Etsuo Sumida

Greatly enjoyed sumida restaurant many years ago. gracious people,fine cuisine, and top notch sushi.

My mother would always bring them fresh apples and pears from our orchard in Parkdale, in the upper Hood River Valley. They were always such gracious people.

I was greatly saddened to hear of Mr Sumida’s recent passing. It triggered so many memories of this wonderful man.

In the early days of my career, thanks to a Japanese/American friend of mine, he took me to one of, if not Portland first sushi restaurant, Sumida. From that day on for many years, I was was a frequent customer, won over by the incredibly high quality sushi and restaurant standards, but more by the warm and friendly demeanor of the man himself. One always felt...

I have many happy memories associated with Sumida's in the 80's and 90's. When my parents visited from Japan, we always had dinner there. About 25 years ago I sat next to Mr Sumida on a flight to Osaka and had a very nice conversation, since I have relatives in Okayama. RIP.

We remember fondly going to Sumida's restaurant on NE Sandy Blvd. Every time, we were greeted with a warm and friendly smile, before enjoying without a doubt the best sushi in Portland. We were so disappointed when the restaurant closed and have yet to find anyplace as good. Etsuo was a true gentleman as well as a gifted chef. We feel blessed to have enjoyed both his company and excellent food sitting at the sushi bar...it was a pleasure and a priviledge.