Mizu opens to serve Japanese food and seafood in Charlotte NC

The wood-fired cuisine and the view of the horizon define the dining experience at Mizu, which is scheduled to open on Thursday. Located on the top floor of Hyatt Centric SouthPark, Mizu is Charleston’s new restaurant Indigo Road Hotel Group, who brought Charlotte O-Ku and Oak Steakhouse.

Inspired by wood-fired Robata grills from Japan, the seafood-based menu will infuse southern influences with Asian flavors and traditions of ancient Japanese cuisine. Although the Robata method of grilling – using an open flame to cook over hot coals – dates back thousands of years, executive chef Michael Chanthavong will apply the method to serving a modern seafood menu with dishes over a fire. wood, chilled and raw.

Among the dishes to watch out for on the Chilled and Raw menu is the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo ($ 19), which is drizzled with celery verde oil, sudachi (a Japanese citrus fruit), rice crackers, and amazu (a Japanese sweet and sour sauce). There’s also a shrimp cocktail ($ 16) with giant lemongrass poached prawns and wasabi cocktail sauce, plus Mizu oysters ($ 4 each) topped with ikura (salmon roe), wasabi and of chives with a soy mignonette.

Diners will find luxurious selections of maki on the menu, including the Mizu Dragon ($ 22), stuffed with shishito tempura, citrus crab, otoro (tuna) and amazu tartare; and the Iron Man ($ 25), made with spicy tuna, cucumber, shiso (a mint-like herb) and flambé Wagyu beef, served with a ponzu sauce. Also of note is the Mean Green maki ($ 13), with an inventive combination of crispy tofu, shishito, cucumber and salsa verde.

However, the real centerpiece of the food at Mizu is the Robata Grill.

“The Robata Grill serves as the main inspiration for the menu, using it to create dishes with ingredients ranging from mushrooms to yellowtail cheeks and lobster,” said Chanthavong, formerly of O-Ku. “It’s a new culinary endeavor to dive into this method of grilling, and we can’t wait to introduce Charlotte to this type of cooking.”

If you dabble in Japanese cuisine, you’ll probably feel right at home with the Yaki-Tori ($ 12) from the Robata Grilled menu. These are chicken cutlets with green onions, ume teriyaki and grilled sesame. Lobster ($ 26) is also a safe but luxurious choice, served with truffled chive butter, citrus, and XO sauce, a condiment rich in umami flavor.

There are also fun choices like the Drunken Pineapple ($ 11), with island spices, aged rum, and tahini, as well as the Tiger King ($ 24), a Kosho-marinated shrimp with miso butter crab and mango salsa.

Beverage Director Ed Parowski rounds out the menu with bright and refreshing cocktails infused with Japanese spirits and seasonal ingredients.

Visitors can sip libations with a view of Charlotte’s city skyline or dine indoors, where the Robata Grill serves as the centerpiece for a unique dining experience. Natural elements and minimalist decor will pay homage to water – the Japanese translation of “Mizu”.

The Mizu menu

Other menu highlights to try include:

Hamachi tartare ($ 15)

This entree, found in the Chilled & Raw section of the menu, includes mango ponzu, cilantro, Thai chili oil, olive oil, and daikon chips.

Sake tataki ($ 18)

This salmon app is dressed in citric soy, ikura, daikon and truffle aioli.

Soft Shell Fried Sliders ($ 17)

Off the Hot & Shareable portion of Mizu’s menu, these spicy crab bites are served with lemon caper aioli and butter lettuce.

Thai stick ($ 14)

This Robata-grilled dish highlights sweet ginger squid with Thai chili and grilled cilantro.

Duck breast ($ 31)

A duck breast with five spices is accompanied by an orange sauce, watercress and grilled shallots on the main menu.

Seared miso bar ($ 32)

This premium main course is served with grilled baby bok choy, citrus zest, and mushroom soy frosting.

Mizu

Location: Inside the Hyatt Centric Southpark Charlotte, 3100 Apex Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211

Neighborhood: SouthPark

Japanese cuisine

Instagram: @mizucharlotte