Mābo is a new kind of restaurant in Dallas that debuted Friday evening, Feb. 23 in Preston Center.

The new dining concept is led by chef Masayuki Otaka, or best known in Dallas as just chef Masa. Otaka has been a Dallas chef for three decades and opened Teppo, a yakitori and sushi bar, in Lowest Greenville with his close friend and chef Teiichi Sakurai that closed last July.

Mābo takes over the space of Rock ‘n Roll Sushi which closed two years ago at 6109 Berkshire Ln. Mābo promises an intimate dining experience, accommodating only eight guests per seating. The ambiance is reminiscent of a speakeasy with dim lighting and dark interiors. 

Mābo blends the traditional Japanese grilling technique of yakitori with the refinement of Kappo-style dining, offering guests an up-close view of the chef’s process. Usually, yakitori is commonly seen in Japanese street vendors with grilled chicken and vegetables on skewers. Otaka is taking the street food concept and applying it to Dallas with an elevated level.

“At Mābo, chef Masa’s mission is clear: to redefine the art of yakitori through unparalleled skill and dedication,” a statement said. “Mābo is a sanctuary where guests can indulge in the finest flavors of Japan in an atmosphere of refined sophistication and unparalleled hospitality.”

The menu is carefully curated, featuring a selection of dishes, including yakitori skewers grilled over Japanese binchotan charcoal along with Japanese rice dishes and decadent desserts. Mābo embraces an Omakase approach, a Japanese phrase that literally means, “I leave it up to you.” In a restaurant setting, it means the guests are leaving it up to the chef to decide what will be served.

While the menu is expected to rotate, guests will enjoy à la carte dishes highlighting the season’s freshest ingredients, followed by yakitori skewers featuring all parts of the chicken.

Guests can choose from one of two nightly dining slots at the 8-seat chef’s counter, available Tuesday through Saturday at 5:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Mābo encourages guests to plan for a three hour meal.

Reservations are mandatory for dining at Mābo, with a cover fee of $200 per person and does not include gratuity, beverages or taxes.