Get ready, Scottsdale. James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole is bringing Uchi to the area, offering his stunning takes on non-traditional Japanese cuisine, sushi, and the seasonal omakase for which he is known.
The highly-anticipated restaurant will open on Feb. 1 at 3821 N. Scottsdale Road (Scottsdale Road and 1st Street in Old Town Scottsdale) in the former Bandera restaurant space.
Cole created the original Uchi location (the name means "house" in Japanese) in a refurbished South Austin, Texas bungalow in 2003. His vision was to bring the intimacy and collaboration of the sushi bar experience to every table in the restaurant. The menu offered his innovative takes on sushi and signature dishes, including a variety of hot and cool tastings, sushi and sashimi, makimono, yakimono, tempura, and an ever-changing omakase (or chef’s choice menu) based on seasonal items.
And while the Scottsdale menu will include several favorites from the Austin location, it will also include several new items unique to the area, including Lamb Sirloin with roast kabocha puree, cranberry ginger relish, and spicy pickled kabocha, and Masu Crudo made with ocean trout, Japanese sweet potato, makrut lime leaf or Wagyu Carpaccio.
"As a fellow chef here in the Southwest, I've always appreciated the vibrant culinary scene in Scottsdale, and the growth over the past few years has truly been incredible,” Cole says. “We spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect spot to bring Uchi to Scottsdale, and I know our entire team is so excited to finally reveal the results of all of our planning and hard work over the past year plus of getting ready. Most of all, I'd like to thank all the local chefs and the restaurant community here, who have been so supportive and welcoming us to Arizona."
The restaurant will be open for happy hour and dinner daily, and will offer seating for 207. The space, which includes a patio and bar, was transformed using a sculptural wood ceiling inspired by Southwestern ramadas, and is accented with artwork and lighting from local and national artists. There is a sculptural wood and neon piece by Steve Jones and a Raku pot by Jeffrey Perkins, both from Art One Gallery in Scottsdale, as well as custom feature tables by Solido, wall sconces by Haru Studio and Zach Lihatsh, and a custom entry bench by Tucson-based, Sam Okerlund.
Uchi marks Hai Hospitality's first concept in Arizona. The Austin-based restaurant group is behind Uchi, Uchiko, Uchibā and LORO Asian Smokehouse & Bar. A soft-opening from Jan. 25-30 benefits numerous local charities, including HonorHealth, The Joy Bus, Phoenix Rescue Mission and St. Mary’s Food Bank.
