7,500-Square-Foot High-End Japanese Restaurant May Land in Little Italy

Vacant for the last year, the 7,500-square-foot space on India Street that was the short-lived home of Entrada may be transformed into a new Japanese restaurant called Cloak + Petal. The former Mexican restaurant and bar moved into Little Italy in Fall 2015 after an extensive remodel which added a speakeasy behind its spacious dining room, but lasted a short six months.

Local broker James Pieri, Jr. of Gateway Financial Real Estate, who has been working to help grow the Tajima group of eateries, brought the site to the attention of the ramen shops’ owner/chef Isamu "Sam" Morikizono, who is partnering with industry vet Cesar Vallin (Prospect Bar, The Rooftop La Jolla) and Seitaro Takahashi, who owns 30 restaurants in Japan, on the new high-end Japanese restaurant and bar.

Modeled after social dining and drinking spaces called izakayas, Cloak + Petal will feature a traditional sushi bar and a menu of authentic Japanese appetizers and small plates. There will also be two full bars offering everything from craft cocktails to Japanese whiskey and sake, plus local craft and Japanese beers.

Designed by Rachelle Domingo Rogers, Robert Hall, Jennifer Hone and artist Shane Bowden, the restaurant’s former speakeasy space will likely function as a private room for special events and corporate parties, Though plans are still being finalized, Cloak + Petal is aiming to open in the last quarter of 2017.