Masu specializes in sustainably caught fish 

by Dan Holland

Valor Acres welcomed its newest culinary tenant Nov. 19 with the opening of Masu by Dante Boccuzzi. The business combines a full-service sushi restaurant with a quick-serve poke bowl concept.

Chef and co-owner Jacob McDaniel, who dates back to the early days of Dante in Tremont, will lead the new venture.

“I started with Dante in 2009 shortly after it opened,” explained McDaniel. “I’m originally from Houston, Texas, and I had met a Clevelander in New York City when I was going to culinary school, and he helped get me a job with Dante not long after we graduated. With the exception of a couple of years when I went home or studied abroad, I’ve only worked for Dante in Cleveland.”

Specializing in sustainably caught fish, the restaurant is certified by both the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

“We are the first restaurant in Ohio – and maybe fifth in the nation – to receive the certifications from both of those institutions to be able to advertise, promote and certify that our fish can be traced back to the water,” said McDaniel. 

A big feature of the new business is providing clients with an open view of the dry-aged fish and a full view of all chefs as they work.

Dinner menu items fall under the categories of nigiri or sashimi, gunkan sushi, otsumami, specialty nigiri, traditional maki, house maki, oshizushi, bento and dessert options.

Initially open for dinner only, McDaniel anticipates making available a number of quick pick-up lunch items beginning in late December. 

“Built into the storefront, hidden from the main dining room, will be a grab-and-go concept similar to what you might find at Chipotle or Subway; a walk-in and build your own poke bowl, or you can order rolls and certain appetizers,” explained McDaniel. “It will all be in to-go boxes for a business crowd or Uber Eats if you want to order it from home and pick it up.”

In a survey of local residents as to what type of restaurants they would like to see at Valor Acres, a high-end sushi restaurant came out near the top, said McDaniel.

“This brings some of the best sushi in all of Ohio to Brecksville,” said McDaniel. “I think Dante and the folks at Valor Acres – the DiGeronimo’s – have created something that Brecksville can boast as being one of the best places in the state to find fish or sushi. It also introduces to the community – to anyone who might be hesitant – a gateway into a healthier way of eating if they’re tired of fast food or heavy meat-laden options.”

Customer response has been overwhelmingly positive so far according to General Manger Scott Grdina.

“It’s been a great response so far; people are loving the food and we’ve been busy every night with reservations,” said Grdina. “The sushi bar has been nice for walk-ins as well.”“We bring something unique to the area; fresh fish that is flown in a couple times a week and high-end really good sushi,” he continued. “We’ve got good Nigiri fish; also rolls, too. We offer a wide spectrum, so, if you’re not familiar with sushi and just getting into it, we have some good options to start out with, and then you can branch out from there.” 

Photo caption: Chef Jacob McDaniel says all of the fish served at Masu can be traced back to its water source. Photo by Dan Holland.