"At a Wynwood pop-up from James Beard nominee and finalist Brad Kilgore and Andrew Mayer of OG Hospitality, I experienced an ‘itameshi’ approach that blends traditional Italian and Japanese elements into intensely umami dishes. The counter-service menu features inventive items like a chicken parm katsu sando made with dashi-brined chicken and smoked mozzarella, an umami pomodoro, and an udon carbonara that combines egg yolk, black truffle, and toasted sesame seeds; there’s also a cacio pepe breadstick served with peppercorn miso Alfredo or an upgrade to uni fondue. The fettuccine pomodoro pairs Italian pomodoro sauce with basil, olive oil, and yuzu butter, and the tuna nigiri is seasoned with tamari-Calabrian chili ponzu; dessert is a dark cherry–infused kakigori shaved ice with pistachio gelato. An Itameshi-inspired $60 omakase platter is available, and Kilgore’s Pizza Freak Co appears here as an Itameshi Pizza topped with Italian herbs, shredded nori, and pickled cherry peppers. Drinks highlight frozen sake slushies (yuzu margarita and strawberry versions) infused with sake, alongside an eclectic sake bottle selection, wines, and beers. The pop-up is walk-in friendly with a large outdoor patio and lounge, located at 2335 N Miami Avenue next to Miss Crispy Rice at Oasis, and will run through early summer 2024 with opening hours during the first month Thurs–Fri 5 p.m.–10 p.m. and Sat–Sun noon–10 p.m." - Olee Fowler