Photography by Bob Greenspan

Sushi kodawari

Located in the historic Creamery Building at 2100 Central in the Crossroads Arts District, Sushi Kodawari is Kansas City’s first Omakase-style dining experience. Chef Karson Thompson offers two seatings of eight diners per evening with a menu that will change with the seasons.

The renovation of the space began with the construction of a lamella arch suspended from original concrete beams to screen infrastructure above and enliven the space below. The arch is made of 108 members of Southern Yellow Pine that were CNC-routed for precision by Eric Thomas and Mitch Kirkwood with assembly handled by the fine craftsmen of Hurst Construction.

The restaurant is divided into three main spaces: the Serving/Dining Area with its counter finished in Hinoki Cypress imported from Japan, the Kitchen, outfitted with a dry-aging refrigerator for complex-flavored fish preparations; and the Gallery, where patrons can meet and socialize before their seating begins. 

The plan layout with its central axis features two Akari light sculptures symmetrically placed at the front corners. These are a tribute to one the Crossroads Founding Fathers, John O’Brien. John always had one of these Akari sculptures in his Dolphin galleries.

Another Kansas Citian who aided and abetted the Sushi Kodawari design is Elizabeth Wilson of Asiatica. The set of screens that grace the Serving/Dining Area,  painted by the Japanese Master, Keibun, and dating from early in the 19th Century, came from Elizabeth’s collection.

General Contractor: Hurst Construction
Casework and woodcrafting: Hurst Construction Lamella Arch: Thomas Design Build Custom Doors & Benches: Matt Schmitz Custom Metalwork: Pascal Meya Mural: KC MURALS by Katie Lee Lighting Consult: Beverly McMurray, Mercer Zimmerman