Some details have been released about ~CHOTTO~, the modern izakaya that’s opening in the former Three Seasons space in the Marina. The 66-seat izakaya will serve a very authentic menu of small dishes (chotto means a “small unit of measure” in Japanese), which includes sushi (weekends only) using fish flown straight from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, kushiyaki (skewers grilled over charcoal), fried dishes, ramen, and sunomono (pickled) house-cured vegetables.
There will be a menu of rare, small-batch, specialty sake and shochu chosen by Seio Shimada (of World Sake Imports) and general manager Derek Hunter (Yoshi’s), who will oversee the beverage program—along with wine, and both domestic and Japanese specialty craft beer. There will additionally be some sake/shochu-based “cocktails” created by barman Todd Smith (previously Beretta, Bourbon & Branch).
The space (designed by Erin Altman) features elements like glossy white tile juxtaposed against rough, reclaimed barnyard wood walls—there will also be intricate, handcrafted Japanese paper art in the form of tiny kites and lanterns in the two private dining spaces. If all goes according to plan, Chotto will open its doors next Monday December 6th. I’ll have more details about the menu next Tuesday. 3317 Steiner St. at Chesnut, 415-441-2223.
