LA-Based Sushi Roku Opens Its First Silicon Valley Restaurant in Palo Alto | Eater SF

"A glitzy new sushi restaurant is arriving in the heart of Silicon Valley later this month: Sushi Roku's first Northern California outpost will open at Stanford Shopping Center on Tuesday, April 30. Owned by Innovative Dining Group and led by chef Jason Shimizu (formerly of the Shota and Ozumo), the 4,500-square-foot, TAG Front Architects–designed space at 180 El Camino Real #700a features textured Japanese brick tile, an accoya wood screen, live edge walnut bar tops, and textured glass panels. The menu leans toward non-traditional Japanese fare — toro carpaccio, octopus crudo, and baked cod with sweet miso — alongside sashimi and nigiri and rolls such as the White Lotus (popcorn shrimp tempura, avocado, and asparagus topped with albacore, crispy onions, and wasabi truffle soy); there are also vegetarian and vegan choices like savory cauliflower with red date and pine nuts, plus carnivore options like bacon-wrapped shrimp and Jidori chicken with teriyaki glaze. A full bar will offer domestic and imported beers, sake, wine, and cocktails including the Ueshima Old Fashioned (espresso-washed WhistlePig rye, orange demerara syrup, and chocolate bitters) and the Sundown on Sunset (Monkey 47 gin, sake, blood orange, apricot brandy, and grapefruit bitters). Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. seven days a week, with lunch and happy hour to be added in the coming weeks; the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday." - Lauren Saria