After Food-Borne Illness Incidents, LI Restaurant Closes Its Doors

STONY BROOK, NY — A sushi and Japanese steakhouse restaurant in Stony Brook is shutting down, after an incident in which 28 of people say they got sick and at least two filed a lawsuit.

Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse, at 2548 Nesconset Highway, announced on Saturday that Sunday, Sept. 24 will be its last day in business.

The Suffolk County Health Department said that at least 28 people reported symptoms of food-borne illness after eating at the establishment on Sept. 9. A food safety attorney also told Patch that three lawsuits have been filed against the Stony Brook business, with plaintiffs claiming they became sick days before the group of diners did.

The Suffolk County Health Department confirmed with Patch that the illness is believed to be connected to rice from the restaurant.

"The entire team at Kumo expresses its deepest regret and we apologize to those impacted by the recent situation at out restaurant," Kumo management said in a statement. "We understand the seriousness of the matter and we continue to cooperate with all parties to fully understand the cause."

Kumo added that the restaurant will refund any gift card balances upon request, and asked customers to reach out via email to kumojapanese@gmail.com with their gift card number. Kumo said that they will respond within 48 hours.

The restaurant also said several unrelated restaurants with Kumo in the name have "been negatively impacted by news reports."

"We wish to reiterate that there are no business connections between these operations and ours," Kumo said. "We hope the Long Island community will continue to support these establishments as you have supported us throughout the years."

Jory Lange, a food safety attorney representing several families that alleged they got food poisoning, told Patch this "wasn't just a one-day thing."

Lange's clients and a group of friends said they experienced projectile vomiting and diarrhea on Sept. 6 after eating at Kumo. Another client of Lange's said he got sick after eating take-out from the restaurant on Sept. 7. The first group called the restaurant to alert them on that Friday — the day before 28 others said they got sick.

Lange said the restaurant did not fix it, and told Patch the legal team representing the plaintiffs "hope to get to the bottom of what went wrong at Kumo to cause so many people to get food poisoning, and to get fair compensation for our clients."

Related articles:

• 2 Sickened Prior To Foodborne Illness Outbreak At LI Eatery: Attorney
• 28 People Sickened At Stony Brook Restaurant, 15 Violations Given