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A new restaurant in the Vista will give judges the chance to enjoy Pan-Asian cuisine in an atmospheric setting.
at 916 Gervais St. The existing Boku Kitchen and Lounge has been open since February, but the grand opening on July 21 drew community and civic leaders to check out the latest offering from owner Michael Duganier, of Columbia restaurant fame. community.
Duganier owns a sister location, Publico Kitchen and Tap in Five Points, which opened in May in the Bull Street District. Publico serves Latin/Asian cuisine.
“Once again, it’s another great day as we celebrate the opening of another business,” Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenman said at the opening. “This is the third location Columbia Michael has invested in, and he’s committed to growing here and hiring here.”
Duganier said in an interview that a restaurant like Boku was a concept that had been tossed around for years by the late Robert “Bob” McCarthy, his mentor and longtime business partner, who died in late 2021.
The two originally talked about opening Boku’s as a fast-casual eatery, but Duganier said other fast-casual businesses tried the Gervais Street location and closed. Before Boku opened, the building was formerly home to Fiery Taco.
“I suggested that maybe go with a more pan-Asian concept,” Duganier said. “The vision with Boku would bring something different to this neighborhood that wasn’t there before.”
The boku menu includes soup, salad, noodles, crab rangoon, calamari and other items. The sophisticated bar offers signature drinks as well as a large selection. Diners can eat inside or outside in the lounge.
Duganier wanted the atmosphere of the new restaurant to be as different as the menu. Paintings by Miami artist Ruben Ubiera immediately catch customers’ eyes upon entering; For example, a large colorful rooster, a woman drawn in an anime style, and a fedora hat on top of the Chinese character “Love.” “
That body is Duganier’s tribute to his friend McCarthy because both men were close to the music of Frank Sinatra, and the fedora was the singer’s signature hat.
Other unique elements of the decor honor the restaurant’s Asian theme, including bright red birdcage lanterns hanging from the front of the restaurant and unique light fixtures made from chopsticks that illuminate the tables behind.
A popular feature at Boku is the daily happy hour with $7 cocktails, $6 wine and $5 appetizers. Duganier said the restaurant will also begin serving dim sum brunch on the first weekend of August.
Reach Christina Lee Knauss at 803-753-4327.
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