Little Rock restaurateur Jerry Barakat says that he’ll open a new Japanese restaurant, called Kemuri, at 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. by late July. The space was previously occupied by Ferneau and Rocket 21. 

Barakat said the restaurant will be modeled on the upscale Las Vegas sushi restaurant Nobu, and will specialize in Japanese cuisine, sushi and fresh seafood. Barakat said he’ll be bringing in sushi chefs from his West Little Rock restaurant Oceans at Arthur’s. 

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“We’ll have fresh fish, fresh seafood, Asian dishes — mainly Japanese dishes — and gourmet smoked meats,” he said. “People are going to love it.” 

Barakat said he’s currently waiting on the liquor license for Kemuri, which he hopes will be issued by the middle of July. He said the grand opening should be sometime between July 20 and August 1.  

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