bright Asian art, hint at the restaurant’s progressive vibe even as crews gather in the still-developing space before the opening.

Scharaga, previously the sushi chef at Shallotte Cattle Barn that closed this year, oversees traditional and unusual sushi and sashimi. The House Roll holds seared tenderloin, Dungeness crab, asparagus and sea salt. A roll inspired by Hawaii features tempura shrimp, toasted coconut, crisp bacon, charred pineapple and macadamia brittle.

Wilmington native White, who has cooked in Seattle, Alaska and Philadelphia, including time at Philly’s Morimoto, handles entrees. Expect green tea-smoked duck breast, ginger lemongrass grilled shrimp and grilled beef tenderloin with demi-glace made from the Tokyo Black brand of porter beer.

Wilmington’s Velvet Freeze ice cream shop will craft flavors such as maple wasabi ice cream and lemongrass sorbet for the restaurant.

A full bar, sake, beer and wine are available as well.

Sushi prices range from $5 to $14. Spoons cost $2.50 each. Entrees cost between $22 and $28.

Tamashii’s hours will be 4:30-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.