Update 9/20/2011: Zen Box Izakaya opens tomorrow, more here...
This morning Camille Amiri, Public Relations Manager for Village Green, shared with us that a new restaurant, Zen Box Izakaya, is indeed opening in the retail space of Mill District City Apartments. The owners of the new spot currently operate a successful location in the Skyway, though it is a lunch only spot. Here's a link to their current location, though a website for their new Asian themed concept is a ways off.
I had a chance to speak with Owner Lina Goh, and learn a little bit about the plans for their new location. At present they're working with their architect on the design of the space, as well as with the city on permitting. Construction may start as early as May, with a hoped for opening in August, though Goh cautioned that the timing is a little fuzzy at this point.
Here's a tidbit - there will be sidewalk dining! Great news. They also plan on large windows that can open to the sidewalk to give an outdoor feel even when dining indoors.
I asked Lina why she chose the Mill District City Apartment location, and was not surprised that beyond the standard considerations, she loves the neighborhood. Some time ago she and her husband lived in Elliot Park and would frequently walk down to the Mill Ruins, Stone Arch Bridge and the other many amenities on the Riverfront. Although they have since moved further away, the Mill District is the first place they bring out of town guests. "I hope for the Mill District to become the next 'Uptown' - the cool, hip place to eat, drink and hang out" Goh said. Stay tuned as we track this story...
Lina also provided the following information:
The principle of Zen Box is simple – Honest-to-goodness Japanese comfort food in a casual, unpretentious environment. We are dedicated to the idea bringing people together with good food. Our passion is food and our pleasure is to share it with others.
We are not a typical “Midwestern Japanese” restaurant concept where Sushi and/or Hibachi are the main attraction.
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Seeing the need to bring Japanese food culture to the skyways of Minneapolis, John and Lina decided to quit their corporate jobs in San Francisco, packed up, parted with their friends and family and moved to Minneapolis to pursue a dream. They traveled and ate their way from Tokyo to New York.
The original Zen Box was introduced to the Minneapolis Skyway, the Japanese eatery has been serving up restaurant-quality Japanese comfort food at fast-food prices to the downtown workforce since 2004.
Their determination to resist shortcuts, perseverance to use only fresh ingredients for their house-made sauces and painstaking preparation of ingredients, for just a ‘lunch-only’ eatery, have gained them several ‘Best Skyway Lunch’ awards.
Brand new to the community, Zen Box was very fortunate to be embraced by culture-savvy Minnesotans, food lovers, neighbors and folks who are just excited to be able to have a different kind of Japanese food culture to come to town.
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Growing up in San Francisco, John’s restaurant adventures began at high-school, working several part-time jobs from dishwasher to Sous-chef, to pay for his college tuition. His passion for Japanese cuisine was honed under the training of a Japanese chef. With a background in Architecture, John developed his unique sensibility and honest approach to the art of Japanese cooking - the simplicity of harmonizing ingredients to enhance their natural flavors.
The urge to share their passion for Japanese comfort-food with the friends and families of their ‘loyal skyway fans’ encouraged the duo to open their 2nd location. They teamed up with a group of Japanese business-partners to introduce a different aspect of Japanese food culture to Minnesota.
Neither restaurant nor bar, an Izakaya (pronounced ee-ZAH-ka-ya) is a form of a Japanese Gastropub. It is another unique form of Japanese food culture, long overdue to become one of the biggest Japanese cuisine trends in Minnesota.
Zen Box Izakaya is not just a place where you can share delicious food and relaxing drink - It is also a community hub for the Mill District Neighborhood.
The Mill District has re-emerged as the historical and cultural center of Minneapolis. The district consist of elegant residence, office spaces, the Guthrie Theater, the Mill City Museum as well as the MacPhail Center for Music - A unique community with a rich history, activities, and culture which serves not only the residents, but also people who are visiting the City.
The unique design of the Mill District City Apartment and the eclectic vibe of the neighborhood is the perfect setting for Zen Box Izakaya (Japanese Pub & Kitchen).
A environment that Zen Box is meant to be – sharing good food with good friends. It is the place for ‘Good Food, Good Drinks and Good Company’. That’s the notion of the Izakaya.
From the website for the Skyway location:
Outside view of the space for the new eatery:
Friday, April 8, 2011 at 6:40AM
