According to a message sent by The Daily Lunch, Asai in Belmont is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying that the owner of the Leonard Street eatery has decided to retire. The sign also says that the people behind a restaurant in Eagle River, Alaska called Shine's have moved to the Boston area and will be reopening the dining spot in Asai's space, and based on the offerings at the original restaurant--which closed in 2014 and now appears to be open again under new ownership--it looks like the new location of Shine's will be an Asian fusion spot that includes dishes with Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese influences.
Asai first opened 18 years ago, with the place offering sushi, stir-fried dishes, Korean fare, and more.
The address for the now-closed Asai (and upcoming Shine's) is 30 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478.
[September 29 update: Eater Boston states that Shine's plans to soft-open in Belmont on October 10.]
[October 27 update: A check on the place indicates that Shine's is now open, and that the menu includes a wide variety of sushi options along with curry dishes, rice bowls, noodle dishes and noodle soups, and more.]
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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]
