Sushi Sensation Nodoguro Secures Lease in Iconic Genoa Restaurant Space

After sitting empty for two years, the space formerly home to the iconic Genoa restaurant (famous for bringing fine-dining and authentic Italian food to Portland in the 1970s) will get a new lease on life: Nodoguro will take it over in April, PoMo reports. Nodoguro is wildly celebrated for its innovative Japanese seafood "without rules" prix fixe menus, and since losing its Hawthorne lease in December, it has been operating inside Peter Cho's Han Oak. Now the big question on everyone's mind is, Will you finally be able to get a reservation at the new venue?

Roadhouse tells Eater he estimates a seating capacity of around 24, which is more seating than ever before. The chef's counter at Nodoguro will continue to seat around 15 guests, but chef Ryan Roadhouse is expanding with something he calls "The Study," an eight-seat lounge that will occupy one of the restaurant's two rooms. From the sounds of it, you'll be able to get a taste of Nodoguro in the form of nightly small plates and snacks.

Of course, chef Roadhouse's renowned 10-to-21-course meals will continue, and the restaurant will be open Wednesday through Sunday weekly. Three of these nights will be dedicated to Roadhouse's themed dinners (past themes have included Twin Peaks and Alice In Wonderland), and the other two nights will feature Nodoguro's Hardcore Sushi menus, a prix fixe menu boasting seafood from Japan's famous Tsukiji fish market given the signature Roadhouse treatment.

Located at 2832 SE Belmont St., the new Nodoguro is currently being remodeled, and Roadhouse estimates opening in April. Nodoguro is currently holding a crowdsourcing campaign loaded with perks for investors on Indiegogo, and in his letter for the fundraiser, Roadhouse writes, "The upside of losing our restaurant space a couple months ago, is the opportunity it provided to create a space that fits our personality and offers greater comfort to our guests."