A close look at Japanese pub concept coming to the Paseo (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=579-A-close-look-at-Japanese-pub-concept-coming-to-the-Paseo)

84 Hospitality Group, proprietors of Empire Slice House, Goro Ramen, Revolucion and Ponyboy, have released more information about their latest venture coming soon to the Paseo District.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo022119b.jpg


The group bought the building last year and is now deep into construction on a highly visible corner in the center of the popular arts district.

Dubbed Gun, the group claims it will be the first of its kind in Oklahoma with a new wave approach to beverage and street food inspired by travel to Japan and other U.S. Cities.

The name is derived from Goro's sidekick in the cult movie classic Tampopo.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo022119d.jpg


Owners Rachel Cope and Chef Jeff Chanchaleune are planning to offer skewered meats and vegetables cooked over Japanese charcoal as well as new takes on traditional Japanese entrees and shareable plates.

Gun plans to fly in fresh fish and utilize an in-house butcher and when cuts are gone, they are gone; nothing is carried over.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo022119e.jpg


The bar – always a major focus of an 84 Hospitality venture – will be equipped with the state's first highball machine as well as 'the most unique and educational sake menu in the state'.

Cope and Chanchaleune hope to build on their successful Japanese concept, Goro Ramen located in the Plaza District.

In addition to a high-style interior, Gun will also feature a south-facing patio with a steel and fabric awing structure, overlooking the Paseo pocket park.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo022119c.jpg


Gun will join newly-opened Paseo eateries OSO, Scratch, Buttermilk, Holey Rollers and Mayan. Soon to come is Frida and a completely remodeled Red Rooster, which will add to Paseo favorites Picasso Cafe, the Paseo Grill, The Root and Sauced.

Handling the design work is Fitzsimmons Architects.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo022119f.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo022119a.jpg

Beautiful work! Can’t wait to try it

I will likely be frequenting this place. If it's what I think it will be like, f@ck yeah!

oh wow! super excited for this. I love the Paseo district!

I think the name is likely to cause some confusion here.

I think the name is likely to cause some confusion here.
Agreed.

At least Craig's Emporium didn't die for another burger place...

In all honesty I will probably check this place out. Looks great. Just wish we didn't have to lose some of the Paseo's character for it.

Gun plans to fly in fresh fish and utilize an in-house butcher and when cuts are gone, they are gone; nothing is carried over.

Love this ^^^ concept!

Hope it can work here when too many diners still have an "I want what I want and I want it now!" attitude.... Personally I'll take quality over quantity every time.

At least Craig's Emporium didn't die for another burger place...

In all honesty I will probably check this place out. Looks great. Just wish we didn't have to lose some of the Paseo's character for it.

Craig's Emporium didn't die, the new location is amazing and much better! They did a wonderful job and I am happy they moved and I am pretty sure they are also!

And there will be retail going into the old Craig's space in the Paseo.

Craig's Emporium didn't die, the new location is amazing and much better! They did a wonderful job and I am happy they moved and I am pretty sure they are also!

I think that such a unique business like Craig's was a better fit in a walkable area like the Paseo. It really complimented the neighborhood well. I'm sad it's gone.

I'm definitely excited about this new restaurant though.


And there will be retail going into the old Craig's space in the Paseo.

Any hints on what kind of retail?

Any hints on what kind of retail?

I believe it will be a like a bodega but with some retail pop-up elements.

'planning to offer skewered meats and vegetables cooked over Japanese charcoal " Sounds a bit like Yakitori, Those things are addicting. I too, will miss the Smell of Craig's when walking by. Actually, couldn't walk by. The Hippie smell and Bohemian vibe always drew me in. Their new location is nice. Been there twice. The move was a bit of a loss for the overall feel of the Paseo. JMI.

What differentiates Japanese charcoal from USA charcoal?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/japanese-grilling-first-you-must-master-the-binchotan-which-means-mastering-the-heat/2014/05/19/23f9ad34-dacd-11e3-bda1-9b46b2066796_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ebd19dfd8b2f

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binch%C5%8Dtan

Japanese charcoal (robata) is hotter and lasts longer than American due to the density of the wood and method of coaling.

Gun will be Oklahoma's first Robatayaki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robatayaki), which are usually high-scale (from Osaka) compared to the other Japanese tapas, Izakaya.

Japanese charcoal (robata) is hotter and lasts longer than American due to the density of the wood and method of coaling.

