Hearing on Newport Beach restaurant allegations postponed

The Newport Beach Planning commission postponed a hearing over whether to revoke a use permit for a popular sushi restaurant after undercover police officer reportedly observed patrons drinking and using drugs in the parking lot of the restaurant.

The sushi lounge is licensed as a restaurant, but a Newport Beach Police investigation found evidence the establishment has been promoting itself as a nightclub, according to Planning Commission documents.

John Shahidi, a Mission Viejo businessman, said Friday he was in talks with the owners of Fury Rok & Rol Sushi Lounge, 4221 Dolphin Striker Way, to purchase the popular eatery. Shadidi said he planned to meet with city officials and address their concerns over drinking and overcrowding at the restaurant. The sale could be jeopardized if the restaurant loses its permits, he said.

“It just wouldn’t be worth our while,” Shahidi said. “The hardest part of opening a restaurant is getting the permits. If we buy it, we are not going to tolerate any state or city violations.”

Attorney Stephen Jamieson, acting on the restaurant’s behalf, requested the planning commission postpone the hearing late Thursday night because it did not have enough time to respond to police allegations of illicit activity in connection to Fury.

Undercover Newport Beach police officers visited the restaurant in January and reported observing Fury patrons possibly using illegal drugs, drinking out of plastic cups and urinating and vomiting in the parking lot, according to a Planning Commission staff report.

A police investigation alleges Fury advertised dancing on the social networking website MySpace.com and also has used the services of nightclub promoters. The restaurant is authorized to serve alcohol, but it would need a different permit to operate as a nightclub.

Police officers also have reported a high number of arrests of Fury patrons in the area for driving under the influence, according to police reports to the planning commission. The restaurant was shut down one night in January and cited for overcrowding, according to a police report. Officers counted more than 500 people inside the establishment after midnight Jan. 26 although its maximum occupancy is listed as 297, according to the report.

A new date for the hearing has not yet been set.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.