Asian-Inspired Tokyo Club Debuts Next Week in Harmonie Park

Next week the annual North American International Auto Show will come to Detroit and with it crowds of car enthusiasts. Coordinating with the event, Jason Frenkel, the man behind Rubbed and Alley Taco plans to reveal a top-secret project he's been working on for the last six months in Harmonie Park. Tokyo Club, a new Asian fusion restaurant, will have a soft opening on January 16 in the former Rhino Bar space at 1407 Randolph. At the same time, a speakeasy (the name is still under wraps) will open below the restaurant featuring classic and Asian-style cocktails.

Expect 60 walk-in-only seats at Tokyo Club in a laid-back atmosphere. "[It will] be a cross of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese with a Detroit twist," Frenkel says, noting that the menu will offer upscale bar food at moderate prices, around $15 to $20 per person.

One item the chef is working on is a kimchi french fry with kimchi relish. The restaurant will also have a special egg roll list with creative takes on a traditional flavor profile—chicken alfredo egg rolls, mac and cheese egg rolls, and more. "We'll make homemade crab Rangoon," he adds.

The interior is sparsely decorated but will evolve as the business matures explains Frenkel, adding that it's "very dark, [and] very red." Diners should anticipate communal seating in a space that's good for big groups.

For someone with his fingers in so many pots, one may start to wonder how Frenkel keeps up with all his restaurant ventures, but the entrepreneur says Detroiters should expect him to keep investing in dining start-ups in the city. "I moved back here from San Francisco specifically to open up restaurants...As I progress I don't want to be stuck in one restaurant doing one thing."

For the first two weeks Tokyo Club will be open for pop-up hours from 6 p.m. until close (between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.) Thursday through Saturday. He's also looking to higher 8 to 12 experienced employees over the next few days. Those interested should contact him at frenkelj@gmail.com.

Update: The opening date for Tokyo Club has been switched to January 16.