Pabu, an Izakaya From Chefs Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga, Is Coming to Nashville

Michael Mina is embarking on his second Nashville project with Pabu — an izayaka and high-end sushi bar. The Mina Group and San Francisco Bay Area Chef Ken Tominaga aim to open Pabu on the street level of the JW Marriott in Downtown Nashville sometime this fall.

With Chef Tominaga at the helm, Pabu Nashville will serve “high caliber Japanese cuisine,” including a high-end sushi bar with sashimi and nigiri selections, featuring fish flown in from Japan. Izakaya and robata grill offerings add more options to their contemporary take on traditional Japanese dining options.

On the beverage front, Pabu 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.

Located on the street level of the luxury hotel and designed by ROY, Pabu Nashville will embody the spirit of an izakaya-style drinking house with a modern twist. The space will feature a vibrant Tokyo-inspired color palette and a playful homage to 60’s Japanese pop bands. Pabu will offer street access to locals and feature an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.

This will be the third location of Pabu — the others are in San Francisco and Boston. 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. A Baltimore location shuttered in 2014.

In the fall of last year, the Mina Group opened Bourbon Steak on the luxury hotel’s 34th floor.

Pabu Nashville is set to open its doors at the JW Marriott in fall 2019. For the latest updates, follow along on Instagram at @jwmarriottnashville and @chefmichaelmina.

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