Izakayas, those Japanese-styled bar-restaurants, have been very popular lately. And honestly, what’s not to love? Plenty of booze, late closing hours and wide varieties of superb Japanese fare. Hokahoka is a good example—a popular and authentic dig for Japanese folks looking to chat the night away, it’s laid-back and friendly, with plenty of effort put into the food quality, authenticity and alcohol selection while keeping the prices low. Our sashimi platter ($100) had ten pieces of fresh, high-quality fish, while the minced toro rolls were, in our humble opinion, the best in town. The shuto (marinated bonito fish) with soft cheese is a snack only a few places here serve, and Hokahoka’s was rich and flavorful. The same applies to the angler fish liver, an autumn delicacy. As for booze, with four pages of sake and imported beer from Japan, you’ll never be without a little tipple. And don’t worry about the Japanese menu—the staff were all more than happy to help out.