New Japanese Sushi Restaurant Opens On Fortville’s Main Street

Photographer / Belinda Russell

Main Street in Fortville is now home to a new sushi establishment. Formally Red Sake, Bonsai features new management and a new staff, but the same great sushi as its predecessor, and the same popular sushi chef, Dave Xiong.

“I was looking for new space,” says owner Tim Breunig, who originally opened Red Sake on Fall Creek Road in 2013. “We thought Main Street in Fortville has about every kind of food – American, Mexican, Chinese, Italian – but no Japanese sushi. So we thought this is the spot for us. We then found this great location – a unique, old building on Main Street with lots of character and a great history that many long-time residents of Fortville remember.”

The 120-year-old building was once home to the J.F. Drug store in the late 1800s until 1940. Coon’s Drug store moved in soon after and remained there until 1966.

“One local stopped in and told me how they remember the unique soda fountain at Coon’s when they were kids,” says Tim, who tracked down old photos at the local library to frame for the walls.

Tim also uncovered the building’s original hardwood floors, ornate ceiling tiles, and a brick wall completely wrapped in drywall that has since been taken down.

“It’s been a lot of fun uncovering its past,” Tim says of the building.

Tim says finding a new name is probably the best part of the Bonsai story so far.

“We had been kicking around a bunch of names,” he says. “Then my kids gave me a Bonsai tree for Father’s Day and I said, ‘That’s it.’”

The new Fortville sushi spot features some favorites from the former Red Sake menu such as the Phoenix roll, which includes spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, asparagus and seared scallops topped with a honey garlic sauce, and is set on fire.

The Waterfall roll with tempura shrimp and spicy crab topped with eel sauce and sweet wasabi is back, as well as the KFC roll with tempura chicken topped with dots of Sriracha sauce. Bonsai has also added a new twist to the menu – burgers.

“We noticed some families would order sushi, but there might be one that wanted something else,” Tim says. “So now diners can order an angus burger, a black bean or a turkey burger instead, but still dine with their family and friends.”

Bonsai also has a patio area along an alley in the back of the building, which Tim says will be great for summer dining and carry-out orders.

Bonsai is located at 18 South Main Street in Fortville. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more at bonsaifortville.com or call 317-505-9009.

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