Bad Bunny – one of the world’s most streamed musicians, Marvel hero, Jacquemus model – will soon add high-end restaurateur to his name. In late July, he and David Grutman of Groot Hospitality are opening a brand new Japanese steakhouse and sushi concept called Gekkō in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood.
“I think I’ve reached a point in my career where I can venture off into new projects,” Bunny tells Highsnobiety. “I have a passion for food, and I’m going to take my time. The thing I look forward to the most, after a day of meetings, interviews, filming, touring, or all of the above, is going out to eat.”
“I’ve known Bunny for years, we actually met at another one of our restaurants, Komodo, with Drake,” says Grutman. “I knew Bunny was a sushi fanatic, and, over time we started speaking about doing something together – a fusion of sushi, the best steak you can buy, and a lounge atmosphere.”
The restaurant, with interiors by Rockwell Group, takes over the former Katsuya space at Brickell's SLS LUX tower. It will feature plush, jewel-toned decor throughout, seating up to 185 diners across an indoor-outdoor flow. There will also be an exclusive omakase bar, as well as a dedicated lounge – all of it fueled by the intimate vibes of a steakhouse serving prime cuts and inventive sushi, rendered with the precision for which Japanese cuisine is so renowned.
“Gekkō” is the Japanese word for “moonlight,” befitting a city beloved for its nightlife. Yet it also stands as a double entendre homage to Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko, the famed Wall Street character. “On the day we were picking the name, Bunny loved ‘Gekkō.’ That night I watched a documentary on Carl Icahn,” says Grutman (the fictional Gekko is based on financier Icahn, trader Ivan Boesky and investor Michael Ovitz). “It clicked, and we had it.” (To note, Brickell is Miami's ostensible financial and banking center.)
Gekkō hasn’t yet released its menu – Ocasio and Grutman are working through final approvals – but expect, among other dishes, iterations of the former’s favorites: “Wagyu beef, albacore nigiri and bluefin tuna crudo.”
And, why the Magic City? Besides being Groot Hospitality’s base and stronghold, Ocasio says: “Miami is constantly evolving. I think it’s where new bets in the culinary world are most enjoyed.” As for what the fashion-forward star will wear on opening night? “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Revisit our Winter 2021 cover story with Bad Bunny in English or Español.
