- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Ozumo
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
2251 Broadway(between Grand Ave & 23rd St)
Oakland, CA 94612
Neighbourhood: Uptown
(510) 286-9866
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Sun 4:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
546 reviews for Ozumo
Review Highlights
-
"Then I discovered 4-8pm happy hour everyday." In 131 reviews -
"Black Cod grilled on their Robata Grill." In 23 reviews -
"The highlight of the food was the gindara black cod." In 16 reviews
Loading...
546 reviews in English
-
Review from Ken B.
Oakland, CA
5/22/2012
Our office is close and I've been here several times after work. We are slowly starting to become regulars! This is an upscale restaurant so its nice to be remembered when we come in and treated like old friends by the host and waitstaff.
Our regular server Megu is very warm, funny and knowledgeable. You will never go wrong if she is in charge. The first time she gently took the reins and all her recommendations, from the cocktails, hot tea, sushi and starters were spot on. She makes excellent recommendations. We regularly enjoy the hamachi carpaccio, kanpachi, tuna tartare and chips, calamari, roasted chicken (the best), and lots and lots, and lots of sushi.
Dishes are always paced with perfection and delivered by a variety of friendly faces. I only wish their tables were bigger.
Cocktails are fun and delicious too - we've tried practically every single one on their menu and again our server's suggestions were the best ones. Even her wine pairings are good - I had no idea I liked merlots until her last recommendation. -
Review from Jason L.
5/1/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This place is a hit or miss... VERY trendy, caters to the upscale business class, and the food, drinks and service is pretty spotty. I've been here for lunch 3-4 times and afterwork for drinks and appetizers a couple of times. There's been one time during lunch where there were only 2 other tables occupied and another time where there were 10+ tables occupied, so I think that really determines the service you're going to get. They're either over staffed or understaffed in that manner.
Food is pretty good, but I wouldn't call it "great". The sashimi is average and nothing to boast about, specialty rolls are good, tempura (they don't use the panko breading...which I was looking forward to) so I wasn't a fan of it, salads are good, short ribs are probably the best here, and I've tried a couple of other things that didn't quite stand out in my eyes. The mixed drinks come out on the sweet side so expect to order more than one if you're hear to "drink" or stick with the beer or sake flights. Overall, I'd rate their food and drinks 3.5 stars. I do like the fact they have an extensive sake menu. -
Review from William C.
Concord, CA
4/29/2012
Came here to wait for our reservations and the drinks and wait staff were amazing. They had free drinks samples to support the launch of a new ice tea flavored liquor. They, also, have a late happy hour, which is AMAZING. \
Didn't try the sushi but will very soon.Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 5/10/2012
Hi William, Thanks for posting the great experience! It is… More » -
Review from Beata P.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food is pretty good but way overpriced. Great cocktails though.
Don't get seated by the stairs... You gonna hear Japanese greeting from the hostess to the cooks every time she brings new guests upstairs. So loud and obnoxious!Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 5/21/2012
Hi Beata, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the food and… More » -
Review from Cory N.
San Jose, CA
4/23/2012
Had am amazing dinner at Oakland's Ozumo over the weekend - I will definitely be back soon! Some of my favorites we tried (although everything we ordered was delicious) was the spicy tuna tartare starter, the unique and fresh sushi (jalapeno hamachi a must try), and the buttery blackened cod (my favorite entree). The staff were all very helpful and friendly, especially appreciated how thoughtfully we were taken care of. Can't remember the last time I experienced this caliber of service at a restaurant. Very impressive.
We were dining with family, but the next time I return, I plan to sit at their bar for a drink (or two) with my wife, as the music was awesome - perfect atmosphere to unwind at the end of a long work-week.
As a first timer to this place, I was blown away - so excited to have found you - Ozumo!Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/30/2012
Hi Cory, Thank you for the compliments and for planning your… More » -
Review from Cody P.
Oakland, CA
5/17/2012
Decent happy hour specials on beer but the sushi/appetizers were incredibly disappointing for the absurdly expensive price. Came with a groupon which made it somewhat reasonable for beers, but the food seamed overpriced even at half the price. With so many quality options for sushi in the bay area, I am inclined to think Ozuma makes their money off catering to the want to be posh business crowd. i could see taking Client's to here for a lunch but I won't be bringing a date or friends anytime soon. If you are looking for quality sushi instead of a kitsch atmosphere I recommend Mijori near the lake. if you are in SF Ki is way better and only a couple of blocks away for the upscale/club sushi scene.
