San Francisco Is Getting a Whiskey-Soaked Japanese-Style Listening Bar and Restaurant From the Gozu Steakhouse Team

The workforce behind just one of San Francisco’s leading steakhouses has a new venture in the performs. Given that 2019, chef Marc Zimmerman has been searing steaks and breaking down full animals at Ittoryu Gozu, the significant-close Japanese steakhouse housed in a daring, contemporary room just off the Embarcadero. Now Zimmerman, tech entrepreneur Ben Jorgensen, and a group of Gozu alumni together with Chef de Delicacies Jessie Lugo will deliver a informal Japanese restaurant and bar to 545 Mission Street, about four blocks absent from Gozu.

Named Yokai, which usually means “spirit” in Japanese, the new restaurant is expected to open up in early 2023 and draws inspiration from Japanese listening bars. To comprehensive the right after-do the job vibes, strategies for the restaurant also consist of the set up of a classic McIntosh audio system to be complemented with an “extensive vinyl assortment.” ALM Design and style Studio will renovate the pre-Prohibition place, with its soaring ceilings and exposed brick.

A rendering of the Yokai dining room including a mezzanine.

Via press launch Zimmerman states he’s searching to Japanese soon after perform bars for inspiration on Yokai, which will aim on “Japanese whisky and cocktails as perfectly as brandies, cognacs and the budding Japanese gin scene.” On the meals facet, the coronary heart of the menu will be shareable plates and yakitori skewers cooked more than binchotan charcoal. Though Gozu’s meat-loving admirer foundation can count on large plates like a slow-roasted wagyu neck and lesser plates like coal-seared wagyu carpaccio, the menu will have fish and seafood alternatives — like steamed whole Japanese sea bream and King salmon belly skewers with matcha, buttermilk and dill — moreover veggies and create from Tenbrink Farms.

In addition to Chef de Delicacies Jessie Lugo, Zimmerman’s tapping numerous other Gozu skills for Yokai which include Beverage Director Jordan Abraham and Standard Manager Molly Mueller, equally of whom will break up time among the two places to eat.

Yokai, 545 Mission Avenue, is expected to open in early 2023.