Opened in 1978, Otani's is the first sushi bar in Cleveland. My father partnered with Kasashigi Honda to open Otani Japanese Restaurant and my family has basically been in the restaurant business ever since.

My mother (Janet) and I took over operations at Otani after my father passed in 1999. Since then, we have tried hard to make Otani better. I took time off to study cooking abroad in Italy. The need for more culinary experience sent me to The Maisonette in Cincy, and Jo An in Kentucky.

I literally grew up in Otani's and I feel as if the "regulars" are family. It's been an insane ride and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

...well, maybe like a billion dollars.