Exclusive: Akira Back IN as Executive Chef at Kumi

In big news for the coming Kumi from The Light Group at Mandalay Bay, the Japanese restaurant gets an executive chef and a name change.

Now Akira Back of Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge fame at the Bellagio has jumped on board as executive chef at the restaurant, which will now be called Kumi by Akira Back at Mandalay Bay.

The restaurant has targeted a summer opening with Back's modern Japanese menu with a Korean American twist. Over the course of his career, Back has worked with Masaharu Morimoto and Nobu Matsuhisa. Toshiyuki Motoyama comes on board as head sushi chef.

Once Kumi opens, expect to find a 10,000-square-foot restaurant with room for 300. A dramatic sushi bar made of glazed cobalt blue tiles in a scalloped pattern inspired by common Japanese homes creates the setting for the restaurant, with a rear rotunda replete with walls painted with giant interpretations of cherry blossom trees. 
· All Coverage of Kumi Japanese Restaurant & Bar [~ELV~]
· All Coverage of Akira Back [~ELV~]