-
Review from Sandra S.
4/16/2012
All I have to say is order the Bucho rolls. MMM MMM Good!!!!
When my friend recommended it I thought oh god, I hope it's good since I don't each much sushi. Boy was her recommendation on point. So on point that we ordered 3 orders for us to share. MMM MMM Good...oh did I say that already. LOL
Also, the garlic and soy edamame was to die for. I swear...hands down, the best edamame I've ever tasted.
Let's not forget about the champagne chan drinks that I had 3 of. YIKES!!!
The food was excellent, the service was great and the ambiance was just want I needed after a killer week.
FYI - Be careful though...the bill slowly adds up. Damage for 2 - $130 after tip. YIKES!!!!!Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/18/2012
Hi Sandra, Thank you for your great review! I also LOVE the… More » -
Review from Minerva L.
Fremont, CA
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Expensive, but yet pretty good...
The Uni risotto was just a bit too much. It's made out of brown rice, but it's so heavy..Too cheesy for me...the uni itself was really good though..
I ordered the cod..it was super creamy..i didn't know cod tasted like that..almost like a seabass but less creamy..The seaweed pretty good..I thought the portion was small but it turns out it's not bad..
Jidori ckn..omg it taste better than KFC and smells great just like it..the mushrooms n eggplant is hecka good..
It's quite expensive, but it's really nice inside..kinda classy too..too bad no free dessert for anniversary..but it's upscale..
The unagi sashimi is really good..yum...with all of that it was around $85 bucks..Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/23/2012
Hi Minerva, Thank you for joining us at Ozumo, and we really… More » -
Review from rpm r.
San Ramon, CA
4/15/2012
Came for lunch a couple weeks ago -
Miso soup
Kaiso seaweed salad
Kobe burger
Gyu Bento
The restaurant is beautiful - different accented areas, I had the bento w/ rib eye - it was very good. Pricey, however very good, unfortunately I left hungry still - I should have ordered a kobe burger to go :/Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/18/2012
Hi RPM, We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the… More » -
Review from Rosie M.
San Jose, CA
4/23/2012
Delicious food, five star service and a very modern and nice ambiance. Ozumo is one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The Kobe beef is out of this world. The sushi is top notch. Black cod is fresh, buttery and flakes apart, so tasty!
The GM Greg was extremely friendly and passionate about his product. He also selected a few delicious sake's for us which was very helpful.
I'll definitely be back as this was an overall great dining experience.Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/30/2012
Hi Rosie, Thank you so much for posting your wonderful… More » -
Review from Furai X.
Berkeley, CA
4/7/2012
Ambiance: top-notch. beautiful decorations in all of the spaces with waterfalls, shelves of Japanese liquor bottles, sumo wrestling playing on tv, how-to-speak-Japanese tape playing in the restroom
Service: excellent! We had a 12-person party and one person didn't receive her order until quite a while after we all had our food so the waitress took the roll off of our total bill!
Food/Price: Okay. I had the Sashimi Salad and the Choco-Chan for dessert. It's essentially a warm, fudge cake with a scoop of ice cream and a few slivers of strawberries. It was advertised as having green tea ice cream with mochi but I couldn't detect any mochi and the ice cream was more vanilla than green tea.Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/9/2012
Hello Furai, Thank you for joining us with your large lunch… More » -
Review from Megan N.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2012
Yummm!! I have been to the San Francisco Ozumo's a couple of times and have been meaning to go to the Oakland location for a long time. I was thoroughly impressed and will be back soon!
We ordered a number of different items and everything was amazing! Our server recommended the Black Cod entree and Ozumo Roll which blew us away!
We met the new General Manager since he brought some of the food to our table. He and the rest of the staff were extremely friendly.
I can't wait to go back!Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/23/2012
Hi Megan, We truly appreciate you joining us in Oakland… More » -
Review from Christal T.
