Today’s restaurants and entertainment venues often chase trends, but CEO Freddy Braidi has committed himself to creating cultural destinations that celebrate history, community, and architecture. His company, Boulevard Hospitality Group, more commonly known as BHG, has grown from a Los Angeles-based business into one of the country’s most influential names in hospitality. With expansions now reaching Miami and Orange County, Braidi’s hospitality empire is all about reinvention. BHG is his prized possession, an enterprise that makes venues better places to eat, gather, celebrate, and experience the areas around them. And as the company continues to enter new markets, Braidi is more energized than ever about expanding BHG’s vision even further across the United States.
A highlight of the company’s portfolio is Yamashiro Hollywood, a century-old architectural landmark in the Hollywood Hills that is known for its Japanese-inspired pagodas, koi ponds, and views. When BHG took the reins at the restaurant, it also inherited the responsibility to preserve its history. Under Executive Chef Jae Hee Lee, the restaurant utilizes seasonality, technique, and respect for the property’s origins to guide the menu, just as cultural preservation guides the venue’s programming. This is a place where Los Angeles history and modern dining can coexist, attracting devoted locals as well as curious travelers.
The company’s most ambitious project so far, Yamashiro Miami, is BHG’s first expansion outside of California. Located atop the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences, the 9,000-square-foot restaurant takes the essence of its Hollywood predecessor into a new environment. The Miami iteration incorporates local seafood, skyline views, tropical elements, and a unique atmosphere that reflects the city’s energy. Its opening proved that historical inspiration does not have to remain tethered to its original locale, and when handled correctly, it can flourish.
Despite its growing national presence, BHG’s foundation is still in Los Angeles, where the company continues to influence the city’s hospitality landscape through its projects. One of the most distinctive is the Kodō Hotel and Restaurant, a reuse of a 1920s fire station in the Arts District. Designed by Jen Whitaker and Emi Kitawaki of Gry Space, the property combines history with a serene Japanese minimalist aesthetic. The Kodō Restaurant beneath it serves sushi, small plates, and cocktails that prioritize refinement. BHG lets the building tell its story, then creates a hospitality experience around it.
In late 2025, BHG extended into Orange County with the debut of Ilya Restaurant, a Mediterranean-inspired concept located just blocks from the shore. Led by Chef Charbel Hayek, Ilya brings the flavors of the Mediterranean coast to Southern California through a unique menu. Mezze with housemade pita, hummus, muhammara, and olives has become a customer favorite. Other signature dishes such as lobster spaghetti and an Australian rack of lamb reflect BHG’s culinary precision. As both a dining destination and a gathering space for celebrations, Ilya demonstrates a warm, inviting atmosphere that characterizes BHG’s coastal expansions.
While many hospitality groups focus on rapid expansion or trends, BHG’s strategy centers around endurance. BHG’s greatest long-term advantage is that it relies on the appeal of a place. By incorporating history, architecture, and culture into each space, BHG creates destinations that attract guests and will remain relevant decades from now. As BHG prepares for further national expansion, Braidi is entering an exciting phase of his career. The success of Yamashiro Miami and Ilya point toward a future filled with new cities, partnerships, and opportunities.
For more information about Freddy Braidi and Boulevard Hospitality Group, visit https://boulevardhg.com/.