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Business & Tech

San Mateo Restaurant Combines Sushi With Reggae

Kitcho brings Japanese fusion to downtown San Mateo.

Does downtown San Mateo really need another sushi restaurant in downtown San Mateo?

This seems like a fair question to ask, but Kitcho manager Angelo Gonzalez says yes -- for many reasons.

The Japanese restaurant opened at 204 A 2nd Avenue in San Mateo last June. Gonzalez says their brand is much different from your average traditional Japanese restaurant venue.

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“We have a fun atmosphere that attracts young people, professionals and families,” he said. “Especially in the evening; we host a weekly Thursday night Reggae night. Sushi can be fun.”

The owners introduced a happy hour and lunch menu this past August.

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Gonzalez says their menus include fusion items, along with the classic bento boxes.

“We want to bring a Japanese restaurant to America in the 21st century, he said. “We’re not really Americanizing it. 

He said their friendly staff also makes a difference in the quality of the restaurant and that you won’t find other places with as fresh of ingredients. They receive shipments from Toyko every Thursday and also local Bay Area products.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” Gonzalez said. “People don’t take us as seriously sometimes because we’re different, but we have a comfortable, family feel.” 

Future plans at the restaurant include live band performances sometime in early June and charity events. The manager said they like to support local artists and that the work hung on the restaurant’s walls come from a San Francisco tattoo shop.

Kitcho is open Monday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch. They are also open in the evenings from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to midnight Friday and Saturday.

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