Nami Nori, the acclaimed Japanese temaki restaurant specializing in open-style hand rolls, has officially opened its doors in the neighborhood. The restaurant, which recently celebrated a private opening during Miami Art Week, is a two-floor concept, with signature Nami Nori offerings downstairs, and an expanded restaurant concept upstairs, Matsuyoi. Originating in New York City, Nami Nori offers approachable but elegant Japanese dining in a relaxed and intentional space.
Stepping into Nami Nori is like a palate cleanser for the senses. With interior design inspiration drawing from modern beach houses and minimalist Japanese residences, Nami Nori Design District is a layered wabi sabi style neutral space with accents of nature – think branch displays and large bouquets of dried flowers. Wood accents also round out the bouquets, dialing into the perfectly imperfect design style of Japan.
The downstairs menu is the culmination of culinary guidance from chef partners Chef Taka Sakaeda and Chef Jihan Lee. Seafood and vegetables are the stars of Nami Nori’s menu. Diners can enjoy a variety of hot and cold Japanese dishes from shishito peppers to caviar, and Nami Nori signature, starter, and vegetarian five-roll temaki sets, and of course, Nami Nori’s popular “Mochurros,” which are mochi-flavored churros served with lemon curd dipping sauce.
Upstairs, the 10-seat dining experience at new concept Matsuyoi is a multi-course menu led by Chef Taka Sakaeda. The menu is Chef driven and rooted in Nami Nori’s downstairs offerings. The food shift to a more intimate experience is intentional, with the aesthetics of the space complementing the change of energy. Where downstairs is a sunny beach house, upstairs is a moody moonlit night. The woods are darker stains, moving away from natural, organic beachwood into dark, mysterious shou sugi ban. Black terracotta tiles and deep green bar furniture add to the drama.
Nami Nori Design District and Matsuyoi are guided by the Launchpad Hospitality ethos of Guided by their shared commitment to and celebration of “omotenashi” (the Japanese art of gracious hospitality), and these outlets stand as the first projects that the company has opened with Grammy Award-Winning musician and creative director of Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams, who also happens to be a longtime friend of our neighborhood.
Nami Nori Design District 156 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137
