Kojo Modern Asian Restaurant Opens at Central Park

Modern Asian restaurant Kojo is set to begin serving guests in downtown St. Petersburg this weekend. The venue will hold a soft opening on Friday, November 13, at 5 p.m. on the third floor of Central Park, located at 551 Central Avenue. The restaurant marks the final addition to the food hall's lineup of dining establishments.

Although plans for a second Kojo location in St. Petersburg were announced in 2021, the opening has been delayed for more than five years. Hi Hospitality Group, which developed Central Park, is now ready to welcome diners to its newest concept. Reservations for the restaurant can be secured through the platform Resy.

The establishment offers a full-service dining experience, a departure from the fast-casual options available on the food hall's lower levels. The dining room and kitchen counter can accommodate approximately 115 guests. The culinary focus is on modern Asian cuisine, blending flavors from Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan.

Robert Castellon, Director of Operations at Hi Hospitality Group, stated that the return to full-service dining aligns with the company's core expertise. He noted that the food hall format allowed guests to curate their own experiences, but the new restaurant brings the team back to its comfort zone.

The menu features a variety of shareable appetizers, including shrimp and pork gyoza, truffled chicken wontons, and crispy chicken wings with a Sichuan soy glaze. Other starters include a tuna pizza served on a crispy tortilla with truffle ponzu mayo, as well as crispy rice topped with fatty tuna, green chile, and yuzu.

One of the more distinctive items on the menu is the crispy nori taco, which substitutes fried seaweed for a traditional tortilla. These tacos are available in four varieties, filled with spicy tuna, torched salmon, Hokkaido scallops, or maitake mushrooms. Sushi enthusiasts will also find maki rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, including a Kojo Roll with spicy tuna and torched salmon.

Heartier main dishes include Shanghai noodles with seared pork and shiitake mushrooms, miso black cod, and gochujang-glazed lamb chops. The restaurant also serves several cuts of wagyu beef, ranging from skirt steak and ribeye to a 48-ounce tomahawk.

The beverage program features an extensive sake collection alongside Japanese whiskies, wine, beer, and specialty cocktails. Silvia Fridegotto, Beverage Director at Hi Hospitality Group, explained that the St. Petersburg menu upgrades recipes from the original Sarasota location. The bar team has incorporated new techniques such as forced carbonation and clarification, resulting in drinks like a Lychee Martini and a Modern Mai Tai made with five-spice-infused Jamaican rum.

Adjacent to Kojo is Bar Hana, a tropical-inspired bar that will offer outdoor seating with rooftop views. While an opening date for Bar Hana has not yet been announced, Castellon expects the two concepts to work together. In Sarasota, guests frequently visit both locations during the same evening, creating a one-stop experience for dinner and drinks.

Central Park, a 27,700-square-foot venue, debuted earlier this year and has gradually opened its restaurants over the past nine months. The first floor now hosts seven food concepts, including Palm Avenue Deli and Constellation Burger. The second floor is home to dessert café Meadows and frozen cocktail bar 27 North, while the basement houses The Winfield, a 22-seat cocktail parlor. Following its debut, Kojo will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.