UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse Debuts on Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Riverfront

 UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse, located at 221 SW 1st Avenue, officially commemorated its arrival to South Florida with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 21. The celebration drew an enthusiastic crowd of local officials, foodie influencers, media, and community members eager to welcome the new restaurant to the vibrant Las Olas Riverfront district.

Among the dignitaries and speakers at the event were Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis; Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steven Glassman; President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Dan Lindblade; and Chair of the Board for the Chamber Debbie Danton. UKIAH Co-owner Steven Haigh and award-winning Chef/Co-owner Michael Lewis also spoke, sharing their excitement and vision for UKIAH’s new home in Fort Lauderdale. Each speaker welcomed the restaurant to the community, highlighting its unique concept and contribution to the city’s dynamic culinary scene.

“We’re so grateful and happy to be here,” said Steven Haigh, Co-owner of UKIAH. “We love this location, and we love Fort Lauderdale. We’ve had a great couple of weeks of training, and we’re excited to get the doors open. This is our second location, and we can’t wait to share UKIAH with this community.”

The festive event featured a live band and refreshing signature cocktails from UKIAH’s innovative beverage menu, creating an upbeat and inviting atmosphere that offered a taste of what’s to come. Following the ribbon cutting, guests were treated to an exclusive preview dining experience, sampling dishes that embody the restaurant’s signature East-meets-West concept.

UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse is the brainchild of an acclaimed team of restaurateurs, Chef Michael Lewis with Steven Haigh, Lizzy Maynes (Scotch & Bacon Group), and Michael Sponaugle (Buya Restaurants). Following the success of their flagship location in Asheville, NC, in 2021, the team is excited to introduce their unique concept to the Las Olas Riverfront area.

UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse is a unique dining destination that blends Japanese flavors with American barbecue techniques, located at 221 SW 1st Ave, CU 1, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Founded by award-winning Chef Michael Lewis, Steven Haigh, Lizzy Maynes, and Michael Sponaugle, UKIAH first opened in Asheville, NC, in 2021 and has since expanded to Fort Lauderdale, FL. The restaurant offers a thoughtfully designed dining experience featuring a wood-fired smoker, locally inspired cocktails, and a lively yet inviting atmosphere.