PRESS KIT

BACKGROUNDER

TORA CORPORATIONEstablished in Japan in 1955, Tora Corporation is an internationally-renowned family restaurant group. In 2002 the famed restaurant group was taken over by Seigo Nakamura when his father named him director, following four generations of lineage. Under Nakamura’s direction, Tora has grown into a global brand most noted for its quality food and sustainable policies. With seven established restaurants in Japan, Tora is excited to make its North American debut with Miku.

Tora offers a superior dining experience for its guests with each location it opens. This dedication to the customer is chieved through its flawless execution and training of the company’s three mainstays: people, product and corporate vision.

www.mikurestaurant.com

Japanese Restaurateur Debuts in Vancouver

Oct 14, 2008 (Vancouver, BC) – A Japanese restaurateur, renowned for his flame-seared sushi, is opening his first of three North American restaurants in Vancouver this fall. Seigo Nakamura, 32, will build on his seven-restaurant empire with the debut of Miku, a Japanese fusion restaurant located in the hub of Vancouver’s business district.

“Miku will offer a form of sushi Vancouver hasn’t seen yet,” said Nakamura. “We chose Vancouver because of its competitive restaurant market and global appeal.”

Nakamura’s top chefs from Japan will be flown into Vancouver to showcase their Aburi-style sushi, which will be infused with savory French sauces. A Kyoto-trained pastry chef is also being brought in to oversee Miku’s artistic dessert menu.

While its innovative cuisine promises to attract, people will stay for the ambience. Created by Arca 3 Design Studio Inc, an award-winning architectural firm based out of Vancouver, Miku’s interior integrates the raw elements of the Earth with contemporary colours and an ethereal design.

Miku is scheduled to open this fall at 1055 Hastings Street, followed by two sister restaurants in LA and New York. For a sneak peek at the menu or to schedule an interview with its founders refer to contacts listed below.

First Aburi-style Sushi Restaurant Opens in Vancouver

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ABOUT MIKU

WHAT IS MIKU?PEOPLE People come first at Miku. Tora Corporation believes in hiring people who are passionate about service and caring for others. Extensively trained staff members are the restaurant’s heart, providing a sense of community for guests as well as each other. Management takes a genuine interest in employees, discovering and supporting their long-term life goals. This translates into a warm and pleasurable environment unparalleled by any other Vancouver eatery.

FOOD Fresh ingredients, global inspiration and artful presentation are Miku’s recipe for delectable cuisine. From its signature Aburi-style sushi, lightly seared and infused with savory French sauces, to its tantalizing meats, tenderized by Sumiyaki grilling, Miku introduces cutting-edge culinary techniques to Vancouver. Organic, local ingredients enhance the flavour of Miku’s innovative menu, which is carefully paired with fine wines and sake. The restaurant’s delectable desserts created by its Kyoto-trained pastry chef are an experience on their own.

SUSTAINABILITY All efforts are made to use local products to help B.C.’s economy and lessen Miku’s carbon footprint. The only exception is when the product is locally unavailable. Eco-friendly building materials were heavily incorporated into Miku’s design while local talent was commissioned to create everything from its glass ceilings to its pebbled pathways.

LOCATION Vancouver represents the best of the West Coast. Its competitive and culturally saturated restaurant industry posed the perfect environment for Miku to showcase its innovative cuisine and service to North America. Miku’s sustainable policies integrate well with Vancouver’s eco-friendly practices and its unprecedented sushi techniques promise to delight the city’s dedicated sushi following.

DESIGN In Japanese, Miku translates into “beautiful sky.” This meaning became the source of inspiration behind the immaculately executed design concept by renowned Arca 3 Design Studio Inc. Natural elements were used to create the restaurant’s most notable features including its glass waterfall, pebble stone pathway, white marble countertops and its distinguished floating glass cloud ceiling. Sustainable, eco-friendly materials are a signature of Arca 3’s design; a reason they are one of North America’s most sought-out design firms.

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS AVAILAIBLE AT WWW.MIKURESTAURANT.COM FOR MEDIA USE

WHAT IS MIKU?

BIOS

SEIGO NAKAMURA, Owner

Seigo Nakamura, 32, is a passionate restaurateur. At the young age of 22 Nakamura took over his family’s international brand, Tora Corporation, which included two Japanese restaurants. It was Nakamura’s mission to take his family’s empire to the next level by creating an internationally acclaimed group of restaurants specializing in innovative culinary arts. Nakamura’s years of restaurant experience led him to discover the secret to a fine-dining experience was to pair

diverse, healthy and organic cuisine with superior customer service – a recipe he incorporates into every restaurant he opens. Under his direction Tora Corporation added four Japanese franchise restaurants including its most recent: Miku Aburi Sushi Gourmet Restaurant in Vancouver British Columbia. Miku is Nakamura’s North American debut.

TAI HASUMI, General Manager

Tai Hasumi started his restaurant career managing Nobu in Tokyo, an upscale international restaurant. His passion for creating extraordinary experiences for his guests led him to join Tora Corporation in 2007 as general manager for Miku Aburi Sushi Restaurant. Hasumi combines his years of expertise in guest service and inventory management with his knowledge of high-end culinary cuisine to spearhead Tora Corporation’s debut in North America. Under his guidance Miku will

offer a people-first environment unparalleled by any Vancouver restaurant.

Timothy Bullinger, Arca 3 Design Studio Inc.

Arca 3 Design Studio Inc. is an architecture & design firm renowned for its international designs. Past projects have included everything from residential designs for Phil Collins and Davis (Max) Factor to commercial creations in Japan, Europe and North America. During his career, Bullinger has received many accolades for his work in the architectural and design industry. In 1992 he received the Los Angeles Green Design Committee “Innovation Award” for the implementation of “Green”

technology in design and construction. His aesthetic stamp is put on almost every part of Miku’s design from its menu to its floor plan. His concept for Miku involves heavy use of natural and sustainable elements to create a globally inspired ambience.

PEOPLE

SAMPLE MENU

www.mikurestaurant.com

APPETIZER Aburi Tuna flavoured with Masatake Sauce Served with fresh greens, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers and jalapenos

Miku Sashimi Special Tuna, salmon, scallops, yellow tail and three featured sashimi items

Miku New Style Carpaccio Balsamic sauce

ENTRÉE Aburi Salmon Served with your choice of white oyster sauce or wasabi soy sauce

Aburi Chicken Our specialty aburi chicken served with your choice of garlic sauce or yuzu-kosho

Aburi Beef Served with your choice of sansho sauce or fresh salsa

ABURI STYLE SUSHI Aburi Sushi Excellent SelectFour featured nigiri and two pieces of miku’s original aburi roll

Miku Original RollSalmon, cucumber, sea urchin, crab mayonaise, golden caviar

Aburi Saba Bo SushiCharcoal grilled shime saba oshi sushi

KISHIMEN PASTA White Cream SauceServed with B.C. chicken and cheese, accented with balsamic sauce

Tomato SauceSoft-shell crab and seasonal seafoods served with eggplant and zucchini

Cajun SpiceGarlic chicken served with jalapeno’s and miku style salsa

PEOPLE

Aburi Restaurants Canada Ltd., Main Floor, Guinness Tower#2 - 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2E9

www.mikurestaurant.com