In keeping with the theme of Peru and Japan, the owners sought to bring elements of both into the decor. The open, street-facing patio is more lush and filled with plants, representing the Peruvian rainforests with its greenery. Inside, diners are transported into a night market, with neon lights, artwork depicting lively business signage in Japan, and paper umbrellas that hang from the ceiling. It’s a different look than that of the space that launched in 2018, but the moodier feel is more fitting, especially given the restaurant’s ambitions to become a destination cocktail lounge after the kitchen closes.
The cocktail menu from Danny Louie is a playful one, incorporating fresh produce into many of the drinks. The Orenji ($19) is a good one to start with, especially for those with a soft spot for Orange Julius, as this drink mixes fresh orange juice with condensed milk and vanilla syrup for that hit of mall nostalgia, with rum as the base. The Chuhai ($19) is made with basil, green apple, honey, coconut, and lime, with Japanese whisky; the green apple and lime give the drink a tart flavor that’s balanced by the coconut and honey.
Also on the menu is a selection of beers that skew more toward imports such as Hitachino and Yoho Brewing Company, with a few outliers like locally owned Fort Point and a Cusqueña lager that’s made in Peru. There is also sake from Japan and a wine selection that spans European growers and California.
For nonalcoholic options, there are three options to choose from, along with two mixed matcha beverages that should catch the eye of any matcha stans. The Kukki ($11) is a fun and unusual one, where matcha gets an unlikely pairing with pineapple juice, Oreo milk, and vanilla syrup.
If the two dessert options (bread pudding and creme brulee) don’t speak to you, hiding in plain sight on the bar menu are the restaurant’s soft serve options. It’s likely there because there are five alcohol-included flavors (rum, coconut, passionfruit, cream, or matcha, all $16 each) and two nonalcoholic options (matcha or vanilla, $8 each). Share it with a friend, and make sure to appreciate the homemade waffle cone, which is a really nice touch for the soft serve.