THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ozumo Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ozumo Restaurant Review:

Low lighting, a swanky lounge, enormous bar, sprawling floor plan, DJ spinning in the corner… No, this isn't a San Francisco nightclub; it's the second location of Japanese restaurant Ozumo. Every seating area, from the sushi bar to the robata grill, offers an interesting vantage point from which to admire the restaurant's chic modern décor, and high-end prices reflect the setting. Food presentation is equally artistic, with flavor sometimes taking a back seat to aesthetics, as with elaborate towers of nigiri with many layers that muddle the fish's purity. Chef Yo Matsuzaki was trained in both French and Japanese cooking, and favors a bit of fusion. The menu's strength lies in its more unique offerings such as little cups of marinated monkfish liver and meltingly soft maguro cut from beside the bone. Hotpots such as comforting seafood yosenabe are simpler and arrive in beautiful earthenware braziers, as does the tasty chocolate fondue with tropical fruit. Ozumo's saké list is awe-inspiring, with more than 90 brands featured. Luckily, the friendly staff have all been trained and are ready to assist with suggestions and advice. "Learn to speak Japanese" soundtracks in the restrooms are also useful.