The Poke Jar, which enlivened the dining scene in the village of Castleton when it opened in February 2022 with a menu of poke, ramen, sushi and street tacos, will close at the end of May.
Owner Mike Kwok announced that he will be focusing on his food truck, called This Guy Bites, and catering. Kwok also owns Hanzo Japanese Steakhouse in North Greenbush.
The closure announcement thanks customers but does not offer more of an explanation for shuttering the business. It says the food truck likely will be parked around Rensselaer to start.
In other news, Rosanna’s Italian Kitchen in Albany’s Center Square neighborhood will return Friday, May 19, after a brief closure for a change of ownership. The new owners are Dora and Mike Philip of The Hollow Bar + Kitchen in downtown Albany. They bought Rosanna’s with partners who include the chef Rachel Mabb, who was head chef at The Ruck in Troy for eight years. Hours will be 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday. For the first weekend, dining will be by reservation only, with walk-in seating available starting May 22. Call 518-462-9176. Because the restaurant’s new liquor license has not been confirmed, alcoholic beverages may not be available in the first few days, Mabb said. The new menu is not yet online.
The name is the same, as is the Italian theme, but Mabb has previously said she will update fare to appeal to those following diets including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free.
“It felt like a natural progression” for the new owners to continue the Rosanna’s legacy but modernize it with a vegetable-forward menu, said Mabb and Dora Philip, who have been friends for about a decade. Philip co-owns Halo Wholesale Food Co. in downtown Albany, which makes plant-based meat and cheese alternatives. Subculture Vegan Deli & Provisions on…
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