The Beverage Licensing Authority on Dec. 18 approved a new hotel‑restaurant liquor license for Yakitori Gorahi LLC, a proposed yakitori‑style restaurant at 2250 Pearl Street, subject to conditions requiring a fleshed‑out alcohol policy and an updated licensed‑premises map.

Owner Troy Bush and consultant Eva Garretson of Liquor Licensing Professionals described the restaurant concept as small‑plates, mostly tableside service with limited bar service and a fenced patio. Bush said the operation will focus on beer, wine, sake and limited whiskeys and highballs to pair with grilled skewers and small plates.

Garretson presented petitioning results showing 99 percent support among contacted residents and businesses in the defined area and described the methodology and sample sizes used for the needs‑and‑desires petition.

Board members asked detailed questions about staffing levels, training and site layout. Bush said staff would be trained through TIPS and will maintain a written employee manual; he also said the restaurant will check IDs for all alcohol orders and refuse expired or vertical IDs. Members said the current draft alcohol policy included in the packet was insufficient and instructed the applicant to provide a more complete policy, and to supply an updated premises drawing that clearly identifies liquor storage, seating capacity and the liquor bar’s position.

Member Absalom moved to approve the license with the two specified conditions; Member Carr seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3–0). The authority said the conditions must be met by the board’s January hearing, and licensing staff will follow up with specific deadlines and a packet submission schedule.