Chef Raheem Sealey and Forward Hospitality Group have debuted Asian smokehouse Shiso in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.
Behind the design of Shiso
The restaurant, crafted by House of L Designs, is a lesson in juxtaposition. Exposed concrete beams adorned with graffiti art sit alongside a luminous quartz stone bar. Glossy corridors reveal the character of weathered brick beneath, while serpentine banquettes frame sweeping views of Miami’s skyline, grounded by industrial concrete floors and ceilings.
“The graffiti art seen throughout the space tells the rich history of Wynwood,” explains Lambrini Palmieri-Schwartz, principal of House of L. “The inspiration came from blending Japanese street art and ‘tagging’ seen on the streets of Wynwood. We curated a collection of 30-plus [local] graffiti artists to bring the vision to life. These installations cover the walls and are even featured in the Harajuku-inspired bathroom, where bold anime art takes centerstage.”
The materials and color palette throughout the dining venue also capture the vibrancy of Miami. Deep jades, hot pinks, sandstone creams, and earthy browns are complemented by textures like shou sugi ban, a traditional Japanese charred wood, reflecting the wood-fired cooking technique central to chef Sealy’s cuisine.
The main dining room and rooftop
In the main dining room, an open kitchen invites guests to witness the culinary theater firsthand. Chandeliers illuminate intimate tables set against exposed brick and local murals, while a 15-seat chef’s counter offers a modern take on traditional omakase.
A standout feature is the bar, crafted entirely from backlit white quartz from Brazil. “I watched each slab painstakingly be carried up flights of stairs and perfectly placed and built,” reflects Palmieri-Schwartz. “When it was done and lit, it was a sign that the project had come to life. As a designer, you wait for those moments but aren’t ever sure at what stage they will come. The energy at that stage literally took my breath away.”
The restaurant’s aesthetic flows upstairs, where a street art mural leads to a 6,500-square-foot rooftop with panoramic views. Here, guests can dine in a 170-seat space featuring a racetrack-shaped bar with a retractable roof, semi-private dining cabanas, and a 2,000-square-foot garden with lush palm trees and greenery.
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