Peko Peko En Route to the Mission

Though the Mission is best known as a bastion of Mexican food, an ongoing influx of spots like the much-lauded sushi spot Maruya and the upcoming Orenchi Ramen promises to make the neighborhood a Japanese destination, too. Adding to the mini-Japantown feel comes the news that izakaya-inspired pop-up and catering favorite Peko Peko has found a brick-and-mortar home in the Mission.

Peko Peko proprietor Sylvan Mishima Brackett spent six years as Alice Waters' assistant and then as the Chez Panisse creative director, but left to work at a soba restaurant in the Japanese countryside. He returned to establish Peko Peko in 2008, but opening an izakaya of his own was always on his mind. With a newly inked lease on a secret location in the Mission, it looks like Brackett's signature bento boxes and creative, locally sourced izakaya fare have finally found a home.

Though the exact location is under wraps, Inside Scoop reports that it will be near the 14th Street corridor in a "beautiful" building. The 60-seat restaurant will be designed by Frost Tsuji Architects, and while it will share the ethos of Peko Peko's catering days, it will have a different name. Peko Peko's appealing takeout bento boxes will be the main focus at lunch, while dinner will have a more varied menu, with sake and shochu flowing once a beer and wine license is secured.

For now, Brackett is targeting a summer opening, but he'll be hosting a series of pop-up events in Oakland in the interim (follow his Twitter for details). Details on the name and location of the upcoming spot should be coming soon, so stay tuned.

· Sylvan Brackett of Peko Peko Opening an Izakaya [Tablehopper]
· Sylvan Mishima Brackett inks a lease in the Mission [Inside Scoop]