Joshu-ya Brasserie: A Berkeley Fave Gets an Izakaya Makeover

New chef-owner Jason Kwon is bringing decades-old Berkeley campus favorite Joshu-ya Sushi Bar into the next millennium, giving it a new name, Joshu-ya Brasserie, and tapping into the current izakaya craze with a completely overhauled, more modern Japanese menu – think sushi rolls, crudos and other fin fare, as well as pork chashu and braised short rib sukiyaki; the renovated 55-seat dining room includes bamboo accents, dark-wood flooring and a garden patio to take advantage of warm weather, while the bar pours a selection of Japanese craft beer and a slew of shochu and sake cocktails to wash it all down; P.S. there’s also a new omakase option.

2441 Dwight Way, Berkeley; 510-848-5260

Check out the dinner menu: