Ichika Izakaya

On the Grid : Ichi & Ichi Kakiya

"Ichi, in some incarnation or another, has been a part of La Lengua & Bernal since 2006. We first encountered Timmy and his amazing sushi almost a decade ago, when he would wheel his little cart into the Knockout on Wednesday nights and make sushi until he ran out (FYI —The Knockout is an institution, and a great dive if you are in the area). The current version of Ichi is, in some ways, a million miles from their simpler beginnings. Ichi and Ni bar are situated in a beautiful, minimal space, with table seating and a lovely long bar, where you can watch your sushi being meticulously created. We strongly suggest Omakase service, where they will select your seafood for you, and keep bringing it out piece by piece until you are stuffed. Their sake is lovely, but if that is not your thing, they have Sapporo and Asahi on tap. Recently, owners Tim & Erin re-opened their previous super cute Ichi spot as Ichi Kakiya. They transformed the intimate space into a Japanese oyster shop and raw bar. And for the typography nerds out there—both spots feature intricate murals by super letterer Erik Marinovich, painted by New Bohemia Signs. Photography by Alanna Hale." - Strohl