Downtown Stockton Customers Vote for Their Favorite Businesses Misaki Sushi and Bar Tidwater Art Center and Gallery 222 N. El Dorado Street, #M, 209-547-1288
Originally from Sacramento, Misaki Sushi and Bar realized the break downtown Stockton could offer. “We moved to Stockton because there was too much competition in Sacramento, and we foresaw this as an opportunity,” explains Manager Andrew. Conveniently located right next to the downtown movie theatre, Misaki offers innovative recipes, ample entertainment space, tasteful sushi bar, and a fully stocked bar, all elegantly presented by an open group of friendly employees. Weather you are 25 or 45 Misaki has something for you. Come with buddies and gather down Misaki’s full bar to enjoy a sports game or sit in a quiet corner at a table for two for a romantic dinner. You can also sit at the spacious sushi bar to sample some the local favorites: the Stockton roll and the Mt. Fuji. “No [sushi] restaurant these days has original recipes. It’s just passed on from one friend to another, or one generation to another, but the recipe changes, varies with clientele and market. Some people like fried shrimp, others don’t like fried shrimp - we try and cater to different tastes,” Andrew points out. Misaki’s and other downtown venues have seen this area change in various ways. “There has been a substantial increase in teenagers using the plaza as a hangout spot especially during the
223 E. Weber Avenue, 209-463-4033
(From left) Andrew, the manager of Misaki’s, and Eric, the sushi chef. Photo by Caleb Mize
summer,” Andrew confesses. The youth seem attracted to the spot by a variety the area offers. There are the movie theatre, Cold Stone, Starbucks, a burger joint, and, of course, Misaki’s. The owners hope that perhaps summer will invite more youth oriented events to the Waterfront and surrounding areas to enhance a sense of community in the hearts and minds of Stockton’s future generations. And also to enhance their appetites to stop by Misaki Sushi and Bar to try a local specialty. R
Yasoo Yani Greek Restaurant 326 E. Main Street, 209-464-3108 Yasoo Yani has been called the most authentic Greek restaurant in Stockton. When asked why, co-owner and operator Jim Aftias replied with one word, “Consistency.” What keeps Yasoo Yani so consistent you wonder? Since Yasoo Yani opened in 1975, the menu has remained “pretty much the same,” confesses Jim. Yasoo Yani’s recipes were past down from father to son. Jim explains, “My brother Leo has been here almost the whole time the restaurant has been open and he’s been working side by side with our father. So he knows the original recipes.” Leo Aftias, Chef and co-owner, makes the casseroles, Mahmuskas, Pastisto, and the sauces on location and everything is consistently mouth-watering. Over the years, Yasoo Yani has developed a loyal lunch crowd that range anywhere from courthouse employees to hungry pedestrians who happen to catch a glimpse of the rotisserie lamb being sliced for the lunch crowd’s favorite the Gyro special. A pita bread sandwich served with a salad and French fries keeps the customers coming back for more. Over the past four years, brothers Jim and Leo have had to make personal sacrifices and take economic hits to keep Yasoo Yani opened. This is not the first time Yasoo Yani has felt an economic pinch. When the restaurant opened, downtown was packed with cars, banks, and shops of all varieties. Not too long after the restaurant opened, the car lots The Downtowner
Leo Aftias, co-owner of Yasoo Yani. Photo by Caleb Mize
moved to Hammer Lane, the banks closed down, and the malls opened up north. When asked, why not move where the business seemingly went, Jim proudly replied “There will always be a good economy in Downtown Stockton. It may not be as great as it once was, but it will always be good. There has been a big push from our civic leaders to make downtown better and we’re going to stand behind that. We always believed Downtown Stockton would thrive, and we still do.” If it’s authentic Greek tradition you crave, try Yasoo Yani which in Greek stands for “Hello/Goodbye, Johnny.” R
Voted the Best Art Gallery in Stockton by the Stockton Record, Tidewater Art Center and Gallery touches a part of each person’s core, “the Art.” Tidewater’s goals are simply to increase the awareness and education of Stockton’s residents while at the same time providing an outlet for local artist to get their name out and enhance their own skills by trading ideas with like minded kin. Tidewater hosts public events every month of the year. For example on January 14, there will be a reception for “a group show by local Art Teachers,” called Homeworks 3. The exhibit will be up from January 4 through 28 and it will feature art mentors of the high school students whose art will be showcased in February. Some of the artist featured in January are Tom Hermansen, Susan Bradley, and Thai Neang. On February 18, Tidewater is hosting their 10th annual Souper Supper, which will take place at the Scottish Rite Center. This fundraising event will have souvenir pottery bowls, which can be purchased and then filled with one of eight different gourmet soups, and enjoyed with a side of bread and wine. Local potters create unique soup bowls to sell at the event. One of the ceramic artists supplying bowls is Joel Blum.
Denny Ah-Tye, a member of the Tidewater Gallery’s artist cooperative. Photo by Caleb Mize
With a yearly running cost of 70,000 dollars, Tidewater surely has their hands full providing Stockton with fine arts. If you feel like supporting the local arts, visit the Tidewater on Weber Avenue and pick one of a kind piece of jewelry, painting, or sculpture. R
Blackwater Café Downtown 13 S. San Joaquin Street, 209-483-7384 Tucked away behind the courthouse, blanketed in the shadow of the Fox theatre, compacted quite literally between neighboring businesses, there lies a niche carved out by David Qualls, owner of Blackwater Café Downtown. It is easy to miss but if you are walking by, your senses will surely direct you into the café. The lively music may catch your ear or you will smell the rich, inviting aroma of a freshly brewed coffee. Whatever it is that draws you into this establishment, once inside you can’t help but feel welcome. The place is so small it only allows for one tall table, two stools and a counter with a giant espresso machine. The twostory-high walls are covered with local art and coffee posters. Three coffee pots with fresh brews are labeled with gasoline octane ratings, so you know for sure how strong your cup will be. At the far end of the café, which is about ten feet from the door, sits the espresso machine, grinders, and a platter stacked with homemade pastries. With such a small business, one cannot help but wonder how David manages to make a living, being only open from 7 am to 1 pm. “The thing that keeps me going is the low overhead and the people. I stay downtown because I like the folks that come in here. It’s like a mini Cheers, where everybody knows your name” David has gathered quite a regular crowd from the courthouse and neighboring
Downtown Stockton Alliance 209.464.5246
David Qualls, the owner of Blackwater Downtown. Photo by DSA
offices. “The business also allows me a lot of free time. You couldn’t pay me enough to give that up,” explains David. Yet, these are not the only reasons why Blackwater Café Downtown will continue with its regular service for years to come. The main reason David has stayed in business these past 15 years is the coffee. Each item on the menu is made with care, using all organic, fair trade coffees, and only real chocolates and caramels as opposed to syrups. It’s that along with the free psychoanalysis, another menu item, that keeps the patrons coming in. R www.downtownstockton.org