The next restaurant from Sakerum owner Stephanos Andreou is a medley of concepts under one Dupont Circle roof. Tokyo Pearl is set to open in early spring at 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW. 

By day, the work crowd can slip in and out ordering poke bowls and sushi rolls at a fast-casual operation. Compared to his fine dining restaurant on 14th Street NW, which serves $155 sushi rolls, Andreou says his lunch focus is on “simple, fast, healthy, and inexpensive food.” He hopes to streamline ordering using an app for quicker service. 

At dusk the space will feel more like a gastropub with a bar and entertainment area where DJs will spin. The dinner menu will also focus on sushi and other raw seafood preparations as the restaurant doesn’t have a full kitchen. 

Follow the path to the back of the restaurant to find a 44-seat patio with a retractable roof. Andreou and his wife Constandina Andreou refer to it as an “opium den-inspired hookah lounge” and say their hookahs will be high-tech (pointing to this site as an example). 

Cocktails at Tokyo Pearl will be sake and shochu-based and there will also be an array of Japanese beers. 

Design firm 3877 is transforming the space that was formerly a menswear shop. Locally, 3877 also designed Succotash‘s downtown location, Slipstream‘sNavy Yard location, and Momofuku CCDC. The Andreous tapped the light and sound team from two Miami clubs—STORY and LIV—to contribute to the vibe. 

As for the name, Constandina says, “The pearl is the unique part—certain things we’ll have are unique pickings that Tokyo has to offer.” 

While the whole restaurant is called Tokyo Pearl, the fast-casual business will be known as Tokyo Pearl Fresh, a concept Andreou might scale if it proves successful.

Washington Business Journal initially reported the location of Andreou’s next project.

Tokyo Pearl, 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW; tokyopearldc.com