Bill Clinton Drops By New Greenwich Restaurant

GREENWICH, CT — MIKU, which means "a beautiful moment" in Japanese, is also the appropriate namesake for Greenwich's newest sushi bar and restaurant. The new eatery opened at 68 Greenwich Avenue just a few months ago and has quickly become a favorite spot to spend many beautiful moments, as guests enjoy cuisine inspired by Japanese culinary traditions with a Western influence.

The restaurant has had a steady flow of customers and reservations since opening in April. Even former president Bill Clinton made a point to stop into the restaurant on Saturday, July 6.

For owner K Dong, MIKU's quick success can be mostly attributed to one thing: quality.

"Quality is a huge component that sets us apart from other sushi restaurants in the area," Dong said in an email to Patch. "Also, the whole dining experience is focused on the customer. We worked hard to build an atmosphere that is chic and elegant, and we pay close attention to detail [and] presentation with each dish."

Dong, who grew up in the restaurant industry, said he works hard to train his staff in customer service, ensuring that guests can relax without feeling rushed.

"I want people to take their time," Dong said, "which sometimes results in having to turn away walk-ins and takeout orders."

That quality is also evident in MIKU's menu, which includes items such as tuna tartare, rock shrimp tempura, pork buns, live scallops, grill shishito peppers and Peking duck wraps among other items. The restaurant receives daily deliveries from Tokyo Fish Market in Japan, and it also boasts a menu of craft cocktails, top-shelf sake and rare Japanese whiskeys, according to a statement from the restaurant.

In addition to MIKU, Dong is the part owner of Kumo Sushi & Lounge, a popular Scarsdale, N.Y., restaurant. He is also the mastermind behind MIKU's interior, designing each detail with architect Rudy Ridberg.

MIKU's quick popularity is evident in the feedback the new restaurant has received from customers during its first few months of operation, which Dong said has been "tremendous."

"We get a lot of return customers," Dong said, "and a lot of customers are coming in after hearing about MIKU from a friend. I ask new customers how they heard about us and most of the time they say a friend's suggestion. It took me five years to grow this type of word-of-mouth at my restaurant in Westchester."

While the foot traffic on Greenwich Avenue has given them great exposure, Dong also attributes a strong demand for a quality local sushi restaurant with an elegant atmosphere as a reason for Greenwich being the most ideal location for MIKU.

"I love the people [in Greenwich]," Dong said. "They are open-minded about the cuisine and the culture. They are very friendly and have a lot of interesting ideas. I can experiment and introduce exciting things to customers. People here enjoy a new experience, and I enjoy the challenge of meeting their expectations."

For anyone looking to give MIKU a try, Dong strongly encourages customers to call the restaurant ahead of time and make a reservation. The restaurant also offers catering platters for corporate and special events, and can accommodate vegan and gluten-free diets.

Additional information about the menu, which is set to become more curated and seasonal in the fall, as well as special guest chefs and whiskey and sake tastings, can be found at the restaurant's website.