Sozou has been announced as the first in a series of chef-driven concepts that will open at Spring Quarter, a mixed-use development transforming a city block in Midtown.
National developer Portman announced that Sozou, a culinary concept from Chef Fuyuhiko Ito, will open at the project in November 2024.
The modern Japanese restaurant will be located on the ground floor of 1020 Spring Street, Spring Quarter’s new Class-A office tower. The restaurant will feature a main kitchen, robata grill and sushi counter.
“At Sozou, we believe in creating more than just meals; we’re crafting experiences that resonate with your senses and leave an indelible mark on your memory,” Chef Ito said in a press release. “Sozou will be a place that blends authenticity and sophistication and will play an important role in making Spring Street Midtown’s newest dining destination. We look forward to inviting the people of Atlanta and beyond to join us on a culinary adventure like no other.”
Chef Fuyuhiko Ito is best known for having served as Executive Chef of Umi in Buckhead. Chef Lisa Ito will bring her desserts to Sozou. The team has enlisted designer Noriyoshi Muramatsu from Studio Glitt in Tokyo to infuse natural stones and earthy elements into the space. Ozan Bayar is Sozou’s managing director and founder.
“Sozou will create contemporary Japanese cuisine infused with authenticity and a sophisticated twist,” Bayar told What Now Atlanta. “Chef Ito will source fresh fish from Japan and around the world five times a week. Expect crudo, sashimi, and seasonal sushi, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.”
The menu will include caviar, truffles and many house-made sauces. A double-fermented soy sauce will come from a soy sauce brewery in Japan, Bayar said.
In addition to the main dining space, the team will also debut Omakase by Ito on the eighth-floor rooftop of 1020 Spring, where Chef Ito will create seasonal specialties for private guests.
With the exclusive roof access, 20-foot-high indoor ceilings, and valet parking, Sozou “will provide an unforgettable dining experience,” Bayar said.
Portman will complete Spring Quarter in Q3 2024.
“Chef Ito has been a culinary icon in Atlanta since he opened MF Sushi Buckhead and followed soon after with the opening of Umi,” said Dotan Zuckerman, Portman’s Head of Retail Development. “Over the last 20 years, I have had the pleasure of following his career and watching him become one of the most incredible sushi chefs in the country. We are proud to bring him back to Atlanta to open his very own flagship restaurant, and are honored he chose Portman and Spring Quarter for the debut of Sozou.”
Spring Quarter is anchored by the historic H.M. Patterson Home and Gardens. The mixed-use community also includes Sora, Spring Quarter’s 370-unit luxury residential tower.
“We are gearing up to announce the anchor tenant for The Patterson, and can’t wait to introduce another chef-driven concept from a renowned Atlanta restaurateur,” continued Zuckerman. “We are thoughtfully preserving the soul and character of the historic building while also transforming the space into an alluring, morning-to-night food and beverage destination.”
Portman also recently delivered Junction Krog District, a 135,000-square-foot, Class-A office building with ground-floor retail fronting the Atlanta BeltLine. Portman has announced Yuji, a new Japanese concept, and YEPPA&co as the first restaurants joining the project, set to open next summer.
