Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
Nearly five years ago, when Eric and Jenny Heckman opened Tani Sushi Bistro, it was the fifth restaurant serving sushi in downtown Clayton, an apparent case of overfishing that suburb’s waters. Yet Tani kicked tail, thanks to a stellar, young service staff and a music playlist to match, all accented by a large red monochrome of Tokyo—to say nothing of Tani’s signature item, the flaming Oh My God! roll. In January, the couple opened their second restaurant, Takaya New Asian, in the new Mercantile Exchange, located along a ready-to-explode block on Washington Avenue. If by “New Asian,” they mean miso-glazed pork belly with kimchi or bulgogi brioche sliders with mayo and spicy greens, well, consider us newbies. As we nestled into a dimly lit booth the color of a persimmon, we couldn’t help imagining an Oh My God!–like item for Takaya. We thought a “One More Time” roll might be appropriate—set afire, of course.
634 Washington
Downtown
314-241-5721
Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat
