Omakase and Sailor Moon Cocktails Arrive at Detroit’s Book Tower, and Other News

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In Detroit’s Book Tower, Omakase and Sailor Moon Cocktails

As the latest arrival in Louis Kamper’s landmark Book Tower—transformed by Bedrock into a quintet of food and drink tenants, a Roost Apartment Hotel, and parcel of private apartments—Hiroki-San enlivens a 4,100-square-foot space on the lower level. Shoji screens and ceilings defined by hand-hewn cypress beams freshen up walls clad in the building’s original plaster. The refined omakase experience unfolds at the intimate arrangements of 108 seats, with a dozen at the chef’s counter and 16 in a private room. Diners interested in a casual meal might try Sakazuki, the anime-themed spot upstairs, where Method Co.’s creative beverage directors Natasha David and Jeremy Oertel sling sake and Sailor Moons (Riku gin, lemon juice, Sakura, lychee) with sandos and yoshoku.

Executive chef Hiroki Fujiyama trained under Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto before opening Philly standby Hiroki. For his new Motor City location, he devised a menu mixing traditional and modern Japanese cuisine: wagyu from the Miyazaki prefecture, Binchotan charcoal-grilled skewers, and curry katsu. The ample whiskey and sake programs are joined by a thorough selection of reimagined Japanese cocktails. The Bamboo Cutter blends umeshu, chilled jasmine tea, and peach, while the Shinkai fuels up with gin, lillet blanc, yuzu sake, lemon juice, and yellow chartreuse. —Jesse Dorris

The Vessel in New York’s Hudson Yards plans to reopen with enhanced safety measures.

The Vessel, a prominent 150-foot-tall structure in New York City’s Hudson Yards, plans to reopen later this year with enhanced safety features like floor-to-ceiling steel mesh after closing due to multiple suicides. Originally designed by Thomas Heatherwick and costing $260 million, the sculpture faced significant criticism and was labeled a “staircase to nowhere,” with previous safety measures like entrance fees and visitor restrictions proving ineffective at preventing people from jumping. The developers, Related Companies, hope to preserve the Vessel’s appeal while addressing safety concerns raised by past tragedies and community feedback.

A new report suggests Hermès could eclipse Louis Vuitton as luxury’s biggest brand.

Citigroup analysts predict Hermès could eclipse Louis Vuitton as the luxury sector’s top brand by revenue, forecasting sales to reach or exceed €20 billion ($21.246 billion) by 2027—a milestone Louis Vuitton achieved in 2022. Hermès has maintained robust growth, supported by its strategic pricing and control over distribution, and is poised to expand in categories including ready-to-wear and jewelry. Despite broader industry concerns of a slowdown in luxury demand, Hermès shares have surged 20 percent this year, outperforming the sector’s average and reflecting its strong market position driven by exclusive clientele and limited product availability.

Nike unveils conceptual gear designed for Paris Olympics athletes with the help of AI.

At a Paris Olympics preview, Nike unveiled a series of conceptual products designed specifically for 13 Olympic athletes using its Air technology. The company introduced the Air Max Dn, featuring a pioneering two-stage airbag system that enhances the walking experience and creates a striking visual impression of weightlessness. Nike’s approach combines generative AI and 3D rendering to rapidly prototype sneaker-inspired athletic gear, blending high fashion with advanced functionality for athletes Zheng Qinwen, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Kylian Mbappé.

In L.A., the 101 freeway will undergo closures to make way for a large wildlife crossing.

Construction will begin on the world’s largest wildlife crossing over Los Angeles’ 101 Freeway, affecting traffic with overnight weekday closures starting Monday. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, aimed to aid mountain lions and other wildlife in safely traversing busy freeways, will connect habitats between the Santa Monica and Santa Susana mountains. Funded by more than 5,000 donations and set to complete in 2025, this pioneering project will bolster genetic diversity among mountain lions and serve as a model for urban wildlife conservation globally.

Israeli artist Ruth Patir shutters her Venice Biennale show until a ceasefire is reached.

Amid protests urging a ban on Israel’s participation in the Venice Biennale over its actions in Gaza, the Israeli pavilion has been closed by choice of its artist Ruth Patir, signaling a stand for peace contingent on a ceasefire and hostage release. “The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a cease-fire and hostage release agreement is reached,” reads a sign the Israeli team taped to the pavilion’s door. Visitors can still view one of Patir’s video pieces reflecting her sadness over the conflict through the pavilion’s windows.

Today’s attractive distractions:

The Lebanese-American artist and poet Etel Adnan receives a Google Doodle.

A poll suggests younger Americans are sleeping less and are more stressed…

…while Gen Z has recently stoked somewhat of an erotica novel renaissance.

New research suggests Roman wine tasted much better than we once thought.