Photo by Stacey Windsor
From an email:
“Brother-and-sister owners Ken and Aki Ballogdajan will open their new concept AKO by KENAKI at The Roost early 2020. Chef Ken and his sister Aki opened their first restaurant, KENAKI Sushi Counter, in Gaithersburg last year. While Ken touts a 25-year career in the industry (which includes time spent at Raku, VOLT, and with Chef Ryan Trevino in San Juan, PR), his sister Aki left her career in software in 2018 to open KENAKI as its GM. Though this will be the second concept for the Ballogdajans, the siblings are third-generation restaurant owners and got their start in the industry as teens. Their sushi counter at The Roost is named for their late mother, Ako (her nickname).
Photo by Stacey Windsor
At AKO by KENAKI, Chef Ken Ballogdajan plans to offer periodic omakase experiences, a feature that is not currently on the menu at their Gaithersburg location, and one that fits perfectly with the intimacy of their space at The Roost. Fans of KENAKI will be familiar with Makimono signature rolls such as White Tiger (seared scallop, salmon, eel, granny smith apple, avocado, puffed rice, sweet shoyu, chunky rayu). New creations exclusive to AKO will be the Red Phantom Roll (white onion ponzu, lump crab meat, asparagus tempura, avocado, crispy garlic & shallot, chives, yukari) and Chu-Toro Negi Roll (medium fatty tuna seasoned with infused shoyu, scallion, avocado, tempura flakes, micro-shiso), as well as the Hiramasa Crudo (cilantro pesto, watermelon radish, ponzu, crispy shallot, chili oil). Also unique to their sushi counter at The Roost, AKO will focus solely on sushi and raw fish preparations, as opposed to KENAKI which offers hot menu items.”