Chef Kyle Itani’s cooking is inspired by his fourth-generation Japanese heritage, his mother’s Italian side, his experience working in kitchens throughout the Bay Area, and from his time living, cooking, and eating in Sendai, Japan.
In 2012 Kyle opened his first restaurant, Hopscotch, a classic American diner with a Japanese twist that made Itani one of Oakland’s early culinary pioneers. Kyle was quickly named a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef and earned a spot on the Chronicle’s Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants list. He then went on to open Itani Ramen (est. 2016) and Yonsei Handrolls (est. 2022), both located across from the Fox Theater in Uptown.
In 2023 Kyle transitioned Hopscotch into a catering business where he now creates customized menus for events throughout the Bay Area. Kyle then partnered with his two former employees to open Good Luck Gato, Oakland’s first izakaya cantina, in the former restaurant space. Next door they also opened Ninth Life, a cocktail bar inspired by the ‘80s, ‘90s, & ‘00s.
To visit or learn more about any of his restaurants, click here.
