If you’ve had a chance to visit Hotel Nikko’s in-house Japanese-California fusion restaurant, Kanpai Sushi Lounge, you should know it just got even better. Just in time for the new year, a time of celebration, Kanpai will be releasing its updated menu this week, featuring all-new delicious drinks.
A Menu Full of Cheers
Whether Kanpai Sushi Lounge is your go-to spot to gather or you’re in from out of town, the new menu at Hotel Nikko’s premier culinary destination is the result of a partnership with William Tsui, a celebrated mixologist and the owner of Viridian Bar in Oakland.
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“First-time visitors will discover a hidden gem inside Hotel Nikko, a place where modern Japanese flavors meet San Francisco style,” said Jason Ngo, Director of Commercial Strategy for Hotel Nikko. “For returning guests, this refresh is about refinement, everything you already enjoy, just taken up a notch.”
Kanpai’s original drink menu featured nine signature cocktails, giving guests options like the bright and citrusy Pear Bloom and the bubbly Yuzu Sour, a Japanese take on the whiskey sour. Additionally, the menu offered two mocktails — the Pineapple Bay and the Blackberry Limeaid — as well as eight different wines by the glass and five sake options, all available in 5-ounce or 10-ounce sizes.
So, what exactly is changing?
The drinks on the new menu balance craftsmanship and creativity, and can either be paired beautifully with sushi or stand alone as experiences of their own.
This one-of-a-kind experience, conveniently crafted during the most cheerful time of the year, might look like a table surrounded by friends, each drinking the J-Town Peach Plaza cocktail — a frothy combination of Toki Black, Giffard Creme De Peche, house-made Peach Calpico syrup, lemon, and egg white topped with an edible flower.
Instead, maybe it looks like a much-needed date night over a refreshing Pier 39 (mezcal, aloe and seaweed liqueurs, cucumber, mint, jalapeño and lime) and Painted Ladies (Roku gin, creme de cassis, Choya Yuzu, Ramos mix, lemon, egg white and soda water).
No matter the occasion — or your preferred flavor profile — you’ll find something to love.
‘The Right Time to Evolve’
While the updated menu is an exciting enhancement to Kanpai Sushi Lounge, the restaurant is still new itself. Kanpai opened its doors in May, welcoming guests to a sophisticated yet social environment that inspires connection.
Hotel Nikko strives to be in a continuous state of improvement and growth, reflecting the Japanese philosophy of “Kaizen.”
Kanpai was an enhancement to the luxurious Hotel Nikko, joining forces with the hotel’s award-winning restaurant ANZU. And with nearly seven months of business under its belt, the restaurant was ready for an upgrade, according to Ngo.
“As Kanpai has become a favorite among both locals and hotel guests, it felt like the right time to evolve,” Ngo said. “We wanted to build on that success by introducing a menu that feels even more intentional, something that celebrates our culinary team’s creativity while staying true to what people already love about Kanpai.”
A Place to Connect and Unwind
There’s nothing quite like trying something new with your favorite people. With its updated menu, relaxed atmosphere, and perfect proximity to San Francisco’s best nightlife, there’s no spot better than Kanpai.
According to Ngo, Kanpai isn’t debuting its menu quietly. To celebrate its arrival, he said guests can expect the restaurant to hold special tastings and feature limited-time offerings. What better way to spend the night, whether it’s just beginning or coming to a close?
Additionally, the hotel also includes Feinstein’s at the Nikko, one of San Francisco’s top nightclubs. Feinstein’s hosts a wide range of musicians, from nationally acclaimed performers to up-and-coming acts. It’s also a must-visit spot not only at Hotel Nikko but in San Francisco as a whole. Kanpai serves as the perfect complement to a night of entertainment, whether you venture to Feinstein’s or make your way around Union Square.
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“Kanpai has always been about connection, an intimate, energetic space where guests can unwind, enjoy beautifully crafted sushi, and sip inventive cocktails in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting,” Ngo said. “With the new menu, that same welcoming atmosphere will remain, but the offerings will be more considered and elevated, a reflection of Kanpai’s growth and our desire to continually enhance the experience for our guests.”
To explore more of Kanpai Sushi Lounge’s new menu — and maybe even plan your order ahead of time — head to the restaurant’s website. Kanpai is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday.
Your perfect night out starts by reserving a table and trying something new — and definitely delicious — at Kanpai!