Known in South Florida for founding KYU Miami (which closed before reopening under new ownership), Chef Michael Lewis is preparing to make a comeback in the area. The chef is bringing his Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse concept, which he founded in Asheville, North Carolina, to Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk, according to coverage by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The restaurant (which Lewis describes as a kind of “sister” to KYU in the Sun-Sentinel coverage) features a recognizable, distinctive Asian influence. That means that, alongside dishes like Smoked Brisket and Smoked Carolina Pork Shoulder, you also find choices like Veggie Ramen, Crispy Pork, Pork Belly Tonkotsu, and Miso Grilled Seasonal Mushrooms.
“UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse is a unique concept created as a collaboration between a group of friends,” says the Ukiah website. “James Beard Nominated Chef Michael Lewis, Steven Haigh and Lizzy Maynes, (Kyu, Zuma) joined forces with seasoned restaurateur Michael Sponaugle to create a neighborhood restaurant serving Japanese soul food mixed with American BBQ. “
What Now reached out to Michael Lewis on Thursday to inquire about plans for the rollout (the Sun-Sentinel says simply “Spring 2025”). Lewis was not immediately available for comment.
Get ready for the South Florida arrival of Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, which is “capturing the essence of Japanese street food alongside Lewis’s passion for American BBQ.”
You can keep up with Ukiah news by following @ukiahrestaurant on Instagram.
