Poke Go Bringing Hawaiian-Inspired Seafood to Hillcrest

A treasured tipster alerted us to the arrival of Poke Go in Hillcrest, which plans to open on 5th Avenue this coming Monday, August 17. Casual concepts centered around poke (pronounced "poh-kay") have been proliferating the Los Angeles and Orange County food landscape, and though some local restaurants offer the dish, this is San Diego's first poke-centric eatery.

Owner Chris Park, who used to own a seafood company, is serving the cubed raw fish — tuna or salmon to start — in three different flavor preparations, from traditional soy and sesame to kimchi seasoning and spicy mayo, which will available with brown or white steamed rice or a salad. The menu may be rounded out by house-smoked fish salad, made with salmon or local black cod, plus grilled yellowtail collars. Eventually, they'll offer other hot entrees, including Korean bulgogi and spicy pork. And a liquor license is in the works for beer and wine.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 pm. daily, Poke Go will have a few tables for dining-in but also hopes to do brisk takeout business. Park told Eater that he plans to open more San Diego locations.