German Osio, one of the Valley’s fastest-moving young restaurateurs, is announcing his third project in as many years – Sumo Maya Mexican-Asian Kitchen – slated to open in November. The 5,200 square-foot restaurant will serve as the focal point of the new mixed-used development Marketplace at Lincoln & Scottsