We have previously covered details in a hardhat piece of ROKA AKOR, the new modern Japanese robata restaurant that just opened in Jackson Square (in the former Cypress Club, for you fellow old-timers). Here are a few more details for you: the opening menu is online, featuring a wide range of Japanese-inspired dishes with local ingredients. I’m looking forward to trying dishes from chef Roman Petry, like the Mendocino uni with lime, daikon sprouts, and chicharrones; lobster and abalone miso soup; Wagyu beef and kimchi dumplings; and Madagascan tiger prawn (er, not local, heh) with yuzu koshu chile and lemon. There are also prime steaks, plus nigiri sushi and maki rolls, and the lunch menu has some specials too. There is a robata-driven bar menu served late, like Japanese-style fried chicken with smoked aioli.
You’ll also find a creative beverage program from the talented Daniel Hyatt (including infused shochus, top-notch whiskeys, and of course his one-of-a-kind cocktails—check ‘em out here), desserts from pastry chef Alexander Ruiz (Redd and Redd Wood), and Kiet Le (Luce) is the GM.
To recap, design firm Arcanum Architecture is behind the modern look, including the robata grill encircled by a shou-sugi-ban counter made of charred birch wood finished by hand, and Concrete Works created the concrete art wall inspired by the bamboo forests of Kyoto in the dining room.
Hours are lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm; dinner Sun-Thu 5:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11pm. The Roka bar hours are Mon-Thu 3:30pm-12am, Fri 3:30pm-2am, Sat 5pm-2am, Sun 5pm-12am. 801 Montgomery St. at Jackson, 415-362-8887.
The dining room. Photo by Aubrie Pick.
