Previews

Upscale Japanese Chain Roka Akor Moves in on 500 Jackson

Roka Akor Chicago, which opened in 2011.
Roka Akor Chicago, which opened in 2011. Photo: Courtesy of Roka Akor

Just as Hakkasan, the London-based upscale Chinese chain, is expanding to San Francisco this year at One Kearny, another London-based Asian chain is making the move here as well: Roka Akor. It’s an offshoot of Roka, the Japanese steak and sushi restaurant with locations in the UK and Hong Kong, and they already have U.S. outposts in Chicago and Scottsdale. Via the liquor licenses this a.m. it appears they’re taking the cursed space at 500 Jackson Street that’s been home to Scott Howard and Zinnia in recent years, and was almost home to Aziza before that deal fell through. Bon Appétit named the Scottsdale location of Roka Akor among the ten best sushi spots in the country three years ago, so there’s that. The Scoop contacted someone at Roka Akor who does not give a timeline for the S.F. expansion, but we should know more in the coming months. [Scoop]

Upscale Japanese Chain Roka Akor Moves in on 500 Jackson