Izakaya Sakura's "Sign of the Times"

Hard to believe that one man lift and one new sign could make such a difference. Right before our trip, FOY (Friend of Yoso) "Xiāngjiāo" sent me a text and a photo showing a sign going up.......on Izakaya Sakura!

During the week that followed, I received at least 8 emails...many expressing sadness and even dismay about Sakura's new sign. I guess having no visible identity was part of Sakura's identity in their mind. ChrisR even used the phrase "end of an era", which I think describes the opinion of most of those emails. I do think TS's "Tearing Down the Berlin Wall" analogy was perhaps a bit much though!

Anyway, in case you haven't seen it yet, his is what the final product looks like.

I'm not fond of the sign, but it's a sign. While we've posted about Sakura over 25 times in the over 10 1/2 years we've been in existence, I guess I'd never quite put together how much the lack of signage gave the place some kind of cult status in San Diego. Fact is; I recall Sakura having a sign, circa 2002 or 03. San Diego was quite different in terms of Japanese (or even Chinese/Thai/Korean, etc) Restaurants in those days. I recall being in the place (Ed, not sure if I was having dinner with you) when a customer insisted on Kazu serving him some set of rolls. He was quite pushy, somewhat verbally abusive, Kazu actually brought out the phone book offering to help the guy find a place that would serve him what he wanted. I believe interactions like that led to the removal of Sakura's signage, though I've never asked. Personally, even though I've been there many, many, times over the years, I don't know Kazu well enough to ask....so maybe one of you will.

The food scene and tastes in San Diego have changed a lot since I first started doing business here in 1998-1999. And as much as I might seem too serious in my thoughts about what's being served, I think what's available is much more diverse than back then and am thankful for it. Social media and how we get our information has changed things as well.

The food is the bottom line, right? So here's a post signage chicken karaage. Looks much like what I've had over the years. No difference, no signage tariff.

As long as the food stays consistent; I'll keep eating here. Sign or no sign.......

Izakaya Sakura
3904 Convoy St Ste 121
San Diego, CA 92111

In case you really miss it......just one more time, ok?

For old times sake.

Hope you're having a great week!

Comments

[kat]

as long as the food stays consistent:)

[dancing]

wow the "end of an era" description is right on. i can't believe they have a sign now. of course i'm not surprised to read about it here first. thanks for posting the pic (sans sign) for those of us who want to remember that for old times sake!

[Soo @ hungryones]

Sign looks cool.

[Hao]

So with the sign back... we're supposed to go in and ask for rolls at the bar? :)

[Kirk]

And it has Kat!

It seemed to effect a lot of folks Dancing.

I really don't care for it much Soo.....but hey, that's just me.

Have at it Hao! Let me know what happens. Actually, like I said things have changed over the years and I think Sakura believes folks have a better understanding (I hope) of what is served. BTW, I've seen California Rolls at Sakura in recent years.

[Junichi]

I saw that when I went to Yokohama last week. Did a double take just to make sure I was seeing things correctly.

Speaking of karaage the latest issue of weekly LALALA has an ad stating a new karaage place is opening up in the Marukai Gardena food court. Says it's the US expansion of the shop that has #1 karaage ranking in Tabelog. Opens 12/18.

https://www.facebook.com/tenkatoriusa/timeline

[Kirk]

Looks like I'll have to head up to my old stomping grounds soon Junichi! Thanks for the update.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

I don't remember the customer and the phone book. I do remember the sign on the door that read "WE DO NOT SERVE CALIFORNIA ROLLS". My hazy earliest memory (probably from 2001) is from that there was a sign of some kind somewhere because friends and I scouting around for Japanese food. We stopped there, but Sakura was not open yet that day. I saw the no CA rolls sign in the window, so I was sure to stop by the next time I was in the area. After that for a few years, I went to Sakura every time I was in SD.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Edited for grammar and clarity:

I don't remember the customer and the phone book. I do remember the sign on the door that read "WE DO NOT SERVE CALIFORNIA ROLLS". My hazy earliest memory (probably from 2001) is that Sakura had a sign of some kind somewhere because friends and I scouting around for Japanese food stopped to check it out. But Sakura was not open yet that day. I saw the no CA rolls sign, so I was sure to stop by the next time I was in the area. After that for a few years, I went to Sakura every time I was in SD.

[Kirk]

I'm trying to remember whom I was with when I saw Kazu have the phone book moment, Ed. But, yes, Sakura did indeed have a sign way back when.