Look Who's Popping Up

Khyber Teases Shadowy ‘Royal Sushi & Izakaya Pop-Up’

Hakata-style Tonkotsu Ramen
Hakata-style Tonkotsu Ramen Photo: Courtesy Khyber Pass Pub

Back in August news that erstwhile rock and roll sanctuary the Khyber was giving live music the boot and transforming into a Japanese-style izakaya went over about as well as a plate of leftover sushi. And the fact that Todd Dae Kulper, the talented young chef who brought short lived acclaim to the even more short lived Ro-Zu, was onboard didn’t do much to improve that chilly reception. Now almost four months after Khyber’s Southern-fried makeover, the Old City institution is teasing Royal Sushi & Izakaya Pop-Up #1 on a new website. With a gorgeous photo of a bowl of Hakata-style Tonkotsu Ramen, the site offers little information aside from “One Night Only” and the date February 21, 2011.

As of this posting Grub Street’s calls to Khyber owner Stephen Simons have gone unanswered, which leaves us wondering if this pop-up is a preview of the rumored sushi-izakaya spot the Khyber owners are supposedly bringing to life sometime this year? And if whiz kid Todd Dae Kulper is still attached to the project? [royalsushiandizakaya.com]

Earlier: Khyber Pass Pub Begins Serving Food Tomorrow

Khyber Teases Shadowy ‘Royal Sushi & Izakaya Pop-Up’