For his eighth property, local restaurateur Mauricio Fraga-Rosenfeld looked to his home. A native of South America, he wanted Yaku (which means “water” in the Incan language) to reflect the fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine developed by Chinese immigrants to Peru in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Scene: Design is always a big deal to Fraga-Rosenfeld, and this space may be his most dramatic. Tucked into the lower level of the uber-luxe Odyssey condo building, floor-to-ceiling glass dominates the two-level space. The room is largely monochromatic, but specially commissioned paintings of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador add a splash of color, as do the movies — of late including “Finding Nemo” and “Shrek” — playing behind the bar. Some low lounge couches and a communal table provide additional seating options. Management expects to open the large front patio for service in spring.