San Francisco, CA
4/13/2012
It's funny where this place is located. I don't go to Oakland too often, but the neighborhood seemed so dark and creepy, and it was weird to see a pretty high end restaurant in the area. Butttt I guess it's not totally HP/hood rat status :X
So short version: expensive, tasteless Japanese food. It's all show and no taste.
Long story: a friend and I decided to play hooky, and had a "business meeting" here on a Friday afternoon. It looked empty in the first section which was the bar/lounge area, but was pretty happening in the main seating area in the back. The two of us were debating on whether or not to get the business lunch which is the 3 course prix fixe meal that had a starter, 3 main dish to choose from, and dessert. We weren't really that hungry though and was on a time crunch so we opted for smaller (silly mistake).
Instead, I got the Jalapeno Hamachi roll which had spicy hamachi, avocado and cucumber, topped with chives, jalapeno and yuzu aiol (lol verbatum from their website) while my friend got the Ahi Katsu Bento box which had the panko crusted ahi tuna with shiso aioli and omusubi/onigiri (rice shaped into a cute triangular design lol). My sushi roll SOUNDED amazing, but came out really small and underwhelming. It also wasn't as flavorful as I thought it was going to be. His bento box was just aight too... The ahi tuna tasted more like chicken katsu, and the portions were dastardly small. We should have opted for the prix fixe lunch instead!
The service was cool. Our waitress was really funny and teased us about not ordering drinks, claiming that we secretly did want too haha The table next to us ordered some really delicious looking drinks so maybe next time, I'll get a pretty fruity drink too.
Overall, this wouldn't be the place to get Japanese food. There were a lot of non-Asians there so forsure the restaurant is just for the hype and not for the food. Plus, it cost a pretty penny. Sounds like Happy Hour gets pretty poppin though so I'll check that out the next time I play hooky for work :P -
Review from Regina B.
San Pablo, CA
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Happy hour was great... Until we realized the prices weren't so happy. Several appetizers and 2 drinks each for me and my friend cost us a whopping $87! We DID get a lot of food though. Ambience was really nice- dim and lounge-y. DJ played cool music.
*Edamame ($4) had a nice soy twist to it.
*Calamari tempura ($7) was not too impressive. Just your ordinary calamari.
*Sashimi on flatbread ($9) was not bad. Very simple.
*Kobe burger ($14) was DE-LISH! I could taste the sesame oil that it was cooked in. Fries added a salty touch to the dish.
*Pork belly kushi ($6 for 2 skewers) was sooo good!
We also had the makimono platter with the california roll, spicy tuna roll and negi hama roll. Nothing too impressive about the rolls. They were a lil on the smaller side.
My Sparkling lychee cocktail ($8), which was pretty much a mimosa, was pretty strong. The Giddy Geisha did make my friend giddy with a lil bit of tipsy, too!
Service was pretty good. At around 5pm on a Thursday night, the lounge was pretty full but not overly crowded.
Overall, it was cool to try Ozumo for the first time, but I probably wouldn't make it my happy hour spot. I'd probably go back for a special occasion.Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/2/2012
Hi Regina, Thank you for joining us, and i am glad you… More » -
Review from Ian S.
4/30/2012
What a gem! It's rare that I wander the streets of Oakland for a lunch spot, but this place is beautiful inside, the service was excellent, and the sushi was good as well. My dining companion was vegan so his choices might have been limited, however he was very happy with his options, and my sushi was excellent.
Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 5/10/2012
Thank you Ian! We are pleased to hear that we satisfied on… More » -
Review from Amy H.
Oakland, CA
3/21/2012
Happy Hour (NOT Really):
My bf & I thought we come here for V-day. First time at this location. Heard this place gets packed so we decided to go for happy hour instead of dinner. It was empty. Interior looks great! 4-star for the interior.
We ordered a few happy hour plates and two drinks. Yes, it was nicely presented on the plates. The edamme was pretty good. The pork ribs were delicious. There was another plate we liked (tuna flatbread?) which the waitress recommended. The pork belly was good. 2 other dishes we ordered were blah blah bland which we didn't like. Don't recall what it was. The lychee champagne drink was awesome. 3-star for the taste.
