Izakaya opening in SF

The Chronicle’s Inside Scoop reports:

[Vintage 415 has] signed a lease to take over the Yoshida-Ya space at 2909 Webster St. (at Union), just minutes from Mamacita. With the new restaurant, Mamacita chef Josi, who before that was a sous chef at Slanted Door (One Ferry Building), will revisit pan-Asian food with an izakaya — a Japanese-style beer hall that serves food.

…

They intend to separate the space into a lounge-like spot on the bottom with a sushi bar, snacks and street food with izakaya-style bench seating and tables. The upstairs will have more traditional table service with entrees.

“It will be Asian street food, but not fusion,” says Josi. “We want the dishes to be true to their cultural origins.”

I’m not sure how traditional “Asian street food” will fare in Cow Hollow, but here’s hoping. I’m looking forward to having an izakaya alternative to Hana Zen (fun, but inconsistent) and Tanto (excellent, but in San Jose).

via SFGate