Ozumo Concepts International, LLC, the operator of contemporary Japanese staple Ozumo and Santa Monica’s Sonoma Wine Garden and 41 Ocean, introduced Sean Sette as Senior Vice President, leading an exemplary team of visionary hospitality experts in both Northern California and Southern California. Ozumo Concepts International has built once of the most iconic and successful Japanese cuisine brands, celebrating 15 years of its flagship San Francisco restaurant Ozumo.
The founder of the Ozumo concept, Jeremy Umland, introduced the first large-scale, high-end Japanese dining experience offering sushi, robata grill, and premium imported sake under one beautifully designed, award-winning roof to San Francisco in 2001. Since that time, OCI opened Ozumo Oakland in December 2008 and Sonoma Wine Garden, Santa Monica’s refreshing outdoor oasis in August 2010 and most recently renovated the beachside 41 Ocean, a members concept paired with a local dining hideaway.
Sette’s multi-faceted approach to luxury hospitality has played a vital role in the new stage of creation and development in each of OCI’s properties, where Sette is looking to build upon the current locations successes, but also create incredibly dynamic environments that speak individually to the surrounding locations audiences. Sette is a visionary in building upon OCI’s continued success and building new expansion plans to disrupt the current marketplace. As an independent restaurant group, OCI has hit a milestone for its Ozumo San Francisco property celebrating 15 years as one of the leading and forward-thinking Japanese restaurants and celebrating five years of Sonoma Wine Garden’s success as the only stand-alone venue to have sustained the changing food landscape in Santa Monica Place. This next stage of OCI will exist as a result of Sette’s new team of industry-leading professionals who expand upon OCI’s vision to create imaginative and ambitious culinary concepts that have staying power and generate a loyal fan base.
In addition to Sette, the leadership team includes Bobby Burton, Director of Operations, who hails from a restaurateur background with a handful of his own personal restaurants including the former 10-year brand Porterhouse Bistro and the eLOVate Vegan Kitchen culinary concept currently in Santa Monica and Executive Chef Patrick Florendo, who has taken over the kitchens at Sonoma Wine Garden and 41 Ocean and previously served as Executive Chef of Rare By Drai’s. Adding to the dynamic in SoCal, 41 Ocean has welcomed General Manager Jeff Rowe, who previously held the Director of Operations for the Nightlife Group at sbe, and Sonoma Wine Garden welcomes KC Robinson, who comes from Bachi Burger and 9021Pho.
Jessica Furui, Director of Sake for Ozumo brands, has continued to build upon the evolving Sake program now offering one of the most extensive and exclusive in the country with over 40 premium Japanese sake available by the glass and over 100 by the bottle, and artfully pairing the diverse sake portfolio with Ozumo’s cuisine. Ozumo San Francisco has worked with General Manager Miho Kawaguchi since 2011. Kawaguchi skillfully brings an enthusiastic awareness for Japanese cuisine continuing to educate staff and guests on cultural trends. In addition, Ozumo Oakland welcomed Ace Chon as General Manager. Chon previously held the position of Assistant Food & Beverage Director at Moana Restaurant Group.