The one thing we did not like out of the whole happy hour experience...DRUNK FLIES at our table. YUCK! These are the small flies that lazily flies around the table & would not leave when you wave your hands around like CRAZY. You can tell the flies are DRUNK!! It's gross when flies lands on your food & drink. Maybe it's because we sat near the entrance door. Normally, high end restaurants do not have flies in their restaurants but this one does. 0-star for the unwelcomed flies.
The bill came and we knew it was going to be expensive due to the prices on the menu. So expensive for happy hour. We were hungry so had to order a few plates. It was around $85 with tip & taxes. Might as well get dinner instead of happy hour!!
Would we come back again?? Umm, probably not. Oakland Ozumo is a lot bigger than SF Ozumo. However, SF Ozumo vibe & experience is a lot better than Oakland :o/Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 3/26/2012
Hi Amy, I am happy to hear that you found some items on our… More » -
Review from Cecilia S.
San Francisco, CA
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
First time out in Oakland... hm interesting crowd....I'm not used to the East Bay at all...
However, despite the location and crowd, I somehow found myself having a pretty good time.
This place is unlike any of the other bars/restaurants around. It's actually pretty classy and trendy. It was a typical Friday night, and every bar (divey and snazzy) had a line out the yingyang. Fortunately, we strolled into Ozumo and somehow managed to snatch 4 seats right up at the bar. Our bartender was really friendly, so we just ordered our drinks and enjoyed each other company.
The back of the place is a Japanese restaurant, but the front has a full service bar island with seating all around. The decor is very chic and elegant, the service was great, and the drinks were strong. There was a DJ blasting house, but hmm.. it might not be for the right crowd... Just my opinion.
I think I kind of fancy their menu.. very extensive with lots of delicious options. I know they have a sister restaurant in San Francisco, so maybe I'll check that out next time.
Oh yeah, one more random fact: The bathrooms have this recording that plays random phrases in Japanese followed by a translation of what was just said. Interesting.. you can learn Japanese while you're on the toilet! It kind of freaked me out when I first heard it because I thought someone was talking to me HA!
I definitely like this place, but I don't know if I'll be itching to come back... it's all the way in the East Bay! :PListed in: East Bay.. Heyyy!
-
Review from J B.
Oakland, CA
4/13/2012
UNI will never be the same. Fresh, a burst of oceanic flavor!
And they've got nice booze, errr drinks which never hurts. Save some money and go for Happy Hour. They have a robata grill, and of course nibbles at the bar... which is decorated quite nicely. On par with it's San Francisco twin.
If they have the lobster roll sushi special, get it. Don't ask questions, just do it. Maybe even request it. It featured mango and jalapeno, too. One of the best flavor/texture combinations I've ever had.
I will say, the first time I had the Colorado Lamb it WAS the best I've ever had. But recently the cut and cooking was somewhat uneven/cold. But I still ate it all!
Very high quality ingredients overall and in the Japanese tradition are treated as pieces of art.
Definitely a top pick in Uptown. If I could, I'd give it 4.5 stars as one of my favorite restaurants. -
Review from Patrick K.
Daly City, CA
4/2/2012
Not the biggest fan of sushi in the world, but this place does it for me. Spicy Tuna rolls with some wassabi and some peanut sauce... Awwwww.... yeahhh (In a Barry White voice)
Good Saki, Good Service, and only a few block stumble from mi casa. Uno mas...Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/5/2012
Hi Patrick, It is exciting to hear that our sushi has… More » -
Review from Wendy C.
Piedmont, CA
4/17/2012
I used to LOVEEE this place until I got Scrombroid Food Poisoning.
Scrombroid is a food poisoning you get from such fish like Tuna & Mackerel when they are not properly handled. It is often called histamine poisoning. I probably received food poisoning at Ozumo because of poor temperature control on the food. I researched about this type of food poisoning and learned that when the fish is placed out for extended periods of time and un-refrigerated, that is when the fish proliferates with histamines causing an allergic like reaction for the individual that digests the fish. For me personally, I started getting hot, had migraines, and I felt as if I was breathing hard. When I got home and looked at myself in a brighter light (it's dim in Ozumo) I was absolutely red all over (histamines cause blood to rush to the area causing the RED look). I had no idea what had happened at that point until a friend that works at a health insurance insisted I get my money back because food poisoning should not be happening at restaurants.
