The Challenge
Tabletop yakiniku is one of the most technically demanding builds in the business. Every table is its own grill, so the space has to handle real heat and smoke at dozens of points at once and still feel warm, refined, and easy for the staff to work. Get the air wrong and the room fills up; get the finishes wrong and it stops feeling special. Both had to be right.
What We Built
We outfitted the dining room with smokeless downdraft grills at every seat, pulling smoke down and away before it ever reaches the guest. Behind that sits a ventilation system engineered specifically for the grill load, balanced so the room stays comfortable from the first table to the last. We wrapped it in custom millwork, warm 2700K lighting, and finishes chosen to set the mood without ever fighting the function.
The Result
A space that holds up through a packed Friday night and still feels like an occasion, technical where it counts and beautiful where it shows. Manpuku opened to a strong response, including coverage from Eater Dallas, and quickly became one of the city’s go-to spots for authentic Japanese BBQ.
