High-End Japanese Eatery Needs $90K To Open in Williamsburg

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — Chefs from two critically-acclaimed Manhattan eateries have hope to raise $90,000 on Kickstarter so they can open a high-end Japanese soul food restaurant in Williamsburg.

Executive Sushi Chef Shigeru Mikami from BONDST. and Executive Chef Erica Ohrling from Mancao Trading Company hope to raise $90,000 to open Kitsune — a 50-seat Japanese restaurant and bar — at 386 Graham Ave, they wrote in their campaign.

“Kitsune was founded on the principles in the vernacular common meaning of Omusubi, which indicates ‘a power which gives birth and life force,’” the would-be restaurateurs wrote on Kickstarter.

“Kitsune’s menus will focus on Japanese small plate culture that invite a refined culinary experience matched in both ambiance and aesthetics.”

Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing crowdfunding site, which means the chefs have until March 19 to reach their $90,000 goal. Kitsune had raised $525 by Feb. 26.

Should the chefs succeed in raising the cash, Mikami proposes to head the sushi bar while Ohrling will take charge of the savory and sweet menus, they wrote.

Ohrling teased Kitsune's lunch, dinner and late-night menus by promising a Kitsune Burger with a square Wagyu-beef patty and house-made Japanese mayo.

The menu will also feature omusubi, a rice ball the chefs say is “more popular than sushi” in Japan, which they will give a Brooklyn twist by using “healthy, quality ingredients and vegan alternatives,” the chefs wrote.

The bar would offer a curated bar program and high-end coffee drinks, according to the Kickstarter campaign.

Hiroki Kobayashi, owner of 95 RPM local coffee roasters, would curate Kitsune's coffee and tea program which would include house-made organic oat-milk as its dairy substitute.

Bar consultant Shin Ikeda, owner of B-Flat in Tribeca, would develop the original cocktail menu.

The would-be restaurateurs did not immediately respond to Patch’s request for an interview.

To read more about the proposed restaurant, check out Kitsune’s website and the chef’s Kickstarter campaign.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock, video courtesy of Kitsune