The owner of San Diego's expanding ramen empire Tajima is in the process of taking over the former Entrada space in the heart of Little Italy for a yet-to-be named Japanese izakaya bar and restaurant.
For the new Little Italy concept, tentatively referred to as Sprout 1953, Tajima chef/owner Isamu "Sam" Morikizono has teamed up with Cesar Vallin, the previous owner of now-defunct Prospect Bar & Grill in La Jolla, and Setaro Takashi, who owns more than 30 restaurants in Japan. The team will renovate the 7,500 square-foot space previously occupied by the short-lived Entrada at 1953 India Street in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood to install a modern Japanese izakaya pub with a traditional sushi bar. The restaurant is being designed by Rachelle Dominguez, Robert Hall and artist Shane Bowden.
Similar to Tajima, the food menu will feature a variety of ramen noodle soups in signature broths, as well as sushi rolls, rice bowls, and Japanese appetizers, as well as a full bar offering beer, wine, sake and craft cocktails. The currently-unamed restaurant is anticipated to open in September.
