Islands Hawaiian Grill officially opens in Batavia at 11:00a.m. today.
The new restaurant, located at 60 Main street, will offer Hawaiian and Japanese comfort foods and soon a Saturday and Sunday brunch.
Kourtney and Caitlin Kunichika decided to follow their passion for the hospitality and food industry and jump into the restaurant business.
“Growing up I ate a lot of Hawaiian and Japanese food in Huntington Beach, California and I couldn’t find it whenever I wanted it here, so I decided I like doing this so I might as well go for it while I’m young and try and do something I love,” says Kourtney.
Kourtney, 27, and Caitlin, 29, who is from Batavia, met while playing on the Rochester Edge hockey team. Kourtney, after finishing up her college hockey career at RIT, wanted to continue to play.
When the Buffalo Beauts launched in the first professional women’s paid hockey league, Kourtney tried out and made the team playing as a center/winger.
During her three years playing professional, Kourtney needed extra income so she worked at Tully’s and Bourbon and Burger and grew a passion for the service and hospitality industry.
Caitlin now commutes and is a teacher in Rochester.
Last year the couple married and Kourtney has retired from playing hockey.
“Playing hockey and working in the restaurant business I found a new passion, even though I love hockey, its a chapter that is closing now for me. Its bittersweet, but I really love food service.”
The restaurant employs about 20 people and is looking forward to their bar opening which will offer a large list of specialty drinks until 2:00 a.m. A late night menu will be available after 10:00p.m.
For more information on hours and the restaurant visit The Islands Hawaiian Grill website at https://www.islandshawaiiangrill.com
Also on Facebook and Instagram, Islands Hawaiian Grill.
Good luck ladies! Thank you for bringing a restaurant with a different culinary fare to Batavia. I can’t wait to try it. I wish you both all the best.
Congratulations Ladies and good luck with the restaurant. I promise to come and eat soon.
The food is absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend!!!