Emmy award-winning TV personality, actor, and veteran restaurateur Billy Dec is opening Sunda New Asian’s newest location in The District Detroit at 33 W. Columbia St. on March 10 at 7 p.m.
Columbia Street is The District Detroit’s pedestrian-friendly walkway located between the historic Fox Theatre and Little Caesars World Headquarters, and across Woodward Avenue from Comerica Park.
The Sunda New Asian restaurant joins locations in Chicago’s Fulton Market and River North, along with Tampa and Nashville.
Founded in 2009, Sunda offers modern New Asian cuisine from Japan, China, and other Southeast Asian countries, and elevates it with upgraded ingredients, cooking techniques, service standards, and presentation.
Inspired by decades of travel throughout Southeast Asia to visit family, Sunda New Asian is a deeply personal vision for Dec, who is on a mission to celebrate and share Southeast Asian cultural and culinary experiences he grew up loving.
Pampanga-born Culinary Director Mike Morales and Tokyo native Head Sushi Chef Ise Matsunobu create sushi bar selections, dim sum, noodle, and rice dishes along with premium seafood, pork, beef, and poultry New Asian Creations.
The Sunda team also offers seasonally inspired craft cocktails, curated premium sakes, Asian beers, Japanese whiskies, and an eclectic wine selection.
Guests at the new Sunda Detroit at 33 W. Columbia St. location can enjoy many of the dishes from the original Chicago location, including Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Oxtail Potstickers, Baked Crab Handrolls, 3lb Japanese Wagyu Tomahawk Steak, Miso Glazed Sea Bass, and more.
Named “Best Asian Cuisine” by USA Today, the concept has garnered a devoted fan base among celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama, Ben Stiller, Michael Jordan, Ariana Grande, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba, and more, according to the restaurant.
“We’re bringing an incredibly meaningful experience rooted in Southeast Asian culture, connection, and culinary innovation,” says Dec, founder and CEO of Sunda New Asian. “For years, we’ve felt so much love from Michigan guests at our Chicago locations, that we are excited to serve them in their own hometown.
“We see Detroit not only as a city on the rise but as a place ready to set the tone nationally. We’re proud to grow with it, contribute to it, and be inspired by it.”
The design of Sunda Detroit blends the vibrant spirit of Tokyo street style with the warmth of Modern Southeast Asian craftsmanship.
Designed by Studio K and brought to life by McIntosh Poris Associates in Birmingham and Sachse Construction in Detroit, the 6,000-square-foot space features sculptural dark wood host stands, oversized capiz shell lighting above the sushi bar, and a resin flower art installation over the island bar inspired by Japanese Cherry Blossoms meets Michigan Apple Blossoms.
Other features include honey-toned wood furniture, botanical wallcoverings, a sake display wall add depth, and playful nods to Tokyo’s urban art scene like a wheat paste-inspired bar front.
The restaurant offers more than 200 seats, including a 1,400-square-foot patio.
Columbia Street also is home to Frita Batidos, JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Sahara Restaurant and Grill, Pingree Detroit, Union Assembly, and Mom’s Spaghetti. Olympia Development, which manages the District Detroit, is part of the Ilitch Companies family of businesses.
Reservations for Sunda Detroit are now live on OpenTable, with bookings available for the restaurant’s first two months of service. Guests are encouraged to make reservations in advance of the highly anticipated opening.
Dec is a two-time Emmy Award Winning TV Personality, Actor, Attorney, and serial Entrepreneur. In addition to Sunda, Dec is founder and CEO of Global Advertising Agency COACT. Dec can regularly be seen on NBC’s TODAY Show, acting in films, and on TV shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Chicago Fire.”
For more information, visit SundaNewAsian.com.