Fujimamas Looking Back Looking Ahead–6 months later… update and thoughts

November 1st, 2009

Well, here we are. It has been 6 mons since the closing of the landmark home base of Fujimamas in Tokyo. Where are we? what are we doing? and what comes next?

Mark and Lisa (the owners, creators and inspiration behind the original fujimamas) are on the Big Island of Hawaii running two amazing locations FUJIMAMAS Hawaii and HULI SUE’s BBQ in Waimea. They are working with Tomo and Dany also formerly of Fujimamas in Tokyo. They are working hard and doing well in spite of a difficult economy. Everyone in the restaurant business around the world is hoping to survive this challenging year and see improved conditions in 2010~

Ramon, Myself (Lauren Shannon) and Our former Head Chef Sham- are running a new catering company here in the big metropolis- TO The Moon and Back. It is going well so far. Though each day brings new challeges and new lessons learned. The food is still stellar thanks to Sham and our service team is wonderful thanks to Ramon. Me– I am mostly steering the ship with the help of my new Business partner Mike.

You may have also heard- since I am shouting it from rooftops, that we opened a small co-location wine bar in the same space as Notting Hill Cakes. The bar is Called Kimono Wine Bar and it is small, cozy and a labor of Love! Our fabulous fujimamas bartender Peter is working with me there and he is mixing up some amazing drinks along with our extensive wine list.

Other Fujimamas notables–
Jackie our dinner manager is helping out over at ROTI Roppongi, Ben is cooking up some gorgeous food at KAMU in Aoyama, Papa Stellios is chef-ing it up at Beacon, Wada san is making lovely party food at TY Harbor, Hisa is at the Four Seasons doing pastry, a big group of our team is serving and supporting over at TAC and various other staff are scattered around the city still enjoying the fun and satisfaction of preparing and serving food to hungry Tokyo-ites.

What’s Next? Well that is still largely an open question. We are looking to expand the wine bar operation and we are scouting locations to bring Fujimamas back to life here in Tokyo- new company and new neighborhood but same passion. If you are interested in helping us do that- either with investment, location ideas, business advice– be sure to email me.

In the meantime, we are providing a huge variety of catering menus for the autmum and holiday seasons. And we are getting ready to cater Turkey Dinners, company lunches, and private events for Thanksgiving. If you need catering we are the most flexible, passionate, and detail oriented catering team around. Email us and let us make a menu just for you.

Places of NOTE from above
Fujimamas Hawaii
Huli Sues

Kimono Wine Bar
To the Moon and Back Catering

Friends and former staff;
KAMU
Tokyo American Club / TAC
Roti
Beacon
TY Harbor

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