NORTH SMITHFIELD – A popular Japanese fusion restaurant celebrated the grand opening of a second location in North Smithfield this week while nearby, volunteers made improvements to trails in a conservation area with the help of a small grant.
Ichiraku Ramen and Fusion held a soft opening of the new restaurant at Dowling Village in late July, and invited local officials to the business on Thursday, Sept. 12 to enjoy a taste of menu items and celebrate with live entertainment.
Owner Zi Ken or, “Kenny,” Zhang of Cranston opened the restaurant’s first location in Smithfield in 2020, and began leasing a building at 44 Dowling Village previously occupied by Denny’s restaurant last year. Zhang’s team has since been hard at work renovating the property.
Meanwhile, just around the corner at a property maintained by the North Smithfield Land Trust, volunteers noted completion of trail improvements.
Three new benches and signage were installed along the trail at the Booth Pond Conservation Area with the help of a small grant.
The conservation area, opened to the public in 2020, encompasses a 40-acre forest behind the commercial center, which connects to a 92-acre parcel also kept as open space owned by the city of Woonsocket.
On Thursday, the celebration at Ichiraku kicked off with a performance of the lion dance, followed by an official ribbon-cutting.
Ichiraku is known for a menu that features a wide range of options including ramen noodles, sushi rolls, yaki noodles, poke bowls, hibachi dishes, and desserts.
The Land Trust – a private, non-profit corporation whose function is to preserve and protect land in the town of North Smithfield, also maintains a 22-acre lot on Rocky Hill Road, 17 acres on Mattity Road and 42 acres at Village Way. Land trust officials noted this week that they are always interested in finding volunteers to help care for the properties.
Editor’s note: Photos were provided by Land Trust member Carol Ayala and Town Councilor John Beauregard.
I really like how all the people dressed up!
And then submitted their own pictures.
Lol! I was thinking the same! JB sure went all out! All in fun! Cannot wait to try this food!
I did not expect to be front and center with the ribbon cutting. As far as giving Sandy the photos? I like to help. And yes, the food was great.
You have time to email her, but not me? That’s cool. Where my apology as well?