James Beard-Nominated Chefs Launch New Sarasota Restaurant Concept

Renowned James Beard Award-nominated chefs are expanding their culinary footprint in Sarasota, Florida. Following the recent launch of Zōtō, a Japanese restaurant, the duo will unveil their new concept, Yūgen, this December.

Yūgen: A Unique Dining Experience

Yūgen will be located at 190 N. Cattlemen Road in University Town Center. This exclusive venue features a 1,000-square-foot hidden dining room, accommodating ten guests in an omakase-style setting. The term “omakase” translates to “I’ll leave it up to you,” emphasizing the chef’s creative freedom.

Meet the Chefs Behind Yūgen

Jimmy and Johnny Tung, the minds behind Yūgen and Zōtō, were semifinalists for the Outstanding Restaurateur category at the 2023 James Beard Awards. Their experience includes notable restaurants like Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi and the acclaimed Kōsen in Tampa. Kōsen has received a Michelin star for two consecutive years and features a chef’s counter, prompting local demand for a similar experience in Sarasota.

A Culinary Journey with Chef Atsushi Okawara

The creative force behind Yūgen’s menu is executive chef Atsushi Okawara, who hails from Iwate, Japan. Okawara’s impressive background includes working at Michelin-starred establishments like The Den in Miami Beach and Kenzo in Napa Valley. He aims to bring a kaiseki menu to Yūgen, highlighting various cooking techniques and flavors.

The Kaiseki Experience

Kaiseki represents a multi-course meal that goes beyond sushi. It focuses on providing an immersive dining experience that engages all senses. “Kaiseki allows me to showcase the full spectrum of Japanese cuisine,” Okawara noted. “The dining experience will still be about trust—leaving your evening in the hands of the chef.”

The Yūgen Team

• General Manager: Janet Kim, with experience from the Michelin three-star restaurant Masa in New York City.
• Sommeliers: Benjamin Coutts, winner of the 2023 Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier Award, will curate the wine and sake offerings.
• Beverage Director: Daniel Lugo, who also oversees the drink program at Zōtō.

Preview Week Invitation

Interested patrons can sign up for an exclusive invitation to a preview week by joining the waitlist at yugenfl.com.

For the latest updates, readers can subscribe to El-Balad. This new dining concept aims to enhance Sarasota’s food scene while providing an unforgettable culinary experience.