As one of the most accomplished Japanese chefs in the United States, widely acclaimed for this namesake restaurant in Miami, Makoto Okuwa has opened his first restaurant in Colorado, the sushi master opting for the Grand Hyatt Vail to showcase his innovative take on traditional Japanese cuisine.
Designed by hospitality design firm HBA San Francisco (who we’ve previously featured for their work at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya), Makoto Vail honours the elegance of simplicity through bold and minimalist design while reflecting a synthesis of tradition and modernity with authenticity and a sense of place. Situated in the luxury ski-in/ski-out resort, the 110-seat restaurant is a sleek spot from which to enjoy the acclaimed chef’s edamame, sushi, sashimi, premium steaks and more.
Interiors harmoniously combine with accents of wabi-sabi character and natural forms in a palette informed by Vail’s stunning natural landscape along the banks of Gore Creek at the base of Vail Mountain. An all-wood aesthetic with dark metal balances warmth and simplicity within the clean interior architecture, Senior Designer Joelle Henning telling us “we sought to create a design that blends with the surrounding landscape and celebrates the perfectly imperfect shapes sculpted by nature. Like the philosophy of Japanese cuisine, the overall expression of the interiors is simplistic, pure and refined, where minimalism is an art form, the essence of the material boldly shines, and the breathtaking Alpine views draw the eye.”
Upon arrival, diners will spot large shoji screens that offer a filtered glimpse into the experience within. Once inside, white oak envelops the bar and lounge space establishing a feeling of mountainside tranquility. A large-scale original work by artist Jacob Hashimoto, commissioned by Kevin Barry Art Advisory, serves as a centrepiece, taking the form of a dynamic installation composed of paper and string; an abstract nod to the surrounding Gore Range in the Rocky Mountains, and fully embracing the wabi-sabi design narrative.
A restaurant to devour divine delights amid decadently designed surrounds, Makoto Vail is a destination restaurant for this exclusive town that is sure to solidify Makoto Okuwa’s reputation as one of the country’s most sought after chefs.
@makotovail
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Makoto Vail Photography, Noah Webb.