Gun will be Oklahoma's first Robatayaki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robatayaki), which are usually high-scale (from Osaka) compared to the other Japanese tapas, Izakaya.


^ Today I learned...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/copepaseo033119a.jpg

I am super excited for this project!

Japanese charcoal (robata) is hotter and lasts longer than American due to the density of the wood and method of coaling.

Gun will be Oklahoma's first Robatayaki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robatayaki), which are usually high-scale (from Osaka) compared to the other Japanese tapas, Izakaya.
In yesterday’s NYT food section, a review of Standard Grill , with Rocco DiSpirito (NBC series “The Restaurant”) gets 2 stars and he’s using Japanese charcoal for grilled skewers on the menu. Looking forward to trying Gun.

They open tomorrow (Friday).

Photos by Alexa Ace of the Oklahoma Gazette.



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I can not wait! I'll be a regular here when I'm in town I can already tell.

Well Done!

Can't wait to compare to a couple of my fav izakayas in Kyoto and Harajuku, Tokyo.

So their FB page says Always Open.... Anyone know if that is correct?

So their FB page says Always Open.... Anyone know if that is correct?

It's not correct. Only for dinner/late night.

It's not correct. Only for dinner/late night.

That makes more sense although it would be a nice lunch option.... I can definitely stay keto here.

As someone who just visited Japan and loved eating yakitori and gyoza at all of the various izakayas, this is definitely a welcome sight!

Got a response back from them on their hours...

Hours
Tue-Thur 5PM-Midnight
Fri-Sat 5PM-1AM

Got a response back from them on their hours...

Hours
Tue-Thur 5PM-Midnight
Fri-Sat 5PM-1AM

Between this place and Red Rooster being open until midnight on Friday & Saturday, Paseo is finally getting some good late-night food spots. One of the two should take the leap and stay open until 2 a.m.

I normally stay away from restaurants on opening nights but we decided to hit Gun last night at 5 PM and we weren't disappointed.

Service and food were all great. Only thing I didn't like that we tried was the Kawa... I was expecting it to be crispy but it was chewy... Other than the texture I liked it.

We also tried the Tsukemono, Tokyo Hot Chicken, Pork & Crab Shumai, Tsukune, Buta Hara, and the Okinawan Donuts

Pro tip: There is a little stone shot glass sitting on your table... It's to put your used skewers in. Not to drink your sake out of. ;)

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Without a full review I will say the eggplant wontons were insanely delicious. Atmosphere was a bit stuffier than what I remember from Japan, but it was opening night. Nice Japanese whisky options. Japanese beer choices need improvement.

Without a full review I will say the eggplant wontons were insanely delicious. Atmosphere was a bit stuffier than what I remember from Japan, but it was opening night. Nice Japanese whisky options. Japanese beer choices need improvement.

I'll extrapolate from Tokyo/Hakone, and assume that most places in japan aren't very pretentious. Hidden in plain sight? Yeah, but definitely more of a casual feel. By being placed in the paseo, I'd also assume that it'd be stuffy. Having said that, i can't wait to visit tonight.

Well Done!

Ditto. Can't wait to go on my next trip to OKC!!!

Between this place and Red Rooster being open until midnight on Friday & Saturday, Paseo is finally getting some good late-night food spots. One of the two should take the leap and stay open until 2 a.m.

I'm thinking stay open late night until 3 a.m. Th, Fri, Sat nights as is the case in other major cities.

I don't know what any of that food pictured is, but it looks amazing.

I'm thinking stay open late night until 3 a.m. Th, Fri, Sat nights as is the case in other major cities.

This is not possible with how the liquor laws are currently written in Oklahoma.

This is not possible with how the liquor laws are currently written in Oklahoma.

it is possible, as long as they close up and lock up all high point beer, wine and liquor... it's just very expensive and not usually worth it.

.... By being placed in the paseo, I'd also assume that it'd be stuffy. ...

Why would you think that? Plenty of places in the Paseo that aren't stuffy. In fact, maybe the majority of the food/drink places aren't, I'd guess.

I'm really glad a place like this exists. They have this highball machine, which isn't in too many places in the states according to a waitress, and that alone sold me.

Had 5 of the 6 yakitori options (waiter didn't hear the chicken wing), and the tokyo hot chicken. Favorite was the hot chicken, followed by the thigh, and then the meatball.



