Coming: 'Sexy' Japanese in Manayunk

Moon Krapugthong of Manayunk's Chabaa Thai is looking at a July 20 opening of Yanako, her long-planned Japanese restaurant just down the street at 4255 Main St.

I'm told that the bi-level space will have an 18-foot sushi bar in an "atrium" and carry a sexy design by a team of Philadelphia University architecture grads.

Chef Haruo Ige, who's been "in residence" at Chabaa Thai, will be chef.

Krapugthong has had this Manayunk project in mind for some time. Last year, when she closed MangoMoon, her posh Asian down the street where Gemelli on Main is now, she had intended to open Yanako at 4410 Main, across from Kildare's. But after a falling out, the project shifted to a former boutique near Rector Street.