Inside the Sleek Shigezo Izekaya, Complete with Menu Deets

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Photography by Allison Jones

Last month, Eater got a sneak peek at the inside of Shigezo Izakaya, a Japanese chain planting its first American roots in the former Pinocchio Restaurant space in downtown Portland. And it's gotten even prettier! Several seating areas — from a cocktail bar to robata bar, elevated (and curtained) "Zen booths" to tatami rooms to tea rooms — break up the space into sections that give off both upscale and izakaya vibes, and the promised Oregon log is indeed suspended from the ceiling in the front lobby/bar area.

And the menu: Eater operatives report a varying menu focusing on small-to-medium izakaya-style plates (with cold and hot "tapas"), kushiyaki skewers, kushiage, robata, hand-made noodles (including ramen), and an omakase-only sushi bar (though there's something called a "make-your-own sushi set" also available). Shigezo opens to the public this Thursday.
· Shigezo [Official site]
· All Previous Shigezo Coverage [Eater PDX]