Name Reflects Coastal Identity Sushi Ii, the six-time MICHELIN Guide-recognized omakase restaurant in Newport Beach's Mariner's Mile, has officially rebranded as Sushi Suhama. The new name draws from an ancient Japanese term referring to a picturesque shoreline, connecting the restaurant's Japanese culinary roots to Newport Beach's coastal setting. Renowned Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto was commissioned to shape the evolution and selected the name Sushi Suhama. One of Sugimoto's celebrated seascapes will be displayed within the restaurant, further linking the new identity to the intersection of sea, landscape, and Japanese artistry. "Suhama felt meaningful because it gives the restaurant a sense of place," said Director Natsuko Travioli. "This is still the restaurant our guests know, but the new name gives us an opportunity to express more clearly who we are today and where we are going, while remaining true to what has always defined the experience."
Three Omakase Tiers Along with the rebrand, Sushi Suhama has restructured its omakase program into three distinct courses. The Sai Kaiseki Course offers the most expansive progression through traditional Japanese multi-course dining. The Ran Signature Course balances composed seasonal dishes with an emphasis on sushi. The Mio Sushi Course centers on nigiri, offering the most sushi-forward experience. Menus continue to evolve with the seasons and ingredient availability across all three options.
Culinary Leadership Intact The evolution occurs under continued leadership from Chefs Norio Izawa and Koji Takahashi, alongside Director Travioli. Izawa heads the kaiseki program, drawing on training in Tokyo and Kanazawa kaiseki kitchens and prior experience at Nobu in New York and Bluefin in Newport Beach. Takahashi, who has been with the restaurant since opening, brings nearly four decades of sushi expertise. Chef Tatsushi Wakabayashi, who joined approximately one year ago with experience from Nobu, Ikko, and Oshima, works alongside him. The culinary philosophy emphasizes preserving the discipline and precision of traditional Japanese cooking while allowing the experience to evolve with modern sensibility.
Hospitality Focus Unchanged The restaurant's commitment to detail extends beyond the menu—from ceramics selection to the intimate counter experience and considered service pace. The rebrand marks a natural evolution rather than a fundamental redirection, building on the foundation that has earned six MICHELIN Guide recognitions. Sushi Suhama is located at 100 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach, California.
Why It Matters
For high-end omakase operators, this rebrand demonstrates how established restaurants can refresh their market positioning while maintaining culinary credibility. The three-tier omakase structure offers a template for accommodating different guest preferences—from comprehensive kaiseki experiences to sushi-focused meals—within a single intimate venue, potentially expanding the addressable market without diluting the brand's MICHELIN-recognized standards.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
