Waterfront restaurant family taking over former Miyabi 9 space

• Don't expect fusion foods — Hanke tells Axios he prefers to view them more as "pairings" with each other.
• Hanke says the name Masao is a nod to the former Miyabi 9 owner, Mike Miyabi, whose Japanese name is Masao.

How it started: Hanke says he trained under Miyabi nearly 20 years ago, and Miyabi helped him learn the ins and outs of sushi — a popular dish at the Waterfront restaurants.

• When Miyabi decided to retire, Hanke wanted to purchase the restaurant but wasn't ready for it.
• A former employee took over Miyabi 9 in 2022, but it closed again last year. This time, Hanke decided to jump on the opportunity.

State of play: Since November, Hanke says, he's been cleaning and renovating the space, including ripping out deteriorating wood and adding new kitchen equipment.

• The restaurant will still offer a more intimate space, with only 12 tables, but diners can expect updated furnishings and finishes, including a "juxtaposition" between Japanese and French decor.
• And while the menu isn't fully fleshed out yet, expect surf, air and turf, including sushi, lamb and duck dishes.