farewell sugata, welcome sakana

update august 3, 2025: sugata is now closed, and sakana and yasai has announced its soft opening hours will begin on august 11.

original post: on a recent check-in, a staffer at albany classic sugata japanese restaurant and sushi bar confirmed their upcoming closure and ownership change, as posted on the door.

"it will be ok," assured the host. "the new people coming in will also serve sushi, and they are good."

as locals know, sugata has anchored the albany end of solano, near san pablo avenue for decades. the japanese restaurant was opened in the early 1980s by kindly sushi chef koichi "papa" endo and his family who ran it for most of its years, serving literal generations of neighborhood sushi lovers with familiarity and warmth.

when the family retired from the restaurant in 2018, sugata acquired a new chef-owner who kept the name and little thatched roof over the front door, and the restaurant's following stayed notably loyal, even through the pandemic. but now it seems it's time to pass the lantern.

taking over from sugata later this month will be a second location for kensington-based neighborhood sushi restaurant sakana sushi & roll.

since its opening in 2019, sakana has become well known among kensington-area locals for its clean, cozy atmosphere, top-quality fish and produce, particularly artful rolls and signature purple rice.

the new albany venture will be called sakana and yasai, emphasizing their commitment to the freshest fish (sakana) and vegetables (yasai) in their sushi, including sushi for vegetarians.

the new spot will add to the influx of destinations glowing-up albany's end of solano. relative newcomers lulu, best friends wine bar, yonsei handrolls nearby on san pablo, relocated brezo and, further along solano, the handsome, new kitava dining space are all adding fresh sparkle to the area's already sunny, buzzy dining and drinking scene.

we wish sugata a warm-hearted farewell, and sakana an equally warm welcome.

sugata japanese restaurant at 1105 solano avenue in albany will close in july. if things proceed as planned, look for sakana and yasai to softly open in the space on august 11, 2025.

updated august 3, 2025

originally published july 10, 2025