I called Ozumo. I was accused of being mistakened, I was blamed for having allergies and that it was not their fault. I was ignored on the phone as the person (Supervisor) was talking to other people as I was trying to explain what had happened, lets not forget she had also asked me to repeat myself afterwards. She kept saying, "I can't hear you", when I had also called my boyfriend after, furious, and asking him if he could hear me..... he heard me perfectly fine. I dealt with both the manager and some supervisor. It took weeks for them to give me my money back. The only reason I received my money back was because I decided to find out if there was an executive of the company I could speak to. I contacted them and they handled the issue swiftly. In general, I have never had such a terrible experience dealing with management at any establishment. I understand they have to defend themselves, but I don't care how careful you think the transportation of your fish/food occurs and how heavy the inspections are. The truth is, I got food poisoning from their establishment (within minutes) I began feeling symptoms (this is a food poisoning that can occur within minutes).
Although Ozumo looks snazzy on the outside, friendly on the inside, be careful because another poor food handling may have you sick in the hospital. Scrombroid can be a serious health issue.
Hope this helps you all. -
Review from Ron H.
Danville, CA
4/7/2012
...the atmosphere is off the chart. Hip, cool, urban, and stylish are words used to describe this sushi bar....yeah bar, it starts the minute you walk in...an urban mix that feels so good....the vibe continues through the bar as you walk up to the restaurant...the sushi is good enough ( I love sushi, and have had better, but this is not bad), and the place make it worth while.
Bottom-line - I'm coming back, and you should check it out too! ...this is a nice little spot...I thought this's was exclusive to Manhattan or Atlanta, but we got it right here....Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/9/2012
Hi Ron, Thank you for your recommendation for a visit! I am… More » -
Review from Susan O.
Dublin, CA
3/26/2012
Broadway & Grand may be one of my favorite intersections in the United States. With spots like Luka's, Pican, Vo's and Era, you just can't go wrong. My new favorite boo however is Ozumo. El Hubs and I decided a relaxing evening in Oakland was in order and while I've had cocktails and light fare at Ozumo, it was decided that we'd try it for dinner. Standing O to me for suggesting it.
We started off with the Hanabi, Futago and Miso soup. The Hanabi was delicious and had I known, would not have been shared. Damn El Hubs! The Futago was a touch bland and could have used a spice kick, but the Hanabi all but made up for it. For my entree I had the Baked Hotate (scallops) which our lovely server recommended. El Hubs went El Boring and had the Spicy Tuna rolls. Back to my entree - when our server came back to check on us, I literally applauded her. Like literally applauded, she blushed and then asked me to stop, people were staring. Evidently she suggests the item frequently, but customers usually defer to a safer item.
As we are grown-ass adults, we don't pass up on the cocktails. We both had a Dark & Stormy which was delicious, thanks to the bartender for hooking us up. I had two sips and was immediately intoxicated, El Hubs had no problem finishing mine.
The decor of Ozumo is warm and inviting and it was lovely to see so many customers on a weeknight. Do yourself a favor and make it a point to stop by Ozumo, you'll thank me later....you're welcome. -
Review from HedonismBot S.
Oakland, CA
4/11/2012
Ozumo has the sleek, hip ambiance, the stylized "sumo" theme, and the reputation. It's a pity the quality of their food doesn't stand up to these other, less essential factors. This place is very popular for businessmen to take their clients out to lunch, but it is consistently medicore. Bento box portions are tiny and often times very bland. Sushi is just okay and not very fresh tasting. Worst of all, Ozumo is outrageously expensive for such average fare.
Bottom line: If you are looking to impress some clueless client in a business suit, take them here; they're sure to be wowed by the atmosphere. But if you're looking for good sushi or decent Japanese food, go elsewhere. If your company isn't footing the bill, it is definitely not worth it. -
Review from Nick S.
San Leandro, CA
3/14/2012
To be semi-fair, I'll rate Ozumo as if I was a Judge at an Iron Chef competition.
