Owner Toshi Kihara has opened a sister restaurant to his 10-year-old Hamasaku. The new space on Melrose stands at the former Ma Maison location, where he started his career alongside Wolfgang Puck more than 25 years ago. The space was most recently the short-lived Kumo restaurant, and has transformed to Hamasaku Melrose, still serving Japanese fare.
Though the space has not changed its look from the Kumo days—white walls, tables and bars, and dark blue floors—some visual elements are new. Art pieces, a silent vertical waterfall, and Murano-glass bubble chandeliers are sporadically placed alongside five plasma screens showing animated colorful images of the four seasons.
The venue features a private dining room for 12. Full buyouts are available Sunday through Thursday with a capacity of 125 for receptions.
