JOIN US
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AT AQUANOVA BREWERY
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APRIL 4th 12pm-10pm
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April 5th 12pm-8pm
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JOIN US ~~~ AT AQUANOVA BREWERY ~~~ APRIL 4th 12pm-10pm ~~~ April 5th 12pm-8pm ~~~
WHAT IS UTAMAMI?
/uː.tɑːˈmɑː.mi/ follows the philosophy of Itameshi cuisine, bringing together Italian staples elevated through Japanese ingredients and technique. Utamami proudly presents a menu that accommodates a variety of dietary preferences, including GF, DF, and vegetarian options.
At its core, Utamami is about indulging the senses. The name Utamami draws from two inspirations: Uta (うた), the Japanese word for poem, and Mami, the Italian word for mom. Together they represent what we believe food should be: crafted with love, intention, and harmony, like a poem written in flavour and a meal made at home.
Meet the Team
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![A young man with brown hair, wearing a white button-up shirt and beige plaid pants, standing against a dark background and smiling.]()
Max Riemschneider
OWNER & OPERATOR
Driven by hospitality and a love for Italian and Japanese cuisine, Max created Utamami to unite two cultures in Hamilton. -
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David Caban
CHEF DE CUISINE
Tempered by the heat of the kitchen and years of craft, David drives Utamami’s pursuit of bold flavor, precision, and relentless culinary curiosity. -
![A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black shirt and black pants, smiling and standing against a plain dark background.]()
Shizuho Enami
SERVICE SUPERVISOR
Refined in Japan’s luxury world and seasoned in Toronto’s Japanese food scene, Shizuho brings warmth and vibrant hospitality to Utamami.
Who We Are
Max, David, Shizuho & Simon
Utamami was born from a shared love of food, culture, and hospitality. While much of our team grew up within the Japanese hospitality scene, our appreciation for Italian cuisine has always been just as strong. There is something truly special about Italian cooking, the way simple ingredients are treated with care and transformed into dishes with incredible depth of flavour.
When the time came to imagine what kind of restaurant we wanted to open, bringing these two culinary worlds together felt like the most natural choice. Italian and Japanese cuisines share many values: respect for ingredients, thoughtful technique, and the belief that food should be both comforting and memorable. Utamami celebrates these traditions by bringing them together in a way that feels both familiar and new.
Our goal is for Utamami to become a place where the community can gather, a restaurant that feels elevated yet approachable. Above all, we believe hospitality should be genuine, warm, and inclusive. Everything we do is guided by our core pillars: Love, Passion, Equality, and Respect.
We are incredibly proud to bring Hamilton a new and exciting combination of flavours, and we look forward to welcoming you to our table.
— The Utamami Team ᢉ𐭩
Contact Us
We’re happy to help with any questions, concerns, or event inquiries you may have. Please include as much detail as possible so our team can assist you quickly and effectively. Specific information helps us greatly!
Kindly allow up to two business days for a response, though we always aim to get back to you sooner.