Our Experience

The inspiration behind the design of Ichibuns, a Japanese burger restaurant, emerged from our deep immersion in Japanese culture, spanning the bustling streets of Tokyo to the organic landscapes of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Robin Leigh aimed to create a unique rock ‘n’ roll concept that fuses wagyu burgers with sushi.



To bring this vision to life, we collaborated with Studio Glitt, the renowned designers behind the global success of Zuma and Roka. Under the creative direction of Noriyoshi Muramatsu, the founder of Studio Glitt, the aesthetic of Ichibuns was conceived. Nori drew inspiration from the Showa era of post-World War II Japan, resulting in a design that won the prestigious Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in 2018.

Aiming to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience and leveraging our connections in Japan, we enlisted Kengo Kuma, one of the world’s most renowned architects, to design a sixteen-seat omakase sushi bar at the Television Centre in White City. The goal was to offer an unforgettable ‘Sushi in the Clouds’ experience. Kengo Kuma's innate ability to craft iconic designs that harmonise with their surroundings was pivotal in achieving this vision.

Robin Leigh sourced hinoki wood from a Japanese temple and innovatively departed from tradition by creating the first ever curved sushi bar. Additionally, a stunning light installation designed by Light IQ won the best lighting award at the Restaurant Design Awards in 2020.

The results were extraordinary: a Michelin star within three months, the best review Giles Coren has given in the The Times in 20 years, and the 2023 GQ Restaurant of the Year award.

Following the success of the first Nobu in Tribeca, Robin Leigh established BondSt in a charming three-story British-style townhouse on Bond Street in NoHo, New York. Twenty-five years ago, we chose this quaint townhouse in a lesser-known part of Manhattan to create one of the most timeless modern Japanese restaurants in the world, BondSt. As the second modern Japanese restaurant globally, BondSt became one of the founding anchor tenants in the NoHo neighbourhood, which has since evolved into one of Manhattan’s most desirable retail locations where creativity meets chic.

Jonathan Moor, the driving force and co-founder of the original 6 BondSt with Robin Leigh, modernised the original design. Jointly, they refreshed the timeless design of 6 BondSt, originally inspired by the simplicity of Christian Liaigre. To achieve a more contemporary aesthetic suitable for the Hudson Yards shopping mall in New York, they collaborated with Jeffrey Beers, one of the most renowned hospitality architects in the USA.

Robin Leigh recognised the extraordinary talent of chef Geoffrey Zakarian, now an Iron Chef with a 3-star rating from The New York Times and one of the most popular presenters on the Food Network. Together they launched the fine dining brand Town in New York, which was acclaimed as the best new restaurant in 2002. Town was designed to set the benchmark for modern American restaurants.

Following the success of Town, Robin Leigh travelled to Thailand where he met Ian Chalermkittichai. Together, they created Kittichai, the best Thai restaurant in the USA. By recruiting the exceptionally talented Thai Executive Chef Ian Kittichai from the Four Seasons Bangkok, they established a unique modern Thai restaurant in Soho, New York, designed to evoke the ambiance of Bangkok.

Kittichai’s success propelled Chef Ian Kittichai to stardom in Thailand, where he is now an Iron Chef, hosts Master Chef Thailand, and runs one of Bangkok's most innovative culinary destinations, Issaya. Kittichai was acclaimed by Conde Nast Traveller as the best Thai restaurant in the USA.