December 5, 2018
After 4 years in business on the same block as Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, Izakaya Pacific Beach has shuttered, but the owners have plans to revive the concept in Mission Beach in 2019.
After working at San Diego's NOBU for many years, including under master sushi chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa himself, chef brothers Ray & Jun Agishi broke off on their own in 2014 to open Izakaya Pacific Beach in the coveted space adjacent to Crystal Pier. The menu at Izakaya PB was based around ramen noodle soups and sushi, but also included a rotating collection of traditional and modern Japanese dishes, as well as Asahi beer on draft exclusively from Japan and an array of sake.
We spoke to Ray Agishi who confirmed that he and his brother were moving their restaurant to Mission Beach, taking over the space at  3861 Mission Boulevard currently occupied by Arslan's Gyro. The brothers are hoping to sell their current liquor license and apply for a new one in MB. Those interested in discussing should shoot us an email. They are currently deciding on whether to keep their name or change it and whether they will make any alterations to the menu when they reopen. They have teased at the idea of offering a secret menu gyro in order to honor the former tenant of the space. There is no new tenant in place for the space at 4516 Mission Blvd., Suite #E, in Pacific Beach although we have heard that Tajima ownership has looked at it.
For more information about Izakaya Pacific Beach, visit izakayapb.com.
