My brother recently bought two OpenTable coupons for Ozumo, $25 for a $50 gift certificate, so we decided to go for two separate occasions: for dinner and for happy hour. After giving both a try, I would say this: don’t go for the food, go for the ambiance. The food is not only overpriced but it’s not very good, so you are basically paying for the atmosphere.
Ozumo's In a Nutshell
Ozumo is seperated into a few areas, the bar, a private room and also seating near the yakitori and sushi bar. It’s definitely one of the swankiest places I’ve been around Oakland and it’s a nice place to meet up for happy hour.
Ozumo's Happy Hour Appetizers
From Top Left, going clockwise…
Pari Maguro | big eye tuna sashimi, jalapeno, caramelized onion on flatbread | $9 | I thought the flatbread was way too greasy and threw off the whole appetizer for me.
Ikakoromo | spicy-miso calamari tempura | $7 | Also too greasy for me, but edible.
Nigiri Sampler | tuna, salmon, hamachi and unagi | $11 | The fish was really fresh and probably the best appetizer I had.
Rainbow Dyno | chopped tuna, salmon, and hamachi roll fried, topped with spicy sauce and unagi sauce | $14 | Why did I order this? I didn’t read it and didn’t know it was fried. I guess the presentation was fun, but it’s a no go.
Their happy hour drinks range from $4 beers and sake to $6-9 cocktails. My favorite was the Lychee Press with Sobieski Vodka and lychee juice and sprite. Available daily from 4pm-8pm.
Moving on to the dinner…
- Dohyo| Tuna Tartare | $14
Jalapeno Hama Sushi | $11
Yo-San's Yosenabe | Japanese Seafood Hot Pot | $22
The meal for me progressed from good to average to bad. Since we were feeling pretty disappointed, we decided not to order any more food from the restaurant as it was not only pricey, but was unjustifiably so. Even with the discount, the meal felt way to expensive for what we were served so we left a bit disappointed with no desire to ever go for dinner again.
Instead, we went back home for an after dinner snack…
Homecooked potstickers to the rescue!
———————
Ozumo
2251 Broadway Ave
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 286-9866