Why would you think that? Plenty of places in the Paseo that aren't stuffy. In fact, maybe the majority of the food/drink places aren't, I'd guess.

Looked up the definition of stuffy and I misinterpreted the word.

Sidebar: can it be fact if you were to guess?

A little more info on their Toki Highball machine

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/japanese-whiskey-highball-machine

We went there for dinner last night. There was a ~45 minute wait for 3 at 7:00, but we just walked over to the Daley and got a drink there while we waited. It's really nice inside and can see myself frequenting there often, as there are still a number of things on the menu I'd like to try. I really like the family style small plate options, as it makes it much easier to try a large portion of the menu and makes the meal more interactive. You order everything at once, and they bring it out as it's ready so made for a fun, progressive dinner. We had the hot chicken, pork sando, eggplant dumplings, and chicken thigh, breast and heart yakatori. Pork sando was probably my favorite, followed by the dumplings and chicken thigh yakatori. The hot chicken was my least favorite of the group, not because it wasn't necessarily good but it didn't really fit with the rest of the menu. I also tried the charred grapefruit highball... I wasn't sure entirely what the expect, but it was surprisingly refreshing.

~$90 with tip for 3 drinks and plenty of food seemed very reasonable to me, I look forward to going back and trying more of the menu.

Looks like Chef Jeff just got nominated for best Chef in the Southwest by the James Beard Foundation.

List of nominees (https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2020-james-beard-award-semifinalists?utm_source=social&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=2020-02-26&fbclid=IwAR1t27ERDvgw2_IJA4niLd9z3KmBKAfOpVq_VLmVK Z49YgiyrODKwlXPAFU)

This place is amazing. Some of the best catfish I’ve ever had and awesome staff.

I was wondering how this place is doing. I've heard almost nothing about it, which is usually a bad sign...

^^^ when I went on a rainy and cold night it was doing pretty good.

Went here last night. I'm not much for writing reviews but what I can say is that everything here is terrific and high quality. It's the type of place that no one outside of here would expect in OKC. Will def be back.

I was wondering how this place is doing. I've heard almost nothing about it, which is usually a bad sign...

I feel like they've been getting some good pub lately

https://www.fsrmagazine.com/slideshows/32-rising-restaurant-stars

https://edibleoklahomacity.ediblecommunities.com/eat/gun-izakaya

https://oklahoman.com/article/5656003/national-spotlight-flickers-on-the-405-diningscape

https://www.405magazine.com/the-way-of-gun/

I was wondering how this place is doing. I've heard almost nothing about it, which is usually a bad sign...

I went on Tuesday this week around 6:30 and it was already pretty full so I think it's doing quite well.

Their FB and IG haven't been updated since May. Guessing they are closed for good?

Their FB and IG haven't been updated since May. Guessing they are closed for good?

I wouldn't think so - None of the Rachel Cope restaurants (Empire, Goro, Revolución, Gun) are open for dine-in.

The unique thing about Gun is that is 100% a menu and style that you kind of need to be at the restaurant. Last time I saw they were operating a limited Gun menu out of Goro's kitchen.

They plan to re-open, just being very conservative.

Could this mean Gun and Goro are combining?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZ_A5ahsBN/?igshid=1aqtwxtixdea1

Could this mean Gun and Goro are combining?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZ_A5ahsBN/?igshid=1aqtwxtixdea1

It's for the old Easy E spot in the Plaza, and it's something new called Tori Tori.

It's for the old Easy E spot in the Plaza, and it's something new called Tori Tori.

if i were a betting man i would say that this will be a Karaage concept

if i were a betting man i would say that this will be a Karaage concept

Especially since they are using a chicken logo.

It's for the old Easy E spot in the Plaza, and it's something new called Tori Tori.

Oh ok, when it said they were combining 2 concepts I assumed it meant 2 existing concepts.

Oh ok, when it said they were combining 2 concepts I assumed it meant 2 existing concepts.

I am not sure that you are wrong ..

Have they opened this place? I really hope this place doesn’t shut down it was amazing and nothing else like it in OKC.

Could this mean Gun and Goro are combining?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZ_A5ahsBN/?igshid=1aqtwxtixdea1

Unfortunately called it. Happy to see both carry on, but hate to lose the character of the original Goro location. The move makes sense and is closer to me, so looking forward to trying out the new combo once it opens.