Freddy Braidy Takes on Miami

When Yamashiro Miami opens its doors on November 15, 2025, it will be the continuation of a story that is over a century in the making. Known for its Japanese cuisine and unmistakable architecture, Yamashiro has been a cultural landmark in Los Angeles for years. Now, under the leadership of hospitality leader Freddy Braidy, the brand is expanding to Miami.

Yamashiro was first established in the early 1900s in the Hollywood Hills. First an ornate Japanese estate, the restaurant became famous for its cuisine and sweeping views of Los Angeles. Over the decades, Yamashiro became a beloved destination where Hollywood’s past and present intertwined. It hosted celebrities, film shoots, and generations of locals and travelers who wanted to experience the romance of a hilltop escape that was as much about atmosphere as it was about food. Today, Yamashiro Hollywood is officially recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a “Historic Resource,” a designation reserved for sites of cultural, aesthetic, and historic significance.

The Miami opening represents the brand’s first major expansion into another U.S. city, and it promises to honor Yamashiro’s heritage while embracing Miami’s distinctive energy. Its menu is led by Chef Charbel and Chef Gustavo, two accomplished culinary leaders with decades of experience in fine dining. Their techniques are based in traditional Japanese techniques, but with a willingness to adapt to Miami’s eclectic palate. From them, diners can expect dishes that highlight the precision of Japanese cuisine while incorporating seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Among the signature offerings are wagyu tomahawk, yuzu saiko black cod with its balance of sweetness and citrus brightness, toro tartare, robata selections grilled over Japanese charcoal, and a Maine lobster tempura.

The menu is meant to evolve alongside Miami’s dining landscape, reflecting the city’s abundance of fresh seafood and international influences. To complement the food, Yamashiro Miami will also feature a unique beverage program that will offer specialty cocktails, fine wines, and premium sake. Each drink is made with the same emphasis on precision as the food, guaranteeing that the dining experience is immersive from the first sip to the final bite.

The setting for this new venture is also impressive. Located at 159 NE 6th Street, Yamashiro Miami is designed to be both a restaurant and an event destination. With skyline views and a refined, modern ambiance, the space draws inspiration from its Hollywood counterpart while reflecting Miami’s sleek, energetic spirit. Here, guests will find versatile spaces that can accommodate everything from intimate dinners to large private gatherings. The restaurant will offer customizable event packages for birthdays, weddings, corporate functions, and film shoots, including multi-course menus, cocktail-style receptions, and even full restaurant buyouts. This flexibility underscores Yamashiro Miami’s intention to become a place where food, atmosphere, and celebration work together.

The man guiding this ambitious expansion is Freddy Braidy, founder and CEO of Boulevard Hospitality Group (BHG). For decades, Braidy has lived and worked in Hollywood, shaping experiences that extend beyond the silver screen. His background in the film industry taught him the power of atmosphere, and he has applied those lessons to hospitality. Braidy has built a portfolio of restaurants, hotels, and cultural landmarks that invite guests to step into captivating environments.

One of Braidy’s most significant achievements was revitalizing the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre, ensuring that the Hollywood landmark remained a vibrant part of the city’s cultural identity. He also transformed a 1920s fire station into the Kodō Hotel & Restaurant, a project that combined historic preservation with modern luxury. At the center of his hospitality work, however, is Yamashiro Hollywood. Under Braidy’s leadership, the restaurant has flourished. Executive Chef Jae Hee Lee has elevated the menu with modern Japanese cuisine, while the property itself continues to be an architectural marvel and meeting point. 

Braidy sees Yamashiro Miami as the natural next step. His goal is to bring the magic of Yamashiro to a city that thrives on reinvention and global influence. For him, Miami offers the perfect canvas. The city has emerged in recent years as one of the country’s leading culinary destinations, attracting top chefs and international concepts. With its mix of cultures and flavors, Miami is an ideal home for Yamashiro. And as the city continues to attract international attention, it is embracing restaurants that provide immersive experiences. Yamashiro Miami is ready to answer that demand, offering an evening that is at once intimate and grand, familiar and new.

As the November 15th opening approaches, anticipation is building. For Freddy Braidy and Boulevard Hospitality Group, Yamashiro Miami honors the original Yamashiro’s history while creating something distinctly Miami. In bringing Yamashiro to Florida, Braidy is creating a new landmark that builds on the past but looks firmly toward the future. The legacy of Yamashiro Hollywood will always stand on the hills of Los Angeles, but starting this fall, its spirit will rise again in the skyline of Miami.