PRESS KIT

PRESS KIT
BACKGROUNDER
TORA CORPORATION
Established in Japan in 1955, Tora Corporation is
an internationally-renowned family restaurant group.
In 2002 the famed restaurant group was taken over by Seigo
Nakamura when his father named him director, following
four generations of lineage. Under Nakamura’s direction,
Tora has grown into a global brand most noted for its quality
food and sustainable policies. With seven established
restaurants in Japan, Tora is excited to make its North
American debut with Miku.
Tora offers a superior dining experience for its guests with each
location it opens. This dedication to the customer is chieved
through its flawless execution and training of the company’s
three mainstays: people, product and corporate vision.
www.mikurestaurant.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Japanese Restaurateur Debuts in Vancouver
First Aburi-style Sushi Restaurant Opens in Vancouver
Oct 14, 2008 (Vancouver, BC) – A Japanese restaurateur, renowned
for his flame-seared sushi, is opening his first of three North American
restaurants in Vancouver this fall. Seigo Nakamura, 32, will build
on his seven-restaurant empire with the debut of Miku, a Japanese
fusion restaurant located in the hub of Vancouver’s business district.
“Miku will offer a form of sushi Vancouver hasn’t seen yet,” said
Nakamura. “We chose Vancouver because of its competitive
restaurant market and global appeal.”
Nakamura’s top chefs from Japan will be flown into Vancouver to
showcase their Aburi-style sushi, which will be infused with savory
French sauces. A Kyoto-trained pastry chef is also being brought
in to oversee Miku’s artistic dessert menu.
While its innovative cuisine promises to attract, people will stay for
the ambience. Created by Arca 3 Design Studio Inc, an award-winning
architectural firm based out of Vancouver, Miku’s interior integrates
the raw elements of the Earth with contemporary colours and an
ethereal design.
Miku is scheduled to open this fall at 1055 Hastings Street, followed
by two sister restaurants in LA and New York. For a sneak peek at
the menu or to schedule an interview with its founders refer to
contacts listed below.
ABOUT MIKU
WHAT IS MIKU?
PEOPLE
People come first at Miku. Tora Corporation believes in hiring people who are passionate
about service and caring for others. Extensively trained staff members are the restaurant’s heart,
providing a sense of community for guests as well as each other. Management takes a genuine
interest in employees, discovering and supporting their long-term life goals. This translates into
a warm and pleasurable environment unparalleled by any other Vancouver eatery.
FOOD
Fresh ingredients, global inspiration and artful presentation are Miku’s recipe for delectable
cuisine. From its signature Aburi-style sushi, lightly seared and infused with savory French sauces,
to its tantalizing meats, tenderized by Sumiyaki grilling, Miku introduces cutting-edge culinary
techniques to Vancouver. Organic, local ingredients enhance the flavour of Miku’s innovative
menu, which is carefully paired with fine wines and sake. The restaurant’s delectable desserts
created by its Kyoto-trained pastry chef are an experience on their own.
SUSTAINABILITY
All efforts are made to use local products to help B.C.’s economy and lessen Miku’s carbon footprint.
The only exception is when the product is locally unavailable. Eco-friendly building materials
were heavily incorporated into Miku’s design while local talent was commissioned to create
everything from its glass ceilings to its pebbled pathways.
LOCATION
Vancouver represents the best of the West Coast. Its competitive and culturally saturated restaurant
industry posed the perfect environment for Miku to showcase its innovative cuisine and service to
North America. Miku’s sustainable policies integrate well with Vancouver’s eco-friendly practices
and its unprecedented sushi techniques promise to delight the city’s dedicated sushi following.
DESIGN
In Japanese, Miku translates into “beautiful sky.” This meaning became the source of inspiration
behind the immaculately executed design concept by renowned Arca 3 Design Studio Inc.
Natural elements were used to create the restaurant’s most notable features including its glass
waterfall, pebble stone pathway, white marble countertops and its distinguished floating glass
cloud ceiling. Sustainable, eco-friendly materials are a signature of Arca 3’s design; a reason
they are one of North America’s most sought-out design firms.
HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS AVAILAIBLE AT WWW.MIKURESTAURANT.COM FOR MEDIA USE
BIOS
PEOPLE
SEIGO NAKAMURA,
Owner
Seigo Nakamura, 32, is a passionate restaurateur. At the young age
of 22 Nakamura took over his family’s international brand, Tora
Corporation, which included two Japanese restaurants. It was
Nakamura’s mission to take his family’s empire to the next level by
creating an internationally acclaimed group of restaurants specializing
in innovative culinary arts. Nakamura’s years of restaurant experience
led him to discover the secret to a fine-dining experience was to pair
diverse, healthy and organic cuisine with superior customer service – a recipe he incorporates
into every restaurant he opens. Under his direction Tora Corporation added four Japanese
franchise restaurants including its most recent: Miku Aburi Sushi Gourmet Restaurant in
Vancouver British Columbia. Miku is Nakamura’s North American debut.
TAI HASUMI,
General Manager
Tai Hasumi started his restaurant career managing Nobu in Tokyo, an
upscale international restaurant. His passion for creating extraordinary
experiences for his guests led him to join Tora Corporation in 2007
as general manager for Miku Aburi Sushi Restaurant. Hasumi combines
his years of expertise in guest service and inventory management
with his knowledge of high-end culinary cuisine to spearhead Tora
Corporation’s debut in North America. Under his guidance Miku will
offer a people-first environment unparalleled by any Vancouver restaurant.
Timothy Bullinger,
Arca 3 Design Studio Inc.
Arca 3 Design Studio Inc. is an architecture & design firm renowned for
its international designs. Past projects have included everything from
residential designs for Phil Collins and Davis (Max) Factor to commercial
creations in Japan, Europe and North America. During his career,
Bullinger has received many accolades for his work in the architectural
and design industry. In 1992 he received the Los Angeles Green Design
Committee “Innovation Award” for the implementation of “Green”
technology in design and construction. His aesthetic stamp is put on almost every part of Miku’s
design from its menu to its floor plan. His concept for Miku involves heavy use of natural and
sustainable elements to create a globally inspired ambience.
SAMPLE MENU
APPETIZER
ABURI STYLE SUSHI
Aburi Tuna flavoured with Masatake Sauce
Aburi Sushi Excellent Select
Served with fresh greens, onions, bell peppers,
cucumbers and jalapenos
Four featured nigiri and two pieces of miku’s
original aburi roll
Miku Sashimi Special
Miku Original Roll
Tuna, salmon, scallops, yellow tail and three
featured sashimi items
Salmon, cucumber, sea urchin, crab mayonaise,
golden caviar
Miku New Style Carpaccio
Aburi Saba Bo Sushi
Balsamic sauce
Charcoal grilled shime saba oshi sushi
ENTRÉE
KISHIMEN PASTA
Aburi Salmon
White Cream Sauce
Served with your choice of white oyster sauce
or wasabi soy sauce
Served with B.C. chicken and cheese, accented
with balsamic sauce
Aburi Chicken
Tomato Sauce
Our specialty aburi chicken served with your
choice of garlic sauce or yuzu-kosho
Soft-shell crab and seasonal seafoods served
with eggplant and zucchini
Aburi Beef
Cajun Spice
Served with your choice of sansho sauce
or fresh salsa
Garlic chicken served with jalapeno’s
and miku style salsa
www.mikurestaurant.com
Aburi Restaurants Canada Ltd., Main Floor, Guinness Tower
#2 - 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2E9
www.mikurestaurant.com