Hiro's Kitchen Sushi & Sake is a counter-style sushi and sake restaurant coming to the Near Southside from husband-and-wife team Hiroto and Nami Ochiai, just steps from The Holly wine bar on Magnolia. The Ochiais built their following the right way — through Wednesday night pop-ups at The Holly that earned strong word-of-mouth for their nigiri and sashimi before they ever had a permanent address. Hiro grew up in Niigata, a northern Japanese region celebrated for its rice and sake, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in New York, and developed a style that applies French technique to Japanese ingredients with precision and playfulness. Nami brings the same background to the front of house, and both are certified sake sommeliers. The permanent space is be anchored by a large L-shaped counter — the format that puts you closest to the craft. The menu blends traditional sushi and sashimi with globally inspired dishes including ceviche-style preparations reimagined through Japanese technique, sourcing fish directly from Japan for the omakase program. The philosophy is deliberate: approachable enough for a casual evening, deep enough for a full omakase experience, with the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant running through all of it.