Omakase is a Japanese dining concept in which guests leave it up to the chef to select and serve dishes. The chef typically works behind a dining counter as is the case here where an L-shaped counter made of Avocatus stone, a rare quartzite with a leathered finish, dominates the compact space. Sporting a mesmerising green-blue hue, the counter stands out against the wood-clad room where the property’s original oak parquet flooring and ceiling panelling are paired with custom-made oak and burl wood veneer panels on the walls. Rosso Lepanto marble stone details demarcating the kitchen area add pops of colour as does the three-panel mural depicting the colourful feathers of the Eastern Rosella parrot. The latter was created based on illustrator Hollie Kelley’s watercolour painting which the team commissioned as a nod to Bar Miller’s older sibling, the Rosella sushi restaurant.

A sculptural light pendant suspended above the counter is the work of Pablo Bolumar, a Madrid-based designer who employs a low-resolution 3D-printing process to create bioplastic ellipsoid forms. The pendant’s contemporary lines are juxtaposed with the vintage scallop shell wall lights whose aquatic theme is echoed in the bathroom where a Japanese paper lantern hand-painted with fish by New York-based artist Claire Dufournier is paired with a wavy-shaped oak-framed mirror and green ceramic tiling. Hand-crafted bar stools from sustainable manufacturer Maderas Collective along with hand-crafted ceramic vases by Fefostudio further underline the scheme’s craft-centric sensibility.

In contrast to most of New York’s high-end sushi spots that boast rare ingredients flown in daily from fish markets on the other side of the world, Bar Miller prioritizes local seafood and produce fish, whilst avoiding overfished species, serving a 15-course omakase menu created in partnership with chef James Dumapit. The eco-conscious ethos extends to the beverage offerings which comprise local, small batch, and sustainable wine, cider, and beer mostly from natural makers.