Seminole Hard Rock Opening Japanese Restaurant Kuro

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood is opening a new restaurant next year, and apparently it’s something to get excited about. In a few months, the resort will be welcoming a glamourous new dining concept with the grand opening of its Japanese restaurant, Kuro.

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This January, the resort will unveil Kuro, what is being billed as a sophisticated and interactive Japanese restaurant that will offer newcomer and executive chef Alex Becker’s “new style” Japanese cuisine.

The multimillion-dollar buildout includes a complete custom job and renovation of the Seminole’s lobby bar, as well as an update to the nearby pool deck and patio area that will be accessible from Kuro.

Becker, 37 years old, began his career at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Gardenia in Caluso, Italy, and has experience with two of the world’s most respected Asian restaurant concepts, Nobu and Katsuya.

As the resort’s creative culinary director, Becker said he has had a large part in shaping Kuro’s concept and menu, which will feature contemporary creations applying classic Japanese techniques. He’ll be working alongside executive sushi chef Shuji Hiyakawa, formerly of the Morimoto restaurant group.

According to Justin Wyborn, vice president of food and beverage for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, the opening of Kuro will signal a major step forward for the resort’s culinary offerings. Before arriving at the Hard Rock 18 months ago, he was part of a team that helped reshape the culinary offerings at a casino in Australia, which included a branch of New York chef David Chang’s Momofuku. The overhaul is similar to what is going on at Hollywood’s Seminole.

“[Chef Alex Becker] is a visionary with amazing culinary technique,” said Wyborn. “We’re very lucky to work with such an incredible talent to help elevate Kuro [to offer what we see as the] next level of new-style Japanese dining.”

Kuro — Japanese for “black” — is currently under construction. It will be a large space with seating for up to 240 guests and will feature a sushi bar, two private dining areas, outdoor seating, and a large open dining room with views of the resort pool. The interior is being designed by David Mexico, who is best-known for detailing Bobby Flay’s Bar American, as well as several Nobu locations.

Expect the menu to offer specialty sourced products imported directly from Japan; the chefs will craft “unique culinary creations that are grounded in tradition, yet progressive in concept and execution.”

And expect it to be pricey: the average per-person check at Kuro will be $90, according to Wyborn.

A wide-ranging wine, beer, and sake menu, as well as an impressive array of Japanese whiskeys. A selection of handcrafted signature cocktails will use fresh ingredients in contemporary recipes with hints of Japanese flavors.

Kuro will be located at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood. Call 954-327-7625.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate’s Instagram.

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