Jim Myers

jtmyers@tennessean.com

He’s back! Though he never really left.

When Sam Katakura closed his popular Sam’s Sushi Bar last May, tears as salty as nori rolled down the cheeks of his loyal customers.

Unofficially called the “Sushi Nazi” for his outspoken direction on how and what to order, or who he would, or would not, serve, Katakura long-talked of returning to Tokyo. “I don’t want to die here,” he said after losing his downtown lease.

Instead, he stayed, and showed up one day this summer looking for work as a line cook in the kitchen of the new Acme Feed and Seed at First and Broad.

He was soon recognized and after a few discussions with owner Tom Morales and chef Matt Farley, they struck a deal to give Sam a corner of the second floor lounge in Acme.

“We're thrilled to have Sam in the house,” says Morales, adding, “We have made it a point to be a place for the locals, and since Sam is a hometown favorite amongst Nashvillians, it's a perfect fit.”

Sam’s new sushi bar will seat about 20 people, but guests can also order from the other second floor bars, or from servers while seated in the second floor lounge. For now, the hours are 5 - 10 p.m..

Reach Jim Myers at 615-259-8367 and on Twitter @ReadJimMyers.