by Frank Sabatini Jr.

Downtown’s new Jade Theater isn’t a playhouse, but rather a 14,000-square-foot, three-level hotspot for dining, lounging and dancing enveloped in rich décor conceived in part by the acclaimed Japanese-born Takumi Zing. Backed by a group of investors seasoned in the hospitality business, the owners refer to the word “theater” as “a place where drama unfolds.” Expect a “sake library,” high-tech sound and lighting in the basement’s Buddha Lounge and an all-Asian menu cleverly categorized as, “Tease Me,” “Taste Me” and “Eat Me.” For adventurous diners, Jade offers a chef’s table called “Mercy of the Chef,” headed by culinary whiz James Montejano.
701 C St. • 619-814-5125