Published on: February 17, 2026, 11:20h.
Updated on: February 17, 2026, 11:20h.
- Foxwoods welcomes Hollywood sensation Yamashiro to Connecticut
- Yamashiro is an esteemed Japanese dining experience from the Hollywood Hills
- Following The Bedford by Martha Stewart, Yamashiro opens its doors at the tribal casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino is enhancing its culinary offerings with a new addition that brings a slice of Hollywood to this Connecticut hotspot.
As the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation celebrates Foxwoods’ 34th anniversary this February, the casino has revealed that Yamashiro will mark its third expansion at the resort following the upcoming launch of The Bedford by Martha Stewart.
Yamashiro, meaning “mountain place” in Japanese, is an iconic venue located in the Hollywood Hills. Established in the 1960s, it occupies a historic Japanese-style mansion that provides breathtaking views of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.
This Kyoto-inspired mansion, built in 1914 by Adolph and Eugene Bernheimer, originally served as both a residence and an Asian art museum, perched 250 feet above Hollywood Boulevard.
Film producers Elie Samaha and Steve Markoff own Yamashiro through their company, Samaka.
About Yamashiro Restaurant
In addition to its Hollywood location, Yamashiro launched a Miami venue last fall atop the Gale Hotel. The Boulevard Hospitality Group, which oversees the Hollywood establishment and is licensing the Yamashiro brand elsewhere, has designated Foxwoods as its next venture.
“Foxwoods is the ideal location for Yamashiro’s next chapter. Hollywood embodies our heritage, Miami captures our contemporary spirit, and Foxwoods unites these two realms,” expressed Freddy Braidi of Boulevard.
“This venue embodies the essence of Yamashiro while embracing the vibrancy of a premier resort destination. The Northeast will experience a dining experience unlike any other with Yamashiro Foxwoods,” Braidi added.
Foxwoods’ President and CEO, Jason Guyot, described Yamashiro as an “immersive dining experience,” noting that it will transform into a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, featuring a live DJ.
“Yamashiro’s arrival at Foxwoods marks a pivotal moment in our evolution and revolutionizes our dining and nightlife scene. We are introducing the iconic spirit, energy, and legacy of Yamashiro to Foxwoods, creating vibrant evenings filled with exceptional dining experiences that are unparalleled,” said Guyot.
Yamashiro Opening Details
While Foxwoods and Boulevard Hospitality have yet to announce a specific opening date for Yamashiro, they anticipate receiving reservations within a year.
Designing the interior of Yamashiro will take careful planning, as Foxwoods and Boulevard aim to create a distinctive ambiance. The casino’s announcement indicates intentions to combine “artful Japanese-inspired cuisine” within a “striking setting” that honors the “cultural heritage” of the Hollywood restaurant.
Yamashiro remains a favorite in Hollywood, often requiring early bookings for weekend dining. However, its Yelp score stands at 3.6 out of 5 based on approximately 6,800 reviews, with some critics mentioning “average” or “uninspired” cuisine compared to its premium pricing.