Just about every year, the restlessly creative chef Junya Watanabe comes out with a new twist on his native Japanese cuisine at his restaurant headquarters on Convoy Street.
From 2012 to 2016, he was refining his ramen dishes at RakiRaki Ramen. Then he added a Japanese dessert side shop. In 2019, he opened The Yasai, a vegan sushi concept, on the other side of the building. In 2020, he launched late-night ramen takeout service, which was a big hit in during the pandemic. And last spring he introduced his own branded line of karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) there.
Watanabe’s latest brand expansion is Pure Sushi at Matsuoka, which is Tokyo-style kaiseki (multicourse meal) service created in partnership with sushi chef Hajime Matsuoka. It debuted on Aug. 9 at the Yasai location on Convoy Street, which is still serving its vegan sushi alongside Matsuoka’s creations. Watanabe said he has long wanted to open an authentic Tokyo-style shop but was waiting until he found the right chef.
“For the last 10 years, since opening RakiRaki, I’ve refreshed the menu every few months. And, while doing so, I imagined opening a sushi restaurant I can be proud of that’s akin to what I enjoy when traveling in Tokyo,” he said in a statement. “The best sushi restaurants are found in unassuming places (like) my little corner of Convoy was always the perfect place for Pure Sushi.”
Pure Sushi at Matsuoko serves a kaiseki menu featuring bento boxes filled with sushi rolls and nigiri made with fish flown in daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu market. One specialty is temari (bon-bon-shaped sushi balls), as well as tempura, grilled fruits, appetizers and matcha ice cream.
Pure Sushi at Matsuoka is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 9:30 p.m. daily at 4646 Convoy St., Suite 101-B, San Diego. Call (858) 240-1511 or visit matsuokasushi.com/menu/.
The dining room of Karina’s Cantina Gaslamp, seen from its second floor.
(Karina’s Group)
Karina’s Cantina opens in Gaslamp
San Diego’s Karina’s Group has taken over a two-story Gaslamp Quarter restaurant space this month to open its latest concept, Karina’s Cantina Gaslamp.
The 7,000-square-foot location at 755 Fifth Ave., formerly occupied by Tocaya Organica, features a full-service restaurant and bar, private dining room and meeting spaces, an outdoor patio, house and guest DJs and weekly live music. The new location will serve the Karina’s menu of ceviche, Mexican seafood and steaks along with new options like surf ‘n’ turf burritos and tacos, aguachile and more.
Karina’s Group was founded in 1981 by Arnulfo Contreras and his wife Maria Ines Curiel, who named their first restaurant in Spring Valley after their eldest daughter, Karina. Now in its second generation of family ownership, the company owns seafood, ceviche and taco restaurants as well as Savoie Italian Eatery, Taka Sushi and Saffron Thai.
Karina’s Cantina Gaslamp is open from noon to 10 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from noon to 2 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Closed Mondays. Brunch will be introduced soon. Visit karinasseafood.com.
Dishes at newly opened Hamburger Hut in Leucadia.
(Hamburger Hut)
Hamburger Hut opens in Leucadia
Hamburger Hut, a new quick-service burger outlet from the owners of Valentina, Moto Deli and Corner Pizza, has opened in Leucadia. Located in the former Hapfish Sushi location, it has a large outdoor seating area.
Chef Andrew Halvorson’s classic cheeseburger is a Wagyu beef-blend patty served on King Hawaiian roll with veggies and house “10,000" Island dressing. The menu also features shoestring and loaded fries, fish tacos, a vegan salad and more. Hamburger Hut is now open from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays at 190 N. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. Visit instagram.com/hamburger_hut/.
Starlite founder mourned
Matt Hoyt , the founding owner of 15-year-old Starlite gastropub and cocktail lounge in San Diego, passed away on Aug. 14 from a rare and aggressive disease that came on suddenly.
According to a post on the restaurant’s Instagram page, he died surrounded by family. Steve Poltz, a Nashville-based singer/songwriter who started his career in San Diego, was part-owner of Starlite. On Aug. 16, he wrote on Facebook that he visited with Hoyt — well-known in the restaurant as well as artistic community — at Starlite just a few weeks ago and found him in good health and spirits and was probably unaware he was sick at the time.
Starlite will carry on, with hours from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 3175 India St. in Middletown. Visit starlitesandiego.com.
Kragen writes about restaurants for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Email her at pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com.
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August 27, 2021 at 07:30PM
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Pure Sushi at Matsuoka on Convoy leads new August restaurant openings - The San Diego Union-Tribune
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