Presentation: 10/10
Everything we ordered was very nicely plated. From the combination of 3 (tiny) sushi rolls, to the drink glasses. The flat bread appetizer on a nice black plate, separated perfectly. The amazing fondue pot, down to the wooden sticks for the dark chocolate fondue dessert (a must try if you go)
Taste: 12/20
As the experience begins at first glance, they are winning, but then your eyes realize that your mouth is truly bigger. This food is seriously small. Portions and bites are not very filling. The bit of fish, and meat contained in our appetizers and sushi was great quality, but nearly impossible to taste due to the serving sizes being so small. The rolls were far more generous on rice then fish, and were extremely small to begin with. The flat-bread appetizer was a little disappointing.
Originality: 6/10
A 6 might be low here, but I was not too surprised by the variety here. Okay, they had dark chocolate Fondue, and a Kobe Beef Slider, but outside of those two items, and a few unique cocktails, it was a typical sushi restaurant, with small quantities and a higher price. The flat bread appetizer we ordered (cant remember if it was tuna or salmon on top), did sound great, but proved to be underwhelming, and you can be as original as you want, but if its not good, we wont remember it.
So excluding price and fulfillment and quality they are a 3 (maybe a 3.5) star restaurant.
They should be thankful I am excluding the above.
I do like the ambiance and enjoyed the drinks, but there are even sushi spots in San Leandro leaps and bounds better.
Some quick notes:
-My first experience was much better than my second here, but that was catering to a group, where it was $50+ per person. I am using my second experience as a benchmark for the typical dinner goer.
-If you want a table (not at the bar) you will want to make reservations a week in advance.
-Happy Hour 4-8pm (I think)
-Pretty good DJ on Saturday -
Review from Evie H.
San Jose, CA
4/9/2012
I've been here twice now, both for lunch with folks from work nearby. In fact, the reviewer below joined our crew this time! Each time we came, we had a party of 10+ so it's understandable that it took a while for them to serve all our food. The waitress did say that she would try to get everyone's food out at the same time but as Furai mentioned, the waitress took one item off the bill because it came a bit later (+).
I would have to say that I would probably only come here for work purposes because the food is a little bit on the pricy side and you can get much bigger portions for the prices that you pay, especially if you're in the Berkeley area. For example, I noticed that the guys finished eating the bento boxes in less than 10 minutes. I had the gyu-don this time and I found it quite flavorful, albeit a little bit too salty for my tastes because of too much sauce. The beef was cooked well and I loved the saute of onions and mushrooms that was mixed in.
Dessert was delicious! The fudge chocolate cake that came with the Choco-chan is something that I can eat again and again. I didn't taste the green tea or the mochi that was advertised in the menu either so I'm not sure what's up with that, but otherwise it was pretty yummy.
Next time I definitely have to try the spicy pork ramen because I've seen it ordered twice already and it looks really good! -
Review from Kathleen T.
San Francisco, CA
5/4/2012
I didn't ever expect to have to write a poor review for Ozumo. This restaurant is usually fabulous with great sushi and robata options (and a decent happy hour menu). I was disappointed in the service. We had a large party for my birthday celebration. Our server refused to split the check (understandable). When the check came she was upset at the number of credit cards she had to run. 2 of my friends and myself tried to apologized for having so many cards and for the inconvenience. The waitress told us we should bring cash next time. Maybe I just won't come back next time. ;(
Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 5/21/2012
HI Kathleen, Im sorry to hear that you were disappointed in… More » -
Review from Hilary A.
Oakland, CA
3/22/2012
This is the place to have a private celebration! For my 39th birthday (again), I wanted to do something special. I love sushi, but wanted a private space where I could gather my friends. Initially I asked for their smallest room (Buddha Room), which fits 8, but as I started the invitation process, I realized I'd need something larger. Amanda (event coordinator) recommended the Kotatsu Room (fits 20). She worked with me on budgeting for the night. Yo, Master Chef at Ozumo, met with me as well and very graciously comped the miso for the guests.
My birthday celebration could not have been better! Awesome food, fun drinks (try the Saketini), amazing room, and a lovely job of negotiating the flow of food.
I'm looking forward to going back on a random night for their amazing happy hour bites menu and another Saketini! -
Review from Leily P.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've never frequented Ozumo for anything except HH, so I was looking forward to trying it out for dinner finally. The 1 star is not for service as the wait staff was attentive and apologetic. The rating is for the food.
