In case you were wondering whether Cobi Levy’s follow-up to Charles, f.k.a. Commodore, would get a new name now that there’s a very popular Williamsburg bar of the same name, Diner’s Journal brings the answer: The West Houston restaurant will now be called Niko. True to what we reported back in December, Sushi Yasuda chef Hiro Sawatari will helm the sushi program, but it seems Josh DeChellis is no longer attached (sushi expert Trevor Corson will consult while Raj Dixit, formerly of Bouley, handles the non-sushi side). Meanwhile, another Japanese newcomer has been christened. Zenkichi’s next-door sake and oyster bar will be called Akiriba (“the glow of a dark lantern”) when it soft-opens in a few months.
Off the Menu: Niko, Sushi With Pedigree [Diner’s Journal/NYT]
Zenkichi Releases Details on Its New Oyster and Sake Bar, Akariba [Fork in the Road/VV]
