New Omakase pop-up in the East Village from the acclaimed sushi chef

Chef Ambrely Ouimette believes San Diego cuisine is about to get bigger, bigger than ever before. “San Diego is about to become a culinary adventure,” she says. “I see so many cool people doing so many interesting and unique things… It’s an exciting time.”

She is willing to move it forward. Oimette has previously worked in San Diego, including Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy, Saiko Sushi in Coronado and Cannonball in Mission Beach. She’s a classically trained chef who has been honing her sushi skills for nearly two decades, working behind the sushi bar at Matsuhisa Denver (yes, That chef Nobu Matsuhisa) and Sushi | Bar in Austin, Chicago, Dallas and Miami. By her estimate, she had waiting lists of as many as 20,000 people. And she’s back in town.

Omakase by Ambrely is her new pop-up series at Hive Sushi Lounge in the East Village, formerly called Calypso Omakase. Every month there are eight evenings, 16 courses and 10 seats available per evening. At $195 per person, there are no substitutions or requests: just trust and surprise.

“I wouldn’t say the order is super traditional, but it is somewhat traditional,” she explains. There’s nigiri, there’s sashimi. I do crudo, which is kind of an Italian-style steamed egg chawanmushi, that kind of thing. I think it is a very nice menu.”

Oimette says the ever-changing menu will focus on seasonal ingredients and local produce, but will be primarily rooted in what she’s excited about at the time (and can get her hands on). Fermentation will also play an important role, with her homemade misos, soy sauces, vinegars and other accessories helping shape the experience.

She laughs as she tries to describe her vision, recalling a male chef who said women shouldn’t be in professional kitchens because they are too emotional.

“Eating without emotion is the worst thing you can do!” she exclaims, adding that she wants to keep the experience intimate so guests can still feel that connection. “My dream has always been to have some kind of neighborhood place – I still have omakase, but honestly? Like The Friendly, but as a sushi bar.”

Omakase is just beginning to catch on in San Diego, and Ouimette believes now is the perfect time to launch her own vision for it and work with Hive and other interested collaborators to establish local roots. “All these omakases are so new… I’m different enough than everyone else and I can stand next to them as far as the traditional aspect and the training behind it, but I’m really showing my personality and creating that experience.” She adds that she wants to open her brick-and-mortar store eventually, but plans to focus on pop-ups, catering and private events.

Oimette will publish the following month’s schedule on Tock on the first of each previous month, so that July reservations will open on June 1. There are still a few spots left for June, but she says it’s going fast.

“I’m just excited to see where this adventure goes,” she says. “I love taking people out of their comfort zones, so I hope everyone comes to see it.”

San Diego Restaurant News and Dining Events

Olivewood Gardens is hosting the Seedling Soiree on June 1

National City-based nonprofit Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center is one of a handful of local advocacy groups committed to teaching future generations to cherish and protect our shared world. On Saturday, June 1, they will host their annual Seedling Soirée fundraiser to continue their mission. There will be guest chefs including Phillip Esteban (White Rice), Logan Mitchell (The Cellar Door), David Sims (Kingfisher), Joe Bower (Finca) and many more. Tickets for the event are available here and donations to their charity are always accepted.

Liberty Public Market is launching their summer cocktail series

Each month from May 24 through September 2, the Mess Hall Bar at the Liberty Public Market will offer a variety of three different rotating cocktail options, each created by different market vendors. From ‘You Had Me at Ube’ by White Rice (May 24 – June 30) to ‘French Like Emily’ by Baker & Olive (July 1 – July 31) and ‘Fight Like Mariko’ by The Sushi Stand (August 1 – September 2), there are spritzes, piña coladas, spicy margaritas and more.

Beth’s bites

Booze Brothers Brewing Company just closed the only brewery taproom in Fallbrook, but they promise a new location is coming to the same area sometime this summer. Boo for a sudden closure, but also hurray for new beginnings.

Graze by Sam The Cooking Guy is out; Basta! is inside. The Little Italy Food Hall outpost is being rebranded and will reopen this summer as an Italian-inspired eatery on the East Coast, with the celebrity chef still at the helm.

Yelp recently dropped its list of the 100 Best Restaurants in the United States for 2024. The list includes four eateries in the San Diego area: Sunny Side Kitchen in Escondido (#3), Crafted Greens in El Cajon (#16), Rosemarie’s Burgers in Mission Beach (#40) and Peace Pies in Encinitas and Ocean Beach (#53).

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