For 2 we ordered:
- HANABI
- KAISEN SUNOMONO
- a special Japanese squid that was seasonal
- BURIKAMA
- a lamb dish
We ordered the HANABI and KAISEN SUNOMONO for appetizers - the amount of food in each dish couldn't even make a small baby full so I decided to add the seasonal squid appetizer. I've never had good squid, and this was prepared really well. I was okay w/ the food until my dish arrived (burikama) - the hamachi collar was presented very well, but all 3 pieces were undercooked. The insides were raw. I ate about half of this dish before I realized something wasn't right. When we asked our waitress if this was normal, she immediately recognized that it was undercooked, took it away and asked if we wanted another. At first I agreed but then after being unable to ignore the sensation of wanting to throw up, we asked for the dish to be cancelled. The manager came by to apologize and let us know that it will not be on the bill.
Overall the food was overpriced and underwhelming. Although the restaurant itself is beautiful and the wait staff were all courteous, the food ruined the whole experience. The restaurant needs to reconsider their portions and ensure that their food is cooked properly!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/14/2011
HH ends at 8pm on weekdays, which is a huge plus since most places end by 6pm. Decor is gorgeous,… Read more »
Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 3/15/2011
Hi Leily, The 8pm happy hour ending is a great bonus! Also,… More » -
-
Review from SHOU LIN C.
Milpitas, CA
3/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pork belly appetizer is amazing and well worth it during Happy Hour.
Decent service and good place to hang out with drinks and food. -
Review from Captain S.
Oakland, CA
3/12/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Ozumo Oakland is even better than the SF location. I had dinner here a few weeks ago...after a last minute exploratory walk...away from Luka's (packed again).
I was pleasantly surprised. All the terrific fare that SF is known for, but with a style and ambiance that is much more metro and cool.
I ate at the bar, and the service was excellent. I'm only holding a star in reserve because I ate there late and it felt a bit more night club that sushi place at that hour...but I suppose that's perfectly acceptable.Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 3/16/2012
Hello Captain! It is great to hear that you were pleasantly… More » -
Review from Dor H.
Alameda, CA
Hello happy hour!
I see why they call you "happy". My friend and I ordered a couple drinks and an appetizer because we're too broke [for now] to actually order a full meal here. The drinks were actually very good. I've been back and forth to their website, hyping myself up for them and was not let down.
Possibly the biggest surprise was the "Spicy Miso Calamari". Let's just say, I went out with my family tonight and also ordered calamari, it did not live up to Ozumo.
I wish I had more to say, but the great food/drinks and the breathtaking views of the private rooms will definitely have me coming back for more. -
Review from Cyotee C.
Oakland, CA
2/20/2012
Lunches are good quality a lot more expensive than when opened. Bento box lunch now $15
Slow - 15 mins to get water and tea and waiter to tell us he'll be with us shortly.
Tea cup empty - replaced on 3rd request.
Needed to ask for soy and wasabi.
Spend $$$ on decor. It's expensive for quality and portion.
The waiter polite. Just didn't take care of us. -
Review from David G.
Carmel, CA
4/2/2012
A very stylish space with excellent food, good service, and a friendly staff. Prices are fair for the quality of the restaurant. We will return!
Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 4/5/2012
Hi David, Thank you for your kind words and for providing… More » -
Review from harold b.
Walnut Creek, CA
4/25/2012
hi,
would have been nice to see an apology for wendy's food poisoning. It's easy to comment on good reviews, but it takes great humility to admit a mistake. No one addressed the issue, hope you folks learned something. ThanksComment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 5/10/2012
Hi Harold, I sent Wendy a personal message. Food poisoning… More » -
Review from Jona C.
Oakland, CA
3/17/2012
Man I thought this was a pretty upscale place with fancy peeps and when I was in the bathroom, two well-dressed guys finished and walked straight out the door. No hand washing? Now you know why I don''t ever eat from the courtesy bowls of snacks at any bars. This place is fairly expensive. I guess I shouldn't come if I can't really afford to eat here but we had a $50 gift card. We tried to eat within a reasonable budget and it came out to an additional $68 including tip.
Their house sake is nice and smooth, their menu isn't too appealing or maybe I wasn't really feeling it. The uni risotto was good, their sashimi or nigiri is sliced pretty thin, uni was okay, and the toro (tuna belly) at $10 a piece I wish there was 2-3mm of more thickness I could enjoy.
It's a very large restaurant space which means it gets loud in here and the ambience is very nice. Reservations is definitely the best way to go on Fri-Sat evening. Not sure about the rest of the week. 2nd time here and it's just been okay both times.Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 3/26/2012
Hi Jona, Thank you for joining us for a second try, and for… More » -
Review from Y. Abigail H.
East Bay, CA
2/20/2012
Ozumo...
I came here once, we had a surprise birthday for my sister! It was a large group, and half of the party were late. The wait staff was accommodating. But to be quite honest, I don't think the place is anything special. It's just overpriced, and they give you very tiny portions. And they don't even have a lot of sushi rolls. I had to request that they specially make me a lion king roll.
That's really all, the place is nothing special. Just overpriced, and not really that memorable. I won't mind coming back though, because of the nice ambience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return.
Hope that helped.... -
Review from Sam T.
1/20/2012
Came here for happy hour several times and ate here once. I have to say I was expecting something completely different from this place. I guess I can understand why people crowd in here...because this area is in high demand of fine dining and hang out spots and Ozumo fits the bill.
Food:
Let's be frank the food really sucked. If you're a fan of sushi and know your sushi stuff...this is not the place for you. The drinks were pretty good and I remember a few of the appetizers being decent. I don't even remember which ones...that's how bad their main courses were.
Service:
Inconsistent service. Sometimes it's okay. Other times I feel like we're being ignored on purpose. It gets pretty busy here. I think the staff gets flustered on a Friday night.
Environment:
Very nice decor. Feels really classy in here. In other words this place feels like you're sitting in a very expensive sushi joint hence the price you pay is warranted (Kinda...)
Price:
Very overpriced for their quality of sushi!
If you're hanging around this area I would recommend Ozumo for a few drinks and maybe an appetizer. If you're looking for a full on meal try Lukas or Pican.
Food: 1
Service: 2
Environment: 4
Price: 1Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 2/6/2012
Hi Sam, Thank you for joining us, and I am really sorry to… More » -
Review from Diana M.
Berkeley, CA
5/14/2012
We had absolutely delicious nigiri, sashimi and rolls here. The sake was also wonderful, and I recommend trying a sake flight. We will definitely come back for the amazing food. The ambience was trendy and a little more casual than the Ozumo in San Francisco. We dressed for the occasion (my husband's birthday) but we felt like we could've dressed down a bit.
Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 5/21/2012
Hi Diana, Thank you so much for your comments and nice… More » -
Review from meshell c.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 2/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
So I have returned more than once, but the experience has always been a hit or miss. On Thursday (2/2/12), my girls and I went for Happy Hour and to our surprise Robin Thicke was performing! It was a nice treat, but it did not make up for the RUDE bartender who wore the pocket square. Yes, you, Point Dexter looking, pocket-square wearing bartender!
I sat down asking for a menu and he gave me a look and said "Which menu?" That already rubbed me the wrong way. Then as we got to talk to him, he's a bit quirky and got a weird sense of humor...so I thought, maybe he's just a little weird. BUT NO, as I was ready to check out, he didn't bother asking to see what was suppose to be charged on my card, but he just rolled it all in one and then, oh AND THEN, just tossed the bill to me. I swear, the audacity....it was beyond his weirdness, it was just plain rude! I dislike you POCKET SQUARE wearing bartender! You are a dick.
Food: meh.
Drinks: They have a decent happy hour selection.
Atmosphere: It's what actually gets me back (to see my friends and have drinks)
Service: Read above
Bottom line: Take your chances.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/9/2010
Went there for Happy Hour. Was happy to get a seat at the bar, but was NOT happy when we did not… Read more »
Comment from Amanda P. of Ozumo 2/24/2012
Hi Meshell, We truly appreciate your feedback. First of… More » -
-
Review from K K.
Washington, DC
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great environment. Lots of fun people, young professionals, great place for drinks after work. Food good, perhaps a little over-priced, but if you're paying for the environment, worth it.
