Takato, Japanese Korean Fusion Restaurant Transforms Gastronomy Landscape in Fort Lauderdale

Concept Takes Diners on a Poised Culinary Voyage Led by Executive Chef Taek LeeFormer Chef at Zuma, Makoto and Monkitail

Set in a light, abundantly lush and breezy backdrop, Takato brings unparalleled Japanese and Korean fusion to Fort Lauderdale for guests to enjoy an indoor, outdoor and open-air bar dining experience. The oceanfront sanctuary located steps from Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach delicately blends the beloved soul of Executive Chef Taek Lee’s ancestry and invites diners on a culinary journey through his Asian heritage.

The restaurant, which offers 60 seats indoors, 100 outdoors and eight at the exclusive sushi bar, is scheduled to open on October 15^th as a contemporary Asian restaurant with a vibrant dining experience in a tranquil setting. Takato, meaning ‘in a state of extreme happiness’ in Japanese features an upscale menu with sharable small plates and entrees with a spotlight on sushi plus an array of handcrafted cocktails, curated sake and vegan wine collection.

A world-class hospitality team with an uncompromising commitment to quality is led by Executive Chef Taek Lee (Taka). As one of South Florida’s most accomplished chefs with a career spanning more than 20 years at some of the nation’s leading restaurants, Chef Taka has helmed the kitchen as Executive Sushi Chef at Zuma and Makoto and Executive Chef at Monkitail inside The Diplomat Resort.

“I have a deep admiration for Korean and Japanese techniques and flavors. Takato allows me to present my own variations at my newest and most rewarding venture to date,” says Chef Taka. “We promise the freshest and most authentic ingredients, while staying true to our roots and presenting flavorful cuisine in a modern yet approachable manner.”

The menu serves as Taka’s decadent love letter to South Florida, showcasing his endless inspiration from his Asian heritage and over 26 years refining traditional Umami ingredients with bright flavor compounds and locally-sourced land and sea provisions.

Proudly displaying inherited techniques, traditional dumpling experts are seen kneading and filling dough from scratch before delivering fresh batches via sleek tableside carts. Diners enjoy tableside wasabi, cocktail and culinary presentations. For those who prefer to dine in the comfort of their home or lounge oceanside with endless open-air, the restaurant offers upscale, customized to-go sushi bento boxes starting a $55.

The open-air design exquisitely blends minimal elements of stone and earthy tones with modern pops of blue and ocean green hues, lush greenery and revitalizing seafoam views set to Bossa Nova music for a fresh balance of yin and yang. The reimagined space offers an expansive 26-foot sushi bar with four exquisite sushi chefs below a swirling koi mural, two waterfront terraces hosting happy hour, DJ’d events and an elevated kid’s experience featuring family friendly cuisine and open-air activities. 

Takato also launched Oku by Takato, an exclusive 10-seat Omakase lounge that takes guests on an intimate, multi-course journey like scallop with shaved truffle, oysters with ponzu granita and uni toast with caviar. Diners will witness world-renowned Executive Chef Take Lee prepare his most creative work to date.

The sleek blue toned lounge features a fully private sushi bar highlighting delicacies specially flown in from Japan and Korea, serve the finest sake and wine brands, and collaborate with culinary champions from all over the world. Oku by Takato has one seating per night, Thursday through Saturday, at 8PM. Takato and Oku is located at 551 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.