It's official: St. Petersburg's contemporary Asian fusion joint, Souzou, has closed after a little more than three years in Uptown. But luckily, a new Japanese-inspired restaurant is breathing fresh life into the still-stylish space at 435 Fifth Ave. N.
Saké 23 is the latest concept from 23 Restaurant Services, which is also behind Ford's Garage and Yeoman's Cask & Lion on both sides of the bay, Tampa's City Market Eats and Riverview's forthcoming Tiki Docks. The Tampa-based hospitality company acquired Souzou back in April with plans to carry on the eatery's Pacific Rim-influenced favorites, putting an even greater emphasis on food quality and simple, elevated dishes.
On Thursday night, a packed house helped welcome Saké 23 to the neighborhood during a high-energy VIP party, where a sneak peek of the restaurant's marriage of Japanese tradition and modern-day culture was showcased.
Passed appetizers — among them crispy spring rolls with pickled veggies and gochujang and pork gyoza with saké sauce and bacon glaze — were up for grabs, as was the full menu of specialty cocktails. Standouts include the yuzu saké sangria, an ultra-refreshing mix of Helix Vodka, Peachtree, Pamplemousse Rose Grapefruit, orange juice, simple syrup, sage and Joto Yuzu Sake.
Initially, CL thought Saké 23 got its name from the "23" in 23 Restaurant Services. Now we're thinking this figure represents the number of sakes that the restaurant has thoughtfully curated under one roof. Very nice.
Japanese whisky enthusiasts should feel at home, too. Saké 23's selection offers wallet-friendly and splurge-worthy options, and two-ounce pours range in price from $10 to $20. Guests are even welcome to taste their way around a pair of three-whisky flights.
Back to the food: Sushi rolls, ramen and fried rice drive the bill of fare, but signature plates like filet mignon yakisoba, pad thai, poke and saké teriyaki grilled salmon aren't forgotten, either. Basically, all you need to know is that the aforementioned apps are just as alluring as these entrees. Good luck choosing.
Saké 23 kicks off both lunch and dinner on Friday — as in, like, today. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.