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Chef Johnny Cao whips up lunch at Kobe Japanese Steak and Seafood's new restaurant in Southpoint II.
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PHOTOS BY PETER CIHELKA/THE FREE LANCE-STAR 
Kobe accommodates its Spotsylvania fans
Tony Shih has opened a Kobe Japanese Steak and Seafood House in Southpoint II
Date published: 2/10/2012 By Cathy Jett SPOTSYLVANIA County fans of Kobe Japanese Steak and Seafood House no longer have to drive to Garrisonville to get their sushi, sashimi and teriyaki fix. Owner Tony Shih opened a second location Monday in the former Ozeki Japanese Steak & Seafood House in Southpoint II in Massaponax. "We have a lot of customers from Stafford who have moved to Spotsylvania, but they were still driving to Stafford to eat at our restaurant," he said. Shih credits the sauces his chefs serve with the steak, salmon and chicken they prepare for groups seated around the new restaurant's 11 hibachi grill tables, as well as the freshness of the dozen or so types of seafood that his Japanese sushi chefs use to create sushi and sashimi at the sushi bar. "We order the seafood four times a week," he said. "It comes in every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday." Shih said he'd studied the Massaponax area for nearly two years before buying the Southpoint II building near Lowe's where Kobe and the new Salsarita's Fresh Cantina are now located. Kobe's interior looks much as it did when it was Ozeki, but Shih said he's using different vendors. They include US Foods, one of the country's top food service distributors. The extensive lunch and dinner menu, which includes bento box specials and several types of yakisoba, is the same as the one at the Garrisonville Kobe, and everything on it can be served either at the hibachi grill tables, the sushi bar or the restaurant's private room. "We expanded the alcohol list, and we'll expand the alcohol list at the other restaurant," said service manager Shiloh Meyer. Kobe will be offering a Valentine's Day special on Apothic Red, a blend of three California grapes whose flavors of rhubarb and black cherry are complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. There also will be a special three-course meal that day for $39. "We're already getting reservations," Meyer said. Shih immigrated to the United States from Taiwan and studied to become a sushi chef in Baltimore before buying the Kobe Japanese Steak and Seafood Restaurant at 261 Garrisonville Road. He owned it with partner Vincent Luu from 1999 to 2006, when Shih bought out Luu, who now runs a restaurant in New Orleans. Shih said he has no plans to open a third restaurant yet, but has been approached about opening one in the Quantico area. Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
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Date published: 2/10/2012
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