395 Santa Monica Place Santa Monica, CA 90401
424-214-5130
Ozumo Santa Monica
Eventssm@ozumo.com
If you are in the mood for a traditional Japanese happy hour that won’t cost lots of yen, check out Ozumo, located at the third floor of Santa Monica Place. This is the third restaurant in the Ozumo family, with the other two being located in San Francisco and Oakland. A dead ringer for her sister restaurants apparently, this Ozumo is a hit in my book! The ambience is unpretentious yet well-designed, both inside and out.
The bartender, Kate Kramzar makes extra special rounds of cocktails; some of the must tries include the following: Khyuri Smash (Muddled cucumber and lime, Nolet gin, pomegranate juice, lemon juice and soda), Giddy Geisha (Vodka, lychee juice, passion fruit puree, lychee garnish), Sumo Punch (Vodka, gin, pineapple juice, cranberry juice and a secret Ozumo add-on), Nettai-Bai (Sho Chiku Bai, coconut vodka, pineapple juice, coconut milk).
If you’re craving for unique and flavorful bar food, you should try the featured Duck Tataki (Duck with mushrooms and spinach ohitashi), Meat and Potatoes (Braised Washu gyu and root vegetables), Sushi Combo (California & spicy tuna rolls and Chef’s nigiri selection), Tostada (Salmon belly tostada with spicy mayo and caramelized onions), Calamari Steak (Calamari strips with lemon butter sauce), and Croquettes (Blue crab croquettes with spinach cream cheese aioli). All these dishes can be found on the new Bar Menu, are all under $12, and served from 5:30 to closing daily.
Ozumo lately started a new campaign dubbed “Love the Locals”, which is only for Santa Monica and Venice residents, giving more value to your money at Happy Hour. All day every Wednesday, items on the featured menu are only $3.00. Proof of residency is required, but what a deal!
Ozumo has a Kanpai Keep Bottle Club. When you buy your first bottle of sake from their wide array of sake list, Ozumo will purchase the second one for you.
Ozumo features Endless Sushi on Mondays, Tempura Tuesdays, and Love the Locals day on Wednesdays. Every Friday and Saturday, they have a DJ. With scenic private dining rooms and sectioned restaurant, Ozumo is an excellent choice for you to host parties, big or small.
Let me know how you like it if you take my recommendation!
Cheers!
