Mita Aki, located at 46 Main St. in Port Washington, has been in business, serving Long Island residents since 2012.  It boasts a rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars from its reviews and has an extensive menu with a variety of foods for sit-down, take-out, and delivery.  The restaurant has recently reopened under new ownership, and its menu and seating has expanded tremendously.  In a nod to its recent rebranding, the restaurant has changed its name to “Mita Aki.” 

Originally, the restaurant opened under the name “Aki,” primarily serving quintessential Japanese foods, such as sushi, sashimi, and bento boxes.  Under new management, they have diversified their menu to include other cuisines, especially Chinese-style dishes.  Mita Aki now provides an Asian-fusion option and also offers a tasting menu, ranging from $58 to $88, depending on the chosen combination.

“Something I like about Port Washington is how there are a variety of Asian cuisines that I can enjoy.  I really love Japanese and Chinese food, and it’s so cool that I can now go to Aki to eat both of those cuisines,” said junior Rianna Baecher.

Many of these added Chinese dishes are prepared in a Szechuan cooking style.  This is a type of Chinese cuisine from the Sichuan Province in China, characterized by dominant flavors and heavy additions of garlic, oil, and Sichuan pepper.  The style distinguishes itself due to the spices added, including star anise and cracked peppercorns.  Some of the most revered Szechuan styles dishes that Mita Aki now offers are Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐), Kung Pao Chicken (宮保雞丁), and Spicy Szechuan Wontons (紅油炒手).

“The hot plates here are really amazing!  The Szechuan cuisine here is a must-try.  So glad we have a legit Chinese food place in Port Washington now!” said Google reviewer Jerry Huang.

The new management has not only expanded their menu, but has also redone their space.  In contrast to the previous layout, the current one has been recently renovated and can accommodate larger groups with more seating availability.  One new addition to the restaurant includes dimmed lighting accented with variations of fairy lights, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.

Ambiance and aesthetics were not the central aspects the restaurant took into consideration while renovating but they also prioritized the rising COVID-19 numbers.  With a larger restaurant and more seating, it is easier to eat in a socially distant manner, thus fulfilling the spacing mandates set in restaurants.

“It’s nice that some restaurants in Port Washington are taking COVID-19 into consideration in their floor plans;  it makes me and my family and friends feel more safe and comfortable eating out.  I really like the new look of Mita Aki and the new COVID-aware seating,” said junior Carly Fanous.

Although Mita Aki has been on Main Street for the past ten years, the new renovations to the menu and restaurant have made it feel brand new.  Their expansive menu, which incorporates multiple cuisines has breathed new life into a restaurant that already had a fanbase.  Those who wish to enjoy the new dishes can either have the food delivered via their website or can visit their location between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on most days.