12-02-2025
Waterfront restaurant family taking over former Miyabi 9 space
Nick Hanke, a son of the family who owns the local Waterfront restaurants, is starting his own venture at the former Miyabi 9 location in the East Village.
Driving the news: Hanke is opening Masao — a sushi and modern French restaurant this May.
Don't expect fusion foods — Hanke tells Axios he prefers to view them more as "pairings" with each other.
Hanke says the name Masao is a nod to the former Miyabi 9 owner, Mike Miyabi, whose Japanese name is Masao.
How it started: Hanke says he trained under Miyabi nearly 20 years ago, and Miyabi helped him learn the ins and outs of sushi — a popular dish at the Waterfront restaurants.
When Miyabi decided to retire, Hanke wanted to purchase the restaurant but wasn't ready for it.
A former employee took over Miyabi 9 in 2022, but it closed again last year. This time, Hanke decided to jump on the opportunity.
State of play: Since November, Hanke says, he's been cleaning and renovating the space, including ripping out deteriorating wood and adding new kitchen equipment.
The restaurant will still offer a more intimate space, with only 12 tables, but diners can expect updated furnishings and finishes, including a "juxtaposition" between Japanese and French decor.
And while the menu isn't fully fleshed out yet, expect surf, air and turf, including sushi, lamb and duck dishes.
