We recently broke the news that the founder of San Diego's Tajima ramen empire had taken over the former Entrada space in Little Italy for a new concept. We now know that the eatery will be a bar and restaurant named Cloak & Petal Izakaya, specializing in traditional Japanese drinking fare and sushi.
"Cloak & Petal Izakaya is going to be social bar & dining concept with a Japanese menu," said co-owner and Tajima founder Isamu 'Sam' Morikizono. "It's basically an Izakaya menu and sushi bar, but we're planning to create a unique and high quality menu with a lot of organic ingredients. We like to categorize this 'new Japanese.'"
For Cloak & Petal, 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 - including designers Rachelle Dominguez, Robert Hall and artist Shane Bowden - is currently renovating the 7,500 square-foot space previously occupied by the short-lived Entrada at 1953 India Street in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.
Morikizono has clarified that the food menu will not feature ramen noodle soups, but will instead focus on drink-driven dishes like sushi rolls, rice bowls, tempuras, and Japanese appetizers to compliment the full bar offering beer, wine, sake and craft cocktails. Cloak & Petal is anticipated to open this September. Check out the artistic renderings below to see what to expect.
