Freddy Braidi’s Boulevard Hospitality Group is Creating the Venues Everyone Wants Access To
Los Angeles has endless restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, yet only a small number become places people return to year after year. This is why Freddy Braidi has spent his career creating the kinds of destinations that stand out among the masses. After working as a film executive in Hollywood for several years, Braidi has since turned his focus toward hospitality, bringing with him an understanding of pacing and emotion. As the founder and CEO of Boulevard Hospitality Group (BHG), he now oversees a portfolio of one-of-a-kind properties across the city. His work shows that hospitality, when approached correctly, can preserve cultural identities with new energy.
Boulevard Hospitality Group was formed to unite hospitality and culture through entertainment, dining, and hotel food and beverage concepts. From the start, BHG was less interested in expansion and more focused on reactivating spaces that already held meaning to people in the area. Braidi saw that many of Los Angeles’ most interesting locations carried emotional weight for the public. “Early on, I realized we weren’t just opening restaurants, we were reviving places people already had an emotional connection to,” he said. That insight changed the company’s direction, and the measure of BHG’s success became whether guests stayed longer than expected because the environment convinced them to linger.
This concept influences how BHG approaches experiential hospitality. Sound, lighting, service flow, cuisine, and architectural design are considered together, forming a cohesive experience that feels more immersive than typical Los Angeles venues. “If you respect a location’s soul and layer hospitality, design, and cuisine thoughtfully, you can turn a venue into a cultural destination, not just a dining room,” he explained. At BHG, the goal is to leave a long-lasting impression that guests carry with them.
Kodō Hotel and Restaurant in Los Angeles’ Arts District is a popular example of this approach. The property occupies a former 1920s fire station, a structure with its own unique history. Instead of masking that past, BHG used it as a starting point. Named “Kodō,” meaning “heartbeat” in Japanese, the project emphasizes continuity and renewal. The building was transformed into a boutique hotel and dining destination, with design led by Jen Whitaker and Emi Kitawaki of Gry Space. Below the hotel, Kodō Restaurant is a Japanese bistro offering small plates, sushi, and cocktails. The atmosphere is intimate, with details such as fireplace seating and vegetarian-friendly options contributing to a balanced experience.
Above the city in the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro Hollywood is another one-of-a-kind dimension of BHG’s portfolio. First opened in the early 1900s and now an official Historic Resource by the City of Los Angeles, the property is known for its Japanese-inspired architecture and expansive views. Over decades, it has attracted artists, performers, and public figures, becoming embedded in the city’s cultural history. “We honor the architecture, the gardens, and the cultural significance, then thoughtfully modernize behind the scenes: service standards, culinary execution, technology, and flow,” he said. In this way, Braidi’s goal with BHG venues is continuity, allowing the spaces to evolve over time without losing their cultural relevance.
At Yamashiro Hollywood, Executive Chef Jae Hee Lee brings a modern touch to traditional Japanese cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes on his menu include the Edamame Truffle Dumplings, Ginger Pork Spare Ribs, Chasu Pork Chop, and Yamashiro’s famous sushi rolls. Even vegetarians can feel at home at Yamashiro, with diet-friendly options like the Avocado Crispy Rice, Cucumber Salad, a variety of noodle dishes, and more. After dinner, guests can walk through gardens and dining rooms that feel composed and luxurious, where service and setting work together. Putting all of these elements together, Yamashiro has become a destination for romantic dinners, private events, and large-scale gatherings.
BHG’s commitment to improving the city’s venues is also evident at Rokusho LA, located on the Sunset Strip. In collaboration with Three Star Lane, Rokusho is a more modern expression of Braidi’s goals. Here, Head Chef Carlos Couts has created a seasonal menu designed to change throughout the year. Signature dishes include a layered Sushi Cake topped with shiso flower, Ao Nori paste, avocado, and fresh fish, as well as Gindara Saikyo Yaki, a miso-marinated black cod finished with yuzu beurre blanc. Live-prepared nigiri introduces a direct connection between the guests and team, while beverages like rare sake, wines, and specialty cocktails complete the experience. “I look for chefs who respect tradition but aren’t constrained by it, people who understand that food is part of a larger narrative,” he said. Chefs and staff are expected to consider the room and the audience, ensuring that hospitality goes farther than what appears on the plate.
In November, Boulevard Hospitality Group expanded beyond California for the first time with the opening of Yamashiro Miami. On top of the Gale Miami Hotel and Residences at 159 NE 6th Street, the 9,000 square foot venue features indoor and outdoor dining areas with views of Miami’s skyline. The project is a big accomplishment for BHG, introducing more than a century of Yamashiro history to a new city. “The challenge was translating Yamashiro’s DNA without copying it,” Braidi expressed. Miami’s unique climate and hospitality culture required adaptation, resulting in a concept influenced by both heritage and local context. The design of Yamashiro Miami references its Los Angeles counterpart through bonsai trees, koi ponds, fire features, and water elements, along with a bar inspired by Japanese temple architecture. But at the same time, it embraces Miami’s energy and nightlife. Seasonal adjustments allow the food menu to be responsive to local seafood and produce, and the beverage menu incorporates Japanese spirits, tropical ingredients, and premium sake.
With each of its projects, Boulevard Hospitality Group maintains an approach of respect and emotional resonance. As BHG’s presence extends beyond Los Angeles, its venues show that hospitality can connect people not only to a place, but to the experience of being there.
