Outdoor Retailer - August 2021 - 42

#shoplife: Takibi
Snow Peak partnered
with executive chef Alex
Kim and mixologist Jim
Meehan to craft the
menu at Takibi.
Indoor Bonfire
Snow Peak's new Portland, Oregon, eatery, Takibi, is the first
restaurant to be based on outdoor gear, and-no surprise-it's hot.
by Doug Schnitzspahn
IN MAY, A NEW RESTAURANT CALLED TAKIBI, OPENED NOT FAR FROM
the Japanese Garden on NW Flanders Street in Portland, Oregon.
Takibi means bonfire in Japanese, and the upscale eatery gives the feel
of sitting around a fire. Its menu includes Japanese fare such as sashimi
and grilled specialties. The bar mixes up the kind of craft cocktails
Portlanders seek: nori green tea punch, a yuzu shandy, and unique
drinks featuring local spirits. But while theme restaurants are common
in the City of Roses, this one is different. Takibi is owned and operated by
outdoor gear brand Snow Peak, and it's the first restaurant to be based
on a line of gear, the manufacturer's Takibi grills.
It may seem odd that a gear company would go into the restaurant business,
but Matt Liddle, Snow Peak USA chief operating officer, sees it as a
natural extension. " Snow Peak believes that gathering with others to slow
down and be close to nature is the antidote to the stressors of modern life, "
he says. " In nature, food and drink bring people together. Because of this
belief in the power of gathering, much of our product line relates to food in
some way. You'll often hear us say that we're the foodiest brand in the outdoor
industry. Opening a restaurant enables us to bring this point of view
on the power of gathering into the heart of the city and create memorable
moments of connection with our customers and with each other. "
42 OUTDOOR RETAILER / August 2021
Takibi makes sense in Snow Peak's Portland portfolio, too; it's close
to the Japan-based manufacturer's flagship U.S. retail store and U.S.
headquarters. But the brand did not try to jump into the restaurant
business on its own. It partnered with local restaurateurs Submarine
Hospitality, executive chef Alex Kim, and mixologist Jim Meehan
to make a splash in the foodie scene. But that partnership goes both
ways-the food and drink experts love the outdoors, too.
" Jim is well known for opening the James Beard Award-winning
PDT in New York and Hong Kong, and his exceptional books have become
the go-to resource for professional and home bartenders alike, "
says Liddle. " He shares a commitment to craftsmanship that closely
mirrors our own, and he's been a big fan of Snow Peak since he first
moved to Portland seven years ago. And as an enthusiastic outdoorsman,
Jim's approach behind the bar features a super-seasonal take on
drinks that reflect the Pacific Northwest, enhanced by Japanese ingredients
and tools. "
The proof of concept is on the table. Wander the Japanese Garden,
browse the Snow Peak shop, and dig into some hiyashi nasu and grilled
black cod in the cozy, crackling environs of Takibi, and you will tick off a
perfect day. takibipdx.com O.R.
AJ Meeker and Ashley Marti
https://www.snowpeak.com/ http://www.takibipdx.com
Outdoor Retailer - August 2021

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