The best nightlife in Tokyo can be found in the Shibuya and Shinjuku neighborhoods. Shibuya is arguably the heart and soul of Tokyo and a lively hub filled with countless restaurants, boutiques, bars, clubs, arcades, and karaoke bars. Shinjuku, which is only a few stops away on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line, is also bustling with izakayas, beer bars, and red-light entertainment.

It all sounds great until you remember that Tokyo is over 7,000 miles away from St. Pete. It’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world.

This summer, save the $2,000 airfare and experience Tokyo nights at Good Fortune, an Asian fusion restaurant and bar coming soon to the first floor of the iconic Station House at 260 1st Avenue South in downtown St. Pete.

Good Fortune is the latest concept from Stephen Schrutt, Founder and CEO of Hunger Thirst Group, who owns and operates some of St. Pete’s most popular restaurants and bars such as The Avenue, Park & Rec, No Vacancy, and Dirty Laundry.

“The Station House building is a landmark in downtown St. Petersburg and a well-known co-work and event space,” said Schrutt. “It’s centrally located and walkable for residents and people who work close by. Since the pandemic, there hasn't been a restaurant on the ground floor, and I look forward to revitalizing the space and bringing my vision to life.”

Good Fortune’s 6,000 square foot open-style space, which was previously home to Ichicoro Ane, will feature dining tables for guests, a 12-person sushi bar, a 14-seat bar and cocktail lounge, a private karaoke room, and an outdoor patio.

Good Fortune will serve sushi and a variety of Asian dishes with specialty drinks, including Japanese whiskeys and different styles of sake, beers, wine, and bubbles. 

The Asian-inspired drink menu will consist of cocktails like Liquid Swords, a combination of Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whisky, Lapsang Foro Amaro, house-spiced demerara sugar, bitters, and smoke. The Kyoto Coffee Martini is twist on one of the most popular cocktails in recent years made with Zubrowka Vodka, vanilla, lavender, Kyoto coffee, and cream.

A menu of small plates will have selections such as Crispy Spicy Tuna consisting of crispy sushi rice with a seaweed salad purée topped with spicy tuna and sriracha mayo. Another small plate selection will be the house-made Szechuan dumplings with a pork and chive filling in a spicy chili crisp.

Larger-portioned entrees will also be available like the Miso Marinated Seabass in a traditional spicy Thai fish sauce and served over grilled box chow and a creamy celery root purée.

For dessert, check out the Coconut Ube Layer Cake which is two layers of sweet ube custard cake with a coconut buttercream and toasted coconut flakes. Ube is a purple yam with a mellow, nutty, vanilla-like flavor which is popular in Philippine cuisine.

Schrutt began conceptualizing Good Fortune over a decade ago.

“Back in 2009 and prior to me moving to St. Pete, I wanted to do a sushi concept in Tampa with a good friend of mine who is a sushi chef,” said Schrutt. “It never came to fruition, but it was something I’ve always wanted to make happen. I was waiting for the right time and location.”

Design and buildout of the space began months ago. Hunger Thirst Group is working with Anthony Freese on branding and art, Mahoney Designs for interior design, Elvvang & Co for project management and buildout. Wood & Bar and Southern Landscape Solutions have also assisted in bringing St. Pete’s newest restaurant and bar to life.

Good Fortune will have an upbeat vibe and be a great destination to enjoy for lunch, cocktails after work, or while dressed up for a weekend night out for food, drinks, and fun.

“We want to create a place that’s well-rounded and approachable with delicious food and drinks,” said Schrutt. “My goal is to make going out for food and drinks fun. Having fun with people you care about is what life should be about, and I want to make sure we provide that experience for people."

Good Fortune opens this summer at 260 1st Avenue South on the ground floor of Station House in downtown St. Pete. Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date.