The owner of San Diego's expanding ramen empire, Tajima, who also opened Cloak & Petal in Little Italy at the end of 2017, has taken over the former Cafe Choe space in San Diego's East Village for a modern Japanese steakhouse, burger bar and restaurant that will be mostly standing-only.
Well before San Diego became inundated with ramen eateries, Isamu "Sam" Morikizono was a pioneer with the opening of his first Tajima location in Kearny Mesa in 2001. Now, Tajima boasts five San Diego branches, one in Long Beach, and another two outposts in Tijuana. In 2017, Morikizono teamed up with Cesar Vallin, the previous owner of now-defunct Prospect Bar & Grill in La Jolla, and Setaro Takashi, who operates more than 30 restaurants in Japan, to transform the 7,500 square-foot space previously occupied by the short-lived Entrada in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood into what is now Cloak & Petal.
There is not all that much information yet on Morikizono's definitive plans for the former Cafe Chloe location, but rumors are swirling that it will be a modern steakhouse modeled after the quick-service varieties taking Japan (and NYC) by storm where patrons order their cuts of meat by weight and eat while standing at communal tables. The restaurant will also offer a menu of upscale burgers. Word on the street is that Morikizono will be operating the eatery independently of his other restaurants and that it will be a completely new concept. It is anticipated to open by spring 2019. Rest assured, we'll let our readers know when we learn more.
