Gulick Delicatessen owners to open new sit-down eatery

FAMILY RUN Gulick Delicatessen, which expanded with a second location early this year, is planning a new, sit-down restaurant.

Yes, another chance to pick up signature goodies from Star-Bulletin readers' favorite okazuya of 2006.

Gulick Delicatessen & Coffee Shop was founded about 30 years ago by Mary Makishi, now retired. Sons Cory Makishi and Lee Takara run the business under M.T.B. LLC.

"We wanted to do a second location," said Denise Takara, Lee's wife and manager of the new spot.

Gulick Delicatessen's second okazuya opened at 1936 S. King St., formerly Makino Chaya, Jan. 22, "and we actually are getting ready to open a dining room, under a separate name."

"We are hoping to open by Memorial Day weekend," Denise said.

Kochi restaurant's menu will be its own, with different items and family style platters.

However, the two will operate with the same basic ideas, "good local food, with an Asian influence ... same taste and quality, same cook, same kitchen. We're trying to jazz it up for the dining room," she said.

Dinner and cocktail service from 5 to midnight may be extended to 1 a.m. Reservations can be called in to the King Street Gulick Delicatessen at 941-2835, but walk-in customers will be welcome, Denise said.

With pupus, salad and family style platters, dinner could run $15 to $30 per person, said Lee Takara. It will also be possible to nosh and tipple in the lounge area.

Kochi will eventually serve lunch and breakfast as well.

Each Gulick Delicatessen has 20 to 25 employees and Kochi will need 10 to 15 at first.

The Gulick Avenue shop suffered about $80,000 fire damage in March 2005, but, "It was a small outside fire," Denise said. "The next day we changed some ceiling tiles." Business normalized once folks realized "that it hadn't burned down," she chuckled.

The first shop will not be closed. While smaller with parking challenges and no seating, the Gulick Avenue location offers more items, such as saimin and won ton min, which are not available at the new place. It operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. through Sat. and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

Gulick Delicatessen on King Street has parking and seating for 18 to 20 and is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com