A new upscale dining experience is set to arrive in Metairie, bringing a fresh take on Japanese cuisine with a strong focus on quality and innovation. Food lovers in the area have something exciting to look forward to with the opening of a premium sushi restaurant later this month.
New Restaurant Opening in Old Metairie
Kenji Kazoku is all set to open its doors on April 29 in Old Metairie. The restaurant is a result of a three-year partnership between Malachi Dupre and Chef Matthew Nguyen.
This marks their third restaurant concept together, showing their growing presence in the food industry.
Concept Behind the Name
The name “Kenji Kazoku” comes from a Japanese phrase that reflects the idea of working within a close group of people who feel like family. This theme is central to the restaurant’s identity and approach to hospitality.
What’s on the Menu
The restaurant will focus on high-end Japanese cuisine, especially dry-aged fish, which is a unique and specialised technique. Guests can expect a wide variety of dishes, including sashimi, sushi, grilled octopus, and wagyu beef cooked over traditional Binchotan charcoal.
Around 80 percent of the seafood will be sourced directly from Japan, while other ingredients will come from places like Greece, New Zealand, and Hawaii. This ensures both authenticity and high quality.
Special Dining Experience
One of the standout features of the restaurant is its in-house fish-drying process. Similar to dry-aging meat, this method improves the texture and flavour of the fish, giving it a richer and more intense taste.
Signature dishes will include items like wagyu beef with mushrooms and pesto, fresh crudo preparations, and seafood-based rice dishes. Luxury ingredients such as caviar, uni, and truffles will also be part of the menu.
In the future, the restaurant plans to offer a special tableside omakase experience, where chefs prepare a customised selection of dishes for guests.
Restaurant Space and Design
The restaurant will cover around 1,500 square feet and can seat up to 54 guests. It will also feature a 10-seat sushi counter, allowing diners to watch chefs prepare their meals.
A full-service cocktail bar will be available, and a patio for outdoor dining is expected to open soon.
Growing Restaurant Portfolio
Dupre and Nguyen already run other successful ventures, including a sushi concept in New Orleans and another restaurant in Houston. Their expansion into Old Metairie shows their confidence in the local food scene and their commitment to offering high-quality dining experiences.
