‘A massive loss’: Charlotte restaurant — called Michelin star-worthy — will close
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kappo En will close August 2 due to chef departure and rising costs.
- Owner cites challenges sourcing ingredients and hiring skilled sushi chefs.
- Community chefs and diners expressed deep appreciation and disappointment.
An intimate, eight-seat Charlotte tasting restaurant tucked inside a Japanese ramen shop is closing its doors.
Kappo En, which prepares omakase-style sushi in multiple courses while customers watch in a speakeasy-style space at Menya Daruma, is shutting down indefinitely after dinner service Saturday, Aug. 2
Crafting the restaurant’s seasonal nigiri is a specialized skill — one that has brought ongoing challenges for Menya Daruma owner Ted Nakato and sushi chef Yasuhiro Tabita.
With the upcoming departure of a key chef, the daunting task of gathering imported seasonal ingredients and operating costs rising, the pair has decided it’s time to press pause — perhaps for good.
“Hiring a chef with the skillset required to prepare our menu would most likely require someone that immigrated from Japan,” a message from Nakato and Tabita said via Kappo En’s Instagram.
“It was a true pleasure to serve our seasonal menus and sake to the guests that have joined us. For the guests that have come back for multiple visits, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. It was a beautiful sight to see a moment of pleasure on a guest’s face after a bite or sip at our counter,” the message continued.
News of the closure drew an outpouring of grief, including messages from some of Charlotte’s top food and beverage professionals.
- “Haven’t cried over a restaurant closing until now. Y’all were the best in town in my eyes. We have to support small local restaurants that are pushing boundaries in this city,” wrote Counter- chef and owner Sam Hart, who also recently opened Spaghett. “Anyone who has asked me if we have a textbook Michelin dining spot in Charlotte, I never say us, I always say them,” they added in a Facebook post.
- Chef Kenny Do said, “Still hands down my favorite dining experience that I have had in Charlotte. Heartbroken to say the least! Thank you for everything. You guys will be missed!”
- Chef Perry Saito of Katsu Cart and DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen, wrote: “What a massive loss for the city. Bummed I didn’t get to make it in for another meal. Wishing you guys all the best.”
- L’Ostrica pastry chef Sam Ward wrote, “Hate this. My friends and I enjoyed our meals here so much.”
Fans can hold out a small bit of hope for Kappo En to return in the future, though.
“Perhaps you may see a redux or some sort of reincarnation down the road if the business environment improves,” the Instagram post said.
Kappo En
Location: 1941 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Cuisine: Japanese, tasting restaurant
Instagram: @kappo_en
