By Cathleen K. Bode, Photos by Modernmade Photography
This rare and exceptional restaurant opened its doors on Oct. 2024. It is nestled in the heart of Alys Beach’s Town Center overlooking the lawn of the Amphitheater on scenic 30-A.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be opening O-Ku in Alys Beach,” says Steve Palmer, Founder of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. “Alys is such a special place and is a location that we have been scouting for more than five years. Alongside our O-Ku operating partner Kimball Brienza and culinary director Masa Hamaya, we can’t wait to welcome guests and be a part of the vibrant 30A restaurant community.”
Sven and I couldn’t have agreed more. Japanese cuisine is one of our favorites, and, we really needed an upscale Japanese restaurant in this area!
Alys Beach is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Expanding on Bermuda’s architectural language with the occasional Grecian trellis, Moorish arch, and Dutch gable bring awe-inspiring flourishes to Alys Beach’s architectural white canvas. It’s truly magnificent. All up & down scenic 30-A from Rosemary Beach, to Seaside, to Watercolor, where every home has a name — it’s beautiful up here.
We’ve been coming here since our first press-trip in 2010 when Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) offered nonstop flights from ECP to MCO. 50-minutes later, we were in paradise. Wow! Time does fly!
O-Ku is designed by David Thompson, Studio. It is beautiful, bright and airy. I would describe it as Japandi style which is all the craze right now. Combining the best of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian simplicity, Japandi offers a harmonious blend of elegance, functionality, and natural warmth.
Born & raised in Japan, Chef Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya, leads the culinary program with the local Alys Beach team with emphasis on tradition, showcasing an authentic approach to Japanese cuisine with the freshest, seasonal ingredients possible. O-Ku Alys Beach is the second location to open in the Sunshine State, following the opening of the successful Jacksonville Beach location in 2022. And, exciting news for Tampa residents — there’s an O-Ku opening in 2025!
I must say the freshness of the food and the awe-inspiring presentation is second to none. There wasn’t a dish that I didn’t like. It’s that good. My absolute favorites: Chef Specialty: A5 WAGYU “SANDO” Japanese a5 ribeye, Kaluga caviar, shiso leaf, black garlic and milk bread. So tender… somehow, all the flavors work well together.
Robata: ALASKAN KING CRAB yuzu butter, seasonal truffle — My expectation was the usual steamed Alaskan king crab legs, which I really enjoy, however, they really took it up a notch! Incredibly moist with nuances of Japanese seasoning that melded so perfectly. I never had anything like it before.
Signature Temaki: Hands down—OTORO nikiri, Kaluga caviar & chive. Throughout Japan, all of the blue fin tuna happen to be graded from the quality of the slices of oily meat which are extracted from them, especially the highly valued toro, typically the oily belly from the tuna. I could have a few of these and I’ll be happy.
Well, let’s not forget the libations! SUGAR AND SPICE vodka or tequila, passion fruit, habanero syrup, lemon juice—makes everything nice. For sure you’ll be wishing for an ENDLESS SUMMER 24OZ TENSEI, TOKUBETSU HONJOZO salted melon, citrus, crisp. On a DREAMY CLOUDS, NIGORI 24OZ RIHAKU, JUNMAI GINJO NIGORI roasted almonds, dark plum, citrus peel. There truly is something for everyone, from the spirited to the spirit-free. This is the place to be!
A bit of history on Alys Beach
• Land purchase: Elton B. Stephens, co-founder of EBSCO, bought the 158-acre property in the 1970s for $1.2 million. He named the community after his wife, Alys, who died in 2004.
• Design: The Miami-based planning and architecture firm DPZ CoDesign was brought in to create the vision for Alys Beach. The town was designed to further develop the principles of New Urbanism and was styled after the architecture of Bermuda and Antigua.
• Groundbreaking: The first 16 houses were built in 2004. Fast forward to 2024 — the average cost of homes in Alys Beach, FL were selling for a median price of $3,949,500 in October 2024. Median $/Sqft $1,342.
Fun Fact
The 1998 comedy-drama film, The Truman Show, was filmed in Seaside, FL also on 30-A just 7.6 miles west of Alys Beach.
Founded in 1981 by Robert Davis, Andrés Duany, and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The idea for Seaside began in 1946 when Davis’ grandfather purchased land for a family summer retreat. The town was the main filming location for The Truman Show and it put this area on the map!
Next time you are looking for a vacay, look no further than our Sunshine State! It’s approximately 6.5 hrs drive from Orlando to Northwest Florida’s Panhandle in Walton County.
Don’t forget to dine at O-Ku and enjoy the beauty of this area—There is noting like it!
