Star chefs plan waterfront opening for Japanese restaurant in Palm Beach County

A waterfront Palm Beach County resort has announced it will soon welcome a second restaurant to its property helmed by two Chicago chefs.

This week James Beard award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi and chef/restaurateur Jonathan Fox say they will bring their Japanese concept, Kasumi, to the Waterstone Resort & Marina in Boca Raton.

Slated to open in September, the restaurant will introduce to South Florida the duo's contemporary approach to omotenashi — the Japanese art of hospitality where meticulous attention to detail shapes the dining experience.

Three years in the making, Kasumi is the result of Yagihashi and Fox's longtime friendship and a culmination of the duo's combined 60-plus years in the hospitality industry.

Successful Chicago chefs brainstormed Japanese restaurant concept they are bringing to Palm Beach County

A native of Mito, Japan, Yagihashi — whose namesake Bucktown restaurant received a Michelin star in 2010 before closing in 2014 — is best known for his unique approach to Japanese cuisine. The chef, whose accolades include a spot on Food and Wine's 2003 "Best New Chefs" and James Beard's 2000 pick for "Best Chef Midwest," has been lauded for his melding of contemporary French, Asian, and American techniques.

Likewise, Fox's three-decade-long culinary career has spanned the launch of dozens of successful dining concepts, including Chicago-based Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery Café, Papagus Greek Taverna, and La Madia.

The two chefs reconnected in 2019 after opening separate restaurants inside Chicago's Wells Street Market food hall. While navigating their businesses through the pandemic, they began brainstorming ideas for a concept that would bring both their visions to life.

"We wanted to take this beautiful space, and bring our vision to Boca Raton," says Fox. "Kasumi is built on tradition, melded with our mutual classically-trained backgrounds. That's where our partnership really shines. It's our tribute to the art of Japanese cuisine."

A rare waterfront restaurant opening ahead for Boca Raton

When it opens, the restaurant will also offer something special for the city: a second waterfront restaurant.

Situated on an Intracoastal perch at the entrance to the Boca Inlet, the Waterstone is home to one of the city's only restaurants offering uninterrupted water views: SeaSpray Inlet Grill. The restaurant debuted in 2021, following an extensive half-million dollar renovation of the resort.

To execute the menu, both Yagihashi and Fox will be joined by Kasumi head chef and master sushi chef, Toyoji Hemmi, who will helm the restaurant's 9-seat chef's counter.

Available at the bar or a la carte, a menu of sushi and sashimi will highlight both locally-sourced seafood and fish flown in from Japan. Moving forward, the restaurant will also offer the chefs' take on an omakase-style dining experience.

Kasumi stands as yet another upscale hotel dining destination for both traveling foodies and South Florida locals, what has become a growing trend in Palm Beach County.

Earlier this week, Delray Beach's Seagate Resort announced it would soon be welcoming Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak. The news follows the 2021 announcement that The Boca Raton had joined forces with Major Food Group, bringing four restaurants to the property with the opening of Sadelle’s, Flamingo Grill, Principessa Ristorante, and the Japanese Bocce Club.

Likewise, the PGA National Resort welcomed The Butcher's Club by James Beard award-winning Miami chef Jeremy Ford, the newly-renovated Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel welcomed a second Meat Market location, and the Marriott on Singer Island debuted ONA Coastal Cuisine.

"This has been a long time coming, and we're excited to finally bring this vision to life in South Florida, and be a part of this community," sums up Yagihashi.

Nicole Danna is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New waterfront Japanese restaurant Kasumi to open in Boca Raton