Sushi News
Sushi restaurant starring ex-Nobu chef to open near Dallas' Knox Street
A promising new sushi restaurant is opening near the Knox Street District this summer: Called Pearl, it's from Chef Shine Tamaoki, and will open at 4640 McKinney Ave. #130.
In addition to dine in, the restaurant will have a fun feature: takeout through a dedicated sushi window.
Born in Yamanashi, Japan, Shine was previously a chef at Nobu Dallas where he worked for seven years and where he met Todd Landis, a lawyer and sushi aficionado who is his partner in this venture.
"When I first met Shine, I was immediately impressed with how he was able to make raw fish so approachable to my daughter, Naomi,” Landis says in a release. "She’s now 10 years old and she’s tried up to 57 different types of fish. When I heard about Shine’s dream of opening a sushi restaurant, I knew I had to get involved somehow.”
At Pearl, Shine plans to follow Japanese traditions with a progressive approach to sushi.
“Being Japanese and living here in the States, I can see the difference in palate," Tamaoki says. "I realized I can bridge the gap while still preserving traditional fundamentals in sushi."
All of the items on the menu will feature traditional Japanese preparations with the exception of one roll incorporating Philadelphia cream cheese, an ode to Landis, who is from Philadelphia.
He'll also incorporate flavors from his hometown Yamanashi, which he says is known for the best plums and grapes produced in Japan.
In addition to sushi, the menu at Pearl will feature shared plates, salads, and hot dishes.
"My vision for guests is to enjoy family style dining, however if someone wants to dine alone and enjoy a sushi roll, oysters and a cocktail we will also have a menu and ambience to accommodate that as well," Tamaoki says.
They'll host omakase dinners once a month, but will also make omakase any day of the week. The beverage program will include classic cocktails as well as unique cocktails highlighting Japanese flavors. Sake, wine, and beer will also be available.