Pokéworks will celebrate the grand opening of its second Southern California restaurant in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, April 4, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Local owner Kevin Divel of Dana Point plans a festive “taste of the islands” celebration with a special Buy One, Get One free offer on any Pokéworks bowl per guest, leis for every guest, Hawaiian mocktails and free Dole Whip tastings. Additionally, Divel will donate a portion of the proceeds from the grand opening to Dana Point Youth Baseball.

Founded in 2015 with its first store in Midtown Manhattan, Pokéworks’ convenient and customizable menu is inspired by sustainable, seasonal and natural ingredients. Guests of all dietary restrictions, including those maintaining gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, as well as cooked or raw protein diets can enjoy build-your-own poke bowls, burritos or salads by selecting a base protein – tuna, salmon, chicken, shrimp, scallops and tofu – and then incorporating unique regional mix-ins, flavoring sauces, toppings and crunchy texture. Unlike other concepts, all seafood is hand-cut daily for rich and true flavor.

Featured on the menu now is the Spicy Sichuan Poke Bowl, created in partnership with Sheldon Simeon, an alumnus of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and the executive chef and owner of Maui’s renowned Tin Roof restaurant. The bowl draws inspiration from Simeon’s multi-cultural experience growing up and living in Hawaii and includes Sichuan peppercorn and red chili pepper sauce with honey-infused soy, over your favorite poke and topped spicy crushed peanuts.

The new Pokéworks in Laguna Niguel is located at 32371 Golden Lantern, Suite D, in the Ocean Ranch neighborhood. It will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Poke lovers in and around Laguna Niguel will quickly come to find that Pokéworks is substantially different than your typical fast-casual restaurant,” says Divel. “Our genuinely fresh ingredients, responsibly-sourced, hand-cut seafood and chef-curated sauces, makes Pokéworks the destination for fresh, fast, convenient and wholesomely delicious food. And people with specific lifestyle preferences, including vegan, high protein-low carb, keto, or vegetarian, especially love Pokéworks since all our bowls can be customized to meet their needs.”