Japanese Cafe and Sake Bar Cozies Up to Kensington | Eater San Diego

"I visited Tanuki, which recently opened in Kensington on Adams Avenue, and found it offers two distinct dining experiences: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday it operates as a Japanese tea house and café, and at 5:30 p.m. it transforms into a sake bar serving tapas-style plates. During the day it features a large assortment of carefully prepared tea and coffee drinks — from matcha lattes and house‑roasted hojicha tea sweetened with fresh green apple juice to cold brew and siphon coffee from local roaster OB Beans — and a lunch menu of sushi roll sets, poke bowls, salads and housemade pastries; its signature eclairs come flavored with cookie butter, coconut and more. The team aims to bring sake education to San Diego, eventually carrying about 100 mostly lesser-seen varieties showcased in pairings and tastings. With a chef who is an alum of Nobu San Diego, the dinner menu includes sashimi and sushi as well as inventive plates ranging from a caprese twist of tempura-style tomato, basil and tofu to whole grilled fish and Wagyu beef sukiyaki." - Candice Woo