While I was taking my week off from writing tablehopper, Joseph Manzare’s HECHO opened last week in the former Midi space. The concept is Japanese, based around edomai sushi (authentic Tokyo Bay-style sushi) and robata (grilled) dishes. Menu items include a variety of small plates, yakimono (most are $3-$4 per skewer), and a nice selection of nigiri that you can order one at a time (so don’t think those prices include two). You can check out the soft opening menu here. The executive chef is Masaki Sasaki, most recently (and very briefly) at 2G Japanese Brasserie—he has also worked at Kantaro, Sebo, and the St. Regis.
The other hook: tequila. Yup, primarily small-batch tequilas, which you can drink neat, or in a cocktail. General manager Jon Shikuma (from Mori Sushi in LA) has selected a variety of sakes for those who don’t want to go there, including some “one cup” sakes in a can. Uli Zinnkann of Zack/de Vito designed the two-level, 120-seat space, featuring a tequila elm bar, and a 10-seat cypress sushi bar on the street level (plus an in-kitchen sushi bar that seats 6). Upstairs, there’s a dining room that includes a 16-seat communal table, and a private room. Breakfast served Mon-Fri 7am-10:30am, lunch 10:30am-2pm, dinner Mon-Wed 5pm-10pm and Thu-Sat 5pm-12am, closed Sunday evenings. Weekend brunch is Sat-Sun 7am-1pm. 185 Sutter St. at Kearny, 415-835-6400.
Bar at Hecho. Photo by Naseema Khan.
