Neighborhood Business Highlight: YU-GO Oxford

AJ & Claire Kiamie, owners

Where was your first date? Well, AJ & Claire Kiamie fondly remember theirs at the once popular Two Stick restaurant that was located in the back of the now Lyric Theatre on the Oxford Square. It served good sushi and had a cool music scene. The Kiamies wanted to bring Asian cuisine back to the Oxford Square, so YU-GO Oxford was born!

AJ & Claire Kiamie are no strangers to the Oxford restaurant business. They opened The Sipp on South Lamar in 2019 with Cameron Bryant as their Executive Chef. (We will highlight this awesome spot in another post soon!) As Claire shared, “We love the hospitality industry and restaurants have been such a fun, new addition! Our first date was at Two Stick and we’ve missed Asian cuisine on the Square for a long time, so it was the perfect fit for our team.” The Kiamies were approached about the vacant restaurant building, formerly Mesquite Chop House, and with the help of Cameron and their General Manager, Johnny Liberti, they envisioned and created YU-GO Oxford.

AJ Kiamie, Johnny Liberti, Cameron Bryant

When I asked Cameron to describe YU-GO’s cuisine, he shared, “It really is a collaborative process. Our sous chef, Le’Isaac “Big Homie” Darden, and I work on the menu and share it with AJ & Claire. Some of the dishes evolve over time, but the overall theme is Asian fusion with modern flavors.” With small plate dim sum offerings to their larger signature plate offerings, you will not be disappointed! And did we mention their bar menu? YU-GO Oxford was recently awarded the 2022 Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. From Asian inspired specialty cocktails to a fabulous wine selection, you will always find a nice pairing to go with your dinner.

We asked Cameron what he loves most about YU-GO Oxford and he shared, “I love the overall vibe! It’s a warm and welcoming dining room, just a great place to have a conversation with friends over small plates and wine or sake. I love how open the dining room is. It has a very communal atmosphere with our guests walking over to say hi to other guests at other tables.” And did we mention how beautiful the dining room is? You’ll find nothing like it in Oxford.

Looking for a holiday gift idea? YU-GO Oxford has six tastings coming up! Tasting packages can be purchased by emailing events@kiamierestaurants.com. Individual tastings are $35 per person. Three tastings packages are $100, 6 tasting packages are $175 and ALL tasting packages are $325.

We ask our Neighborhood businesses how the Oxford and Lafayette county real estate market affects them. Cameron shared, “It has a huge impact on our business. Restaurants are defined by the community of people who live and work in the area. The community helps to shape restaurants that they support. It also affects tourism in this town. With so many second home owners, it’s an entirely different community that helps to build the restaurant business.”

We are so grateful to YU-GO Oxford for bringing back Asian cuisine and sushi on the Oxford Square and creating that communal vibe that you feel when you walk into the dining room. YU-GO Oxford is located at 1001 Jackson Avenue East. The kitchen is open Monday – Wednesday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Thursday – Saturday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. The bar is open Monday – Wednesday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm and Thursday – Saturday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

Neighborhoods close by: Jefferson Park, Canterbury Square, Ammadelle, Oxford Manor, Bienville Place