Inside the Japanese Cafe, Speakeasy, and Sushi Bar That Shares a Roof in the East Village | Eater San Diego

"I found Asa Bakery occupying the largest storefront on 14th Street in the former Melvin Brewing space, a sidewalk-facing cafe inspired by owner Ayaka Ito's hometown of Nagoya and its kissaten (coffee shop) culture. It offers coffee and espresso drinks plus matcha and hojicha lattes made with organic Japanese tea, while the in-house bakery turns out a wide range of Japanese breads and pastries — from melon pan to baguettes spread with mentaiko and various sozai pan (soft buns with savory fillings like sausage and pizza toppings). I learned from Ito that the menu will expand to include Japanese sandos and homestyle dishes like curry rice and omurice, and that the cafe will eventually serve coffee cocktails in the evening." - Candice Woo