Lalu Dedi Sutanto, originally from Bali, is expanding his presence in Maine this month by opening a Japanese hibachi steakhouse in Newport. The new restaurant, Crazy Sumo 2, is set to open by the end of January. Sutanto, along with a new business partner, has transformed a building at 6 Main St. in Palmyra into a hibachi restaurant, complete with seven grills and a sushi bar.
Previously, Sutanto was one of three co-owners of Crazy Sumo in Ellsworth. However, he decided to embark on this new venture independently. In addition to this steakhouse, he also introduced a food truck, Ninja Japanese Express, located at 757 Stillwater Ave. in Old Town last year.
Originally from Bali, Indonesia, Sutanto moved to the United States in 2002. He has worked as a chef at various restaurants across the country, with a primary focus on Japanese cuisine. When he arrived in Maine in 2021, he was eager to share his passion for Japanese food, especially with the residents of Newport and its surrounding areas. Sutanto is excited about the new restaurant’s extensive selection of sushi rolls, made with fresh seafood he personally sources from Lamoine.
Sutanto views Newport as a strategic location, considering it a hub with a demand for Japanese cuisine. He believes that residents in the area should have easy access to such offerings without needing to travel to Bangor or Waterville.
To bring an authentic touch to the restaurant, Sutanto has recruited chefs from outside the state to join his kitchen. His journey in the restaurant industry began in Chicago, Illinois, where he built valuable connections.
The building that now houses Crazy Sumo 2 was previously occupied by Scotty’s and Pando, as per meeting minutes from the Newport Select Board. The board approved a liquor license for the establishment late last year.
Crazy Sumo 2 will be open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Sutanto and his team are currently preparing the space for the grand opening, and they plan to launch a website soon.
