2 Eateries Combining To Open Restaurant In Howard County

COLUMBIA, MD — The owners of two restaurants will be teaming up to open a new location together in Howard County.

Blowfish Poké owners Jennie and Steve Kwon, together with L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owner Michael Wu, have signed leases with Continental Realty Corporation to open this fall in the Giant Food-anchored neighborhood shopping center. Their joint restaurant will occupy 1,740 square feet at the Columbia Palace Plaza, according to QSR.

“The combined space is where national meets local and this is an extremely special collaboration,” said Michael Wu, who will soon operate three L&L Hawaiian Barbecue franchise locations in the Virginia and Maryland-area.

Jennie and Steve Kwon, the husband-and-wife due who own Blowfish Poké, have three locations in Howard County and Washington, D.C. They live in Howard County. Blowfish Poké Hawaiian Grill specializes in signature poke bowls crafted with premium, sushi-grade fish such as tuna, salmon and yellowtail, freshly hand-cut every day, according to their website. The seafood is marinated in house-made sauces that balance savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors to highlight its natural freshness. Guests can customize their bowls with a variety of bases including sushi rice, brown rice, or mixed greens then finish them with an assortment of vibrant toppings, including vegetables, avocado, cucumber, mango and toasted sesame.

The L&L Hawaiian Barbecue aims to “transport each customer to the Hawaiian Islands with each bite” of its menu items, including barbecue chicken, BBQ beef and chicken bowls, BBQ cheeseburgers, BBQ mix plates, fried shrimp, seafood combo, SPAM musubi (grilled SPAM on rice wrapped in dried seaweed), as well as its own style of LoCo Moco, according to its website. Founded in Hawaii in 1952, the brand has grown into a global franchise with more than 200 locations worldwide.

“The two restaurants complement each other extremely well with similar but distinct menu items and we believe that Howard County-area consumers will patronize both restaurants when looking for high-quality and grab-and-go lunch and dinner options,” explained Wu. “The Kwons understand the local market and are engaged in the community with fundraising events, and we intend to follow their lead, because we believe that supporting the community is important. The couple recommended Columbia Place Plaza because they live nearby and frequently visited one of the restaurants, and we followed their judgment.

“The Howard County market has demonstrated its interest in restaurants with ethnic cuisines, including Asian-inspired concepts and we are ready to deliver new flavor profile menu items to the area,” Wu continued. “Nationally-based franchises focus primarily on furthering their recognized brand, but local ones such as Blowfish Poké understand the essence and unique aspects of their markets and tailor their operations to address their consumers. We also plan to hire local talent, as compared to other restaurants which import employees.”