Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Chef Gene Tak presents a selection of sushi, including some vegetarian varieties, at the new Kamakura Sushi and Saki House.

Kamakura offers sushi, traditional Japanese fare

By Suzanne Cristallo

Heralded by a string of red Japanese lanterns swaying invitingly across its front, the Kamakura Sushi and Saki House recently opened for business at 135 N. Santa Cruz Ave. in Los Gatos.

The opening culminated a series of complex experiences for owners Harry and Anna Yoo, who
emigrated from Korea to San Francisco 20 years ago.

The Yoos met in Seoul during college, where Harry studied industrial management and Anna majored in design. Their backgrounds were filled with dual cultural influences, that of Korea, one of the oldest civilized nations on earth, and of Japan, which had occupied the country from 1910 to 1945.

Yoo's family was taught to cook by the Japanese and incorporated their food into Korean family culture. He brought his knowledge with him to San Francisco, where he immediately took a number of restaurant jobs, first as dishwasher, busboy, then cook.

While the Yoos married before they left home, he came first to the United States, and she later joined him, working as a waitress. Five years later, they bought their own restaurant on Van Ness Avenue and served American-style food.

In 1990, Yoo and a partner opened Sushi Bune, a Japanese restaurant at Powell and Geary streets in San Francisco.

When the Yoos learned earlier this year that the former Dragon Bistro was for sale in Los Gatos, they purchased it. Anna, with her design experience, was able to make suggestions on structural changes they made to accommodate the sushi bar and an upstairs area.

Harry and chef Gene Tak have created a dinner menu, either a la carte or with soup and salad, which includes vegetarian sushi using avocado, spinach and a variety of vegetables, along with traditional beef, chicken and fish teriyaki.

For lunch, special boxes include tempura, sashimi or teriyaki made with a variety of items in the $6 range or sushi with soup and salad for $8.50 and up. Beer and wine, as well as sake, are available.

Kamakura Sushi and Saki House, 135 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. Lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 395-6650.