Atlas Restaurant Group, under the leadership of President and CEO Alex Smith, is preparing to introduce Azumi Houston to the River Oaks District. Following the success of its flagship location at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, Azumi Houston will find its home at 4444 Westheimer Road, strategically positioned at the southern gateway to Houston’s chic dining and shopping destination, adjacent to the bustling sister restaurant, Loch Bar.
“We’re excited to bring the culinary artistry of Azumi to Houston’s vibrant dining epicenter, River Oaks District, and look forward to creating lasting memories for guests,” said Smith. “At Azumi, our focus will be the presentation of a sophisticated and immersive Japanese dining experience that finds harmony and balance in both the traditional and innovative.”
Alisher Yallaev, acclaimed executive concept chef of Atlas Restaurant Group, will relocate from the East Coast to Houston to oversee menu development and operations for Azumi. Yallaev’s expertise will lead guests on a tantalizing journey through Azumi’s premium culinary offerings, ranging from sensational sushi rolls and delectable rock shrimp to succulent A5 Wagyu beef and flash-fried Sawagani, a soft-shell freshwater crab. The restaurant will showcase the modern and classic while prioritizing the use of the freshest ingredients, including daily shipments of seafood from Tokyo’s renowned fish markets.
“Compared to Azumi’s original location in Baltimore, Azumi Houston’s food menu will be much more extensive and appeal to the experienced palate’s of Houston diners,” Smith told What Now Houston.
The creativity that defines Azumi extends to its beverage program, which will feature signature cocktails incorporating exotic flavors and ingredients, as well as an extensive selection of Japanese whiskies and sake.
The name Azumi, meaning “safe harbor,” aptly captures the essence of a venue that embodies style, comfort, and warmth. For the restaurant’s design, Alex Smith enlisted the expertise of Patrick Sutton to reimagine the former Ouzo Bay space. Sutton’s vision will infuse the restaurant with an elegance and tranquility that pays homage to Japanese aesthetics. The interior space will accommodate 130 guests across a chic main dining room, a sushi bar, and an omakase tasting room. A highlight of the design is the dramatic indoor/outdoor main bar, seamlessly connecting the interior to an inviting terrace that can seat an additional 78 diners.
Azumi Houston’s future guests can expect an opening in Winter 2023.
