NASHVILLE (March 5, 2019) – This fall, San Francisco Bay Area Chef Ken Tominaga and award-winning MINA Group are set to debut a third location of their highly-successful partnership, PABU. With existing locations in San Francisco and Boston, the modern izakaya and sushi bar will be MINA Group’s second project at the recently opened JW Marriott in Downtown Nashville. Following the recent opening of BOURBON STEAK on the luxury property’s 34th floor, PABU will offer locals and hotel guests a new dining destination at the street level.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Chef Mina and MINA Group to bring our beloved concept of PABU to life in a new city,” says Chef Tominaga. “PABU offers a sophisticated take on a style of cuisine that I’ve been passionate about my entire life, and we are excited to partner with the JW Marriott Nashville to bring Japan’s highest standards of ingredients, technique, and quality to Music City.”
Under the direction of Chef Tominaga, PABU Nashville will offer high-caliber Japanese cuisine, featuring a contemporary take on traditional dining options from Japan including an elevated sushi bar, izakaya, and robata grill. Fish will be flown in from Japan, and the light and fresh fare will include a selection of sashimi, nigiri and tartare. On the beverage front, the restaurant will bring Nashville a lively bar and happy hour featuring their signature Japanese whisky program, premium and super premium sakes, and a curated assortment of Japanese beers.
“I’ve been enjoying Ken’s food for more than 20 years,” says Chef Mina. “He embodies the true cuisine of Japan, and serves the highest quality nigiri and products from Japan in a modern way. I can’t wait to bring this concept to Nashville.”
Designed by ROY, PABU’s design will embody the spirit of an izakaya style drinking house with a modern twist. The environment will feature a bright Tokyo inspired color palette and a playful homage to 60’s Japanese pop bands that will fit right into the vibrant Nashville scene. Located on the ground level of the property, the restaurant will offer street access to locals and will feature an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.
PABU San Francisco opened in 2014 and quickly became a destination for both local and national celebrities and athletes. PABU Boston opened in 2016 in the Downtown Crossing neighborhood and continues to have one of the most vibrant happy hours and dining rooms in the city. PABU Nashville is slated to open its doors at the JW Marriott in fall 2019. For the latest updates, please follow along at @jwmarriottnashville and @chefmichaelmina.
ABOUT MINA GROUP
MINA Group is a San Francisco-based restaurant management company specializing in creating and operating upscale, innovative restaurant concepts. MINA Group is led by Chef/Founder Michael Mina whose accolades include James Beard Foundation “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage” inductee in 2013, Bon Appétit Chef of the Year, San Francisco Magazine Chef of the Year, and International Food and Beverage Forum’s Restaurateur of the Year. Operating since 2003, MINA Group currently manages over 40 restaurants including ARCADIA in San Jose; BARDOT BRASSERIE in Las Vegas; BOURBON STEAK in DC, Glendale, Miami, Nashville, Orange County, Santa Clara and Scottsdale; BOURBON PUB and MICHAEL MINA’s TAILGATE in Santa Clara; CAL MARE in Los Angeles and Springfield; CLOCK BAR in San Francisco; INTERNATIONAL SMOKE in San Francisco, Houston and Aventura; LOCALE MARKET and FARMTABLE KITCHEN in St Petersburg, Florida; MARGEAUX BRASSERIE and PETIT MARGEAUX in Chicago; MICHAEL MINA in San Francisco and Las Vegas; MINA BRASSERIE in Dubai; MINA’S FISH HOUSE in Oahu; PABU in San Francisco and Boston; PIZZA & BURGER in Miami Beach; PRIME GRILL in Dubai; PUB 1842 in Las Vegas; RN74 in Seattle; STRIPSTEAK in Las Vegas, Miami Beach and Waikiki; THE HANDLE BAR in Jackson Hole; THE RAMEN BAR in San Francisco; THE STREET: A MICHAEL MINA SOCIAL HOUSE in Waikiki, and TRAILBLAZER TAVERN in San Francisco. For a complete list of restaurants please visit http://michaelmina.net. Follow Michael Mina on Facebook at Michael Mina, and on Instagram and Twitter at @ChefMichaelMina.