Rice Boxx Asian Cuisine, scheduled to open by early January, will be the second restaurant to open in as many months in the Rivermont Shopping Center on Hixson Pike.
Restaurateur Kobe Dong's previous restaurant experience is vast, having been in the United States for 20 years, owning eateries in New York, Ohio and Georgia. But three years ago, his life took a different turn, returning him to his mother's homeland, Japan, and his father's, China, where he spent his time furthering his culinary education.
"I was learning to find my way," he said, explaining that during these years, he learned more about reaching out to his clientele and realizing their needs, including value in a casually elegant atmosphere.
"My prices are very good," he said, adding that he's conscious of the economy. Most items on the menu are in the $6-$8 range.
Rice Boxx is a restaurant offering three cuisines as well as fusions of all three. Sushi, hibachi and maki represent his Japanese heritage, while wok entrees such as Ma Pa Tofu, Mongolian chicken and Kung Pao relate to his childhood in China.
"I have many friends from Thailand who have also taught me many things," he said. Thai curries, pad Thai and more are also on the menu. Beer, wine and sake will be offered, as well.
The restaurant is surprisingly large -- 2,800 square feet.
"People won't realize how large it is until they come in," Dong said. Rice Boxx, beside Jet's Pizza, wraps around the back of the pizzeria. The dining area will boast tables and booths, with a center area focusing on a sushi bar. There's also a private party room for 10 people offering a more intimate dining experience. The kitchen is open to the dining room.
Friendship brought Dong to Chattanooga, but memories of his hometown sealed his future in the Scenic City.
"I came here to visit friends and fell in love with the city," he said. "It's so beautiful and reminds me of my home in China [Huzhan]. Now I plan to open four of five more of these restaurants in Chattanooga."
Tony Brock, property manager and leasing agent for the Raines Group, said the new diversity of restaurants in the Rivermont Shopping Center is positive for the area.
"It's a good location for restaurants like the Rice Boxx," he said. "It's strategically located and expands the opportunity for people in the area to get good Asian cuisine. It should really generate some traffic. Their menu items are very competitive price-point wise.
"We've been aggressive about leasing this space and have been lucky to get these two restaurants [Rice Boxx and Jet's Pizza] as their first locations in Chattanooga."
On the menu
Rice Boxx will feature dozens of dishes of three cuisines: Chinese, Japanese and Thai including:
* Thai curries with choice of meat or seafood
* Seaweed salad
* Sushi and sashimi for two
* Tuna Tataki
* Pad Thai
* Hibachi shrimp and steak
* Thai style basil
* General Tso's chicken
* Moo Goo Gai Pan
* Hibachi fried rice with choice of meats
* Kids menu
* Healthy steamed options