CB1’s Licensing Committee agenda shows that an applicant named Ajisai is aiming for the Tokyo Bay space at 183 Duane, and I have to guess that it is the same Ajisai in Midtown. (The photo of their space even kind of looks like Tokyo Bay…)

The uptown Ajisai — on Ninth between 43 and 44 — calls itself Japanese fusion, and the menu looks like just that: there’s the usual sushi offerings, special rolls and udon, but also Japanese fried rice, pork buns, tuna in crispy wontons, General Tso’s chicken.

They call Japanese fusion “the new comfort food.” Can’t argue with that.

I haven’t been able to reach them yet but will update this post when I do.