London-Based Japanese Restaurant Chain Lands in Back Bay Next Week

A high-end international Japanese chain finally makes its grand debut in Boston next week. Zuma opens Tuesday, May 28, in Boston’s Back Bay, located within the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, a new residential tower in the neighborhood.

Zuma’s menu builds on the traditions of Japanese izakayas, or pubs, but its take on izakayas is much more analogous to upscale spots like Pabu or Momi Nonmi — which both describe themselves as “modern izakayas” — than a casual drinking spot.

Boston’s Zuma location will be the twelfth restaurant in the chain and the fourth in the United States. (Don’t confuse it with Boston’s existing restaurant by the same name, a Tex-Mex spot at Faneuil Hall.)

Featuring design work from Tokyo-based Noriyoshi Muramatsu, the restaurant sits on the second floor of the building and features stone elements as well as wood, bamboo, and subtle lighting, as well as plush seating. The space features a central bar area with some high-top seating and standard tables, with an additional semi-private dining space.

Chef Rainer Becker developed the menus for Zuma locations all around the world; in Boston, he has added dishes that showcase local seafood as well as an exclusive dessert menu. Diners will find a selection of sushi, robata grill dishes, salads, and more.

Selections for Boston’s opening include seared tuna with chili daikon and ponzu sauce; spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chile, and sweet soy; oysters; barley miso marinated baby chicken that is roasted on cedar; and roasted lobster with shiso butter sauce. The beverage menu at Zuma will include about 70 varieties of sake, including one developed specifically for Zuma.

Chef Helmy Saadon — who has previously worked in Zuma’s Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and New York restaurants — will serve as opening chef at Zuma Boston, along with the corporate executive chef, Oliver Lange. Josh Kougl will come in from Miami to serve as Zuma Boston’s general manager.

Upon opening on May 28, Zuma will operate Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 12 a.m. The bar will operate Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Zuma will be closed on Sunday. In the summer, Zuma will extend its hours and begin lunch service.

• Zuma Coverage on Eater [EBOS]