A report by Dana Eastland. CHAYA BRASSERIE on the Embarcadero has remodeled their dining room and added a second bar, and I had a chance to check it out a couple of weeks ago. They’ve also just put their spring menu on rotation; let’s take a look, shall we?
First, the new bar. The space has two dining rooms, and the larger one also includes the main bar and entrance. The smaller dining room, called the Bay Bridge Room for its unbeatable view, hosts the new, smaller bar. The new space will be a place for those waiting for tables, or those looking for a quieter place for a drink, since the front bar can get quite boisterous. It will also be available for private happy hour events, so if you’ve got a co-worker with a birthday or something to celebrate with friends, it’s an excellent place to have a bar space (and a bartender) to yourselves, while still participating in a fun scene. And because their happy hour menu and $7 cocktails are available all night in the bar area, it should be a fun spot all evening long.
They’ve also got lots of ways for groups to dine. The Kaisen platter is gorgeous, brimming with chilled seafood that changes regularly depending on what’s freshest. There are oysters, three different kinds of sashimi, and ceviche, to name just a few of the choices. Everything is served with Japanese-style accompaniments, including a seasoned, aged black vinegar. The menu also includes seasonal sushi rolls that extend beyond seafood, such as a house-smoked duck breast roll.
Happy hour begins at 4pm and continues until closing, every day. Hours are lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, dinner Mon-Wed 5:30pm-10pm, Thu-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm, Sun 5:30pm-9pm. Bar is open Mon-Wed 11:30am-11pm, Thu-Fri 11:30am-11:30pm, Sat 5pm-11:30pm, Sun 5pm-10pm. 132 The Embarcadero at Mission, 415-777-8688.
The new Bay Bridge Room bar at Chaya. Photo courtesy Chaya.
