Few hospitality companies have managed to feature history, architecture, and culinary ambition as cohesively as Boulevard Hospitality Group. Under CEO Freddy Braidi, BHG has become a force that is changing entire cultural destinations across the country. Today, BHG venues span Los Angeles, Orange County, and now Miami, each holding Braidi’s distinctive approach to experience.
For instance, the recent launch of Yamashiro Miami is a significant milestone for the company, representing its largest undertaking and its first expansion outside California. Located on top of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences, the 9,000-square-foot restaurant brings the century-old spirit of the iconic Yamashiro Hollywood to the East Coast. Miami’s expanding culinary scene introduces a fully formed cultural import backed by more than 100 years of West Coast history and a hospitality group intent on preserving it.
The original Yamashiro Hollywood is an official “Historic Resource” in Los Angeles that is famous for its Japanese-inspired architecture, hillside views, and celebrity guests ranging from Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes to modern-day film and music stars. For decades, it has been a place where architecture and landscape present an otherworldly dining experience. Under BHG’s leadership, Yamashiro has been maintained and revitalized, its culinary program led by Executive Chef Jae Hee Lee, and its grounds preserved to protect what Angelenos view as an irreplaceable part of the city.
The Miami restaurant adapts Yamashiro to a new coastal environment. Featuring bonsai trees, fire pits, water features, and a bar modeled after a Japanese temple, Yamashiro Miami reflects many of the visual signatures of its Hollywood counterpart. Partner and Chef Charbel Hayek, working alongside Executive Chef Gustavo Montes, created a menu that respects the traditional Yamashiro dishes like black cod, wagyu tomahawk, and Maine lobster tempura, yet introduces new items that respond to the region’s seafood-rich culture. The beverage program, featuring Japanese spirits and premium sake, draws in late-night crowds as much as formal diners.
While Yamashiro Miami is garnering national attention, it is only one part of a bigger strategic expansion for BHG. In Los Angeles, its work at the TCL Chinese Theatre shows a commitment to venues that have historic weight. Yet it is the Kodō Hotel and Restaurant in the Arts District that perhaps best encapsulates Braidi’s approach. Housed in a repurposed 1920s fire station, the boutique hotel combines industrial architecture with Japanese minimalism. Below it, Kodō Restaurant offers a refined bistro experience where sushi, small plates, and cocktails are served in an intimate setting. The project represents the recurring BHG pattern of taking a structure with a story and allowing it to evolve under a new framework.
Rokusho LA on the Sunset Strip also demonstrates the company’s ability to introduce contemporary concepts without losing a sense of place. Through a collaboration with Three Star Lane, BHG developed a sleek restaurant led by Head Chef Carlos Couts. Here, the Sushi Cake, Gindara Saikyo Yaki, and live-prepared nigiri are supported by rare sake and wines. The venue has become a standout in the Los Angeles dining scene, showing BHG’s momentum as it widens its stylistic range.
In late 2025, BHG also debuted Ilya Restaurant in San Clemente, a Mediterranean concept from Chef Charbel Hayek. Ilya features menu items like mezze spreads, lobster spaghetti, raw dishes, wood-fired seafood, and Australian lamb. Its laid-back coastal atmosphere, paired with an ability to host private events and celebrations, makes Ilya an important part of BHG’s portfolio.
As Boulevard Hospitality Group enters a new era with Miami as its launching point for national growth, the company has proven itself adept at revitalizing historical landmarks and maintaining their authenticity. More importantly, it has shown that American hospitality still has room for artistry and culture.
In the years ahead, BHG’s impact will be measured by the high standards it sets. For more information about Boulevard Hospitality Group, visit https://boulevardhg.com/.
