OUR CHEF AND CO-FOUNDER
Shine Tamaoki’s love for sushi and the art of making it began in college. But it was not until Shine took a job at Nobu that his love turned to obsession and passion that would drive him in life. Through his years at Nobu, Shine learned and honed the traditional techniques of making sushi that would allow him to develop his own signature style for creating Japanese cuisine. Shine’s food focuses on traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi, with his own modern twists to certain dishes. Shine desires to always showcase and highlight the ingredients themselves, striving to create dishes using only the freshest fish and seasonal produce. He wants our guests to experience sushi in the traditional manner they would experience it in Japan but also to highlight its flexibility and versatility by creating unique plates for our guests to enjoy. At Pearl, you can experience the gambit from a traditional Omakase dinner that places you in the hands of Shine and his sushi chefs as they guide through a meal of sushi handpicked by Shine to a sit-down dinner including sashimi plates and sushi rolls—all curated artfully by Shine.
OUR GENERAL MANAGER/MIXOLOGIST
Before joining Pearl, Kaya Turner had worked in the restaurant industry for many years where she eventually became an assistant general manager at Tei-An. During those years prior to Pearl, several things happened. Kaya learned the importance of customer service and the need for every guest to feel special while dining at a restaurant. Kaya also learned the importance of a good beverage program and how to combine flavors to make unique cocktails. Finally, Kaya met Shine and the two became inseparable and eventually married. Now, Kaya brings all of her experience to Pearl where she has installed a customer first policy. From the moment you enter Pearl, you will begin to experience the hospitality that Kaya has instilled in each of our staff—from the baskets for ladies’ handbags, to the hand towels at the beginning of your meal, to the layout of the tables and the attention to your needs. Kaya has made the guest experience the top priority at Pearl. But Kaya’s imprint on Pearl does not stop there. As you begin your meal, you will have a choice of Pearl cocktails, wine or Sake. All of these have been handcrafted and handpicked by Kaya. These lists provide something for every customer and showcase Kaya’s passion for providing the finest drinks to our guests in order to enhance their experience at Pearl.