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Sushi and Sports Bar Concept Opening on Vernon Boulevard

S3 Sushi Soju Sports, opening at 47-34 Vernon Blvd.

Feb. 20, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez

A new restaurant that aims to offer something for the sports fan and foodie alike could open on Vernon Boulevard as soon as this weekend.

S3 Sushi, the name of the new 35-seat venue, is taking over the site at 47-34 Vernon Blvd, once occupied by Gizi Wine Cheese & Chocolate.

The sports bar and sushi eatery will mainly serve Japanese foods, Asian tapas, and other fusion items on site as two 65-inch televisions stream sports all day. Menu items include Korean tacos made with bulgogi beef, a variety of soups, salads, sushi, rolls, and desserts.

Like any other sports bar, S3 Sushi will offer a selection of beer, and wine, but will also offer custom cocktails made with soju—a clear, distilled alcohol from Korea.

Jae Junkunc, the owner of the restaurant, left an 11-year trek with Mass Mutual, the life insurance company, to work on her concept.

As an avid sports fan, Junkunc wanted a place where she could watch sports but have a variety of healthy options to choose from.

“I kind of wanted a place like this ten years ago,” Junkunc said. “But I didn’t start thinking of the details until a year ago.”

Long Island City was always in store for this venue, Junkunc said, given the neighborhood’s extraordinary growth and change and its need for sports bars.

S3 Sushi will have soft opening hours of 4 p.m. to midnight every day, and will open at 11 a.m. soon afterwards. Junkunc is still working to finalize some items before the locale opens, which could set the opening to early March.

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23 Comments

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Cil.rM

Best of luck!!! So long as we are talking about new places to eat…..LIC is in dire need of a dynamite sandwich shop and a killer breakfast place….There is so much overlap in the neighborhood. Its obviously a fairly homogeneous place and folks like what they like but having some culinary diversity would benefit all of us and maybe keep residents in the neighborhood instead of heading to BK, Astoria, or the City…..

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Anonymous

51st Bakery, Communitea, LIC corner cafe, all do really good breakfast sandwiches, and 51st and Communitea do a great lunch too.

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Alan

Well I been in that place and has not space for a kitchen I’m a beet concern about eating sushi Dangerous
Anyway someny dusky places already why can rent spaces to different kind of business

Good luck

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welcome change

I’m tired of having sports bros spill their Bud Light on me at a crowded sports bar. I look forward to having them spill their sake bombs on me instead.

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JGY

Cannot wait to get there; sounds like a great atmosphere and great people … and the menu sounds fun.

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Sara

Jae Junkunc is a major winner in everything she has done, from Peace Corps Volunteer to MBA star to successful businesswoman. If anyone can make a fabulous food and sports hangout work, this great gal can do it ! Go Jae!

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Patrick K.

So excited for this spot to open! Hilarious how wannabe critics tear into a place before the doors open, I guarantee they have never worked in nor have managed in the food service industry. Go eat at Chipotle and let the rest enjoy great food!

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Rockin&Roland

Its about having more of a variety. Just look around and tell me what the area is lacking? We dont really need more sushi places in general. If someone comes up with a great idea and concept that they feel strong about and feel the neighborhood will embrace then thats great. However this is not one and most will or should agree. I am not a critic nor do I eat at chipotle but I’m a resident of LIC since 09 and kind of tired of the same old wave of same type of food concepts that come into LIC and most of them are mediocre. One concept opens up and then another one or two similar ones open up within a year. My .02

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MRLIC

Should have made a combination sushi place and bowling alley called Maki Bowls. Think next time!

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Eli

Leave your pessimism out of here. This person has had the guts to leave their 9-5 and pursue a passion. Congrats Junkunc! Will check out yourplace soon!

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LICfly

Sushi at a sports bar just doesn’t sound appealing but will check the place out and hopefully be surprised. Also with any place that serves fresh food, you need high turnover. Hoping the place is busier than Gizi to allow that to happen. There’s a reason most bar food is stored frozen, then fried.

As a fan of LIC and I wish the owner the best and hope she adapts after seeing what is working/not working.

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Rockin&Roland

Why Why Why? I dont understand why this area is so focused on opening up all the same type of food places? Burgers, Italian / Pizza, Asian fusion, Mexican. how about a good butcher shop, better french bistros, better indian places or even a good Chinese take out place! we dont have anything. Enough already LIC

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Anonymous

Why do so many first-time business owners decide LIC is the place to open up shop? The space is way too small to be a sports bar. I wish them luck, and I will check it out, but I’m not very optimistic.

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Anonymous part deux

Agreed, way too small to be a sports bar, but best of luck to them. This concept seems odd as well. I can’t remember the last time friends and I were like “let’s go watch sports and have sushi soup!” (both of which are otherwise fine foods)

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