Yakuza Lounge

Are we alone in being nervous when big burnished slabs of wood, thicker than the tables' also thick slabs, hang over our heads with lights inside them? Does no one else look up? Is this a metaphor? Perhaps their solidity is an illusion.

The room is f@!k-me-sleek, but demurely bemuraled, low-lit against panels of garage-door-paneled windows, and, sadly, filled with Concordia’s new pasty face:...

The place gets packed, especially on weekends. Call ahead for reservations if you have a party of 6 or more.

There are long tables in the middle of the restaurant that are perfect for groups.

Restaurateur and developer Dayna McErlean grew up on Staten Island, NY and moved to Portland in 1995. In 1999, McErlean bought a dilapidated building in the Concordia neighborhood and began the six-year process of gutting, redesigning, and completely rebuilding the site — it's now home to her Japanese izakaya Yakuza. McErlean soon followed that up by building and financing the space that would...

LOWER BURNSIDE— Ristretto Roasters's new-ish Couch flagship location will launch a monthly pop-up "Chef's Series" starting this Wednesday, November 13. Each event — on the second Wednesday of every month — will feature a different guest chef/tasting featuring speciality cocktails, drink specials, and food. This Wednesday's event will bring an oyster raw bar by Newman's Fish Market with $1...

NE KILLINGSWORTH—The corner of NE 30th and Killingsworth throws its annual free-food-for-all block party this Monday, September 9, where restaurants like Yakuza, Autentica, DOC, and Cocotte will offer complimentary bites alongside drink specials and live music. The event also doubles as a fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank; attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to...

In celebration of the sunshine, here now are 12 of Portland's Best Warm-Weather Cocktails, as deemed tops by readers. If your favorite still isn't included, do give it a shout in the comments — but seriously, shouldn't you be outside drinking right now?

Yakuza will reliably impress and surprise, producing dishes beyond experience or expectation." David Sarasohn. The Oregonian 9/2/2010

Inspired by the Japanese Izakaya concept, Yakuza is a true food-lover's bar, offering exceptional drinks and signature dishes best shared with good friends. Beloved for its classic Kobe Tartar (with jalapeno lime oil + crispy poached egg), Sashimi Trio (tuna,...