Poké​ Franchise Soon to Open In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Rapidly increasing in popularity across the country, the traditional Hawaiian dish poké has inspired a franchise of restaurants called Pokéworks, which currently operates in 45 locations in the United States and soon plans to open 27 more, including one in West Hartford.

Pokéworks currently operates in two Connecticut locations - Westport and Wilton - and plans to shortly begin operations in Greenwich, as well as in the Corbin Collection shopping mall at 1445 New Britain Avenue.

Poké is one of the main dishes of native Hawaiian cuisine. It is diced raw fish that has been gutted, skinned, and deboned, and is served as either an appetizer or entree. It is served with traditional condiments, including sea salt, candlenut and seaweed.

Longtime friends Max Condron and Sonny Chen are co-owners of the new West Hartford location; Chen also owns Black Bamboo in town. They anticipate an opening date in mid-August, according to we-ha.com.