Coffee Bar By Day, Sake Bar and Japanese Eatery By Night Coming to Kensington

The community of Kensington will soon have a Japanese dinner spot to call its own that will also function as a daytime cafe. Named Tanuki after a type of mischievous Japanese raccoon dog that features prominently in ancient folklore, the multi-purpose restaurant will be a coffee bar by day and a sake bar and eatery by night.

The Adams Avenue space, which includes a small wrap-around patio and dedicated parking spaces, has been empty since it was vacated by wine bar Kensington Vine. Chef/owner Yutaka Ishii plans to launch Tanuki in April, offering a daytime menu of coffee and matcha tea and an evening menu that will range from a variety of sushi options and Wagyu beef dishes to a selection of more than 100 types of sake. Ishii was formerly a chef at upscale sushi bar Nobu San Diego in the Gaslamp’s Hard Rock Hotel.

Location Matters’ Mike Spilky represented the tenant in this transaction.