Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia Welcomes Uchi for a Collaboration Preview Dinner at Vernick Fish

Vernick Fish at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center will host a one-night-only collaboration dinner with Uchi, the acclaimed, James Beard Award–winning restaurant from Austin, Texas. On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, celebrated Chef Tyson Cole will join fellow James Beard Award winner Chef Greg Vernick in the kitchen to present a special preview of Uchi ahead of its highly anticipated Philadelphia debut this fall.

The evening will begin with guests enjoying a specialty Uchi cocktail before indulging in the five-course family-style menu. Chef Vernick and Chef Cole have created an experience featuring both restaurant’s signature dishes. The dinner will feature Vernick Fish’s celebrated bread service, an oyster platter and crudo, pasta and octopus course, and signature entrees and desserts created by both culinary teams.

“I’ve admired Chef Tyson for years, having experienced his restaurants in Austin, where the quality of fish and the overall experience left a lasting impression,” said Chef Vernick. “To now welcome him into our kitchen and cook alongside him as he and the Uchi team prepare for their opening feels special. This dinner is about celebrating their success so far and all that lies ahead for them here.”

Reservations will be available on Vernick Fish’s website starting on Tuesday, September 9. Priced at USD 190++ per person, seatings are available in the dining room and at the bar from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Diners at the bar will also have the option of an al la carte menu.

"Partnering with a chef and team the calibre of Greg Vernick and Vernick Fish is the perfect way for us to introduce Uchi to Philly,” said Chef Cole. “The team has been so welcoming, and we are excited to share this dinner with our new Philly neighbours."

About Uchi

Uchi is renowned for its modern approach to Japanese dining, blending traditional ingredients and techniques with American and European influences. The menu offers a variety of omakase experiences alongside dishes such as Uchi’s popular Hama Chili (yellowtail sashimi), Hirame Usuzukuri (flounder with candied quinoa and olive oil), and Machi Cure (smoked yellowtail with yuca crisp and Marcona almond). Founded in Austin in 2003, Uchi has since expanded to Dallas, Houston, Miami, Denver, Scottsdale, and West Hollywood under Chef Cole’s Hai Hospitality group. In 2011, Chef Cole was recognized with the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest.

Uchi Philadelphia, designed by Hai Hospitality’s in-house Hai Design Studio in collaboration with Zebra and Philadelphia’s Rohe Creative, will feature 165 seats, including a 24-seat bar and sushi bar, a 14-seat outdoor terrace, and an expansive dining room. The restaurant is slated to open in mid-November 2025.

About Hai Hospitality 

Hai Hospitality is an award-winning restaurant group based in Austin, Texas that began with Uchi, Japanese for ‘home,’ and so named for the little red house where Chef Tyson Cole first created his non-traditional take on elevated Japanese cuisine in 2003. Hai Hospitality concepts now include Uchi (with locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Miami, Scottdale and West Hollywood); Uchiko (Austin, Houston, and Plano); Uchibā (Austin and Dallas); The omakase tasting room Oheya (Houston); and LORO Asian Smokehouse and Bar (Austin, Houston, Dallas Metro).  Hai Hospitality gives each of their restaurants the space to create and cultivate their own identities and supports them in a variety of capacities so that each location has the freedom to grow while still being part of the bigger family — a family that has a common set of core values; a shared vision for food, service, and design; and a collective pool of knowledge and expertise to draw upon no matter where they call home.

About Vernick Fish

An American oyster bar that celebrates ingredient-driven cooking and a love for global flavours, resulting in an inventive seafood menu and a range of vegetable preparations. Located on the ground-floor of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at the intersection of Arch and North 19th Streets, Vernick Fish features an expansive dining room, chef counter, bar and lounge area, as well as a private dining room. To make a reservation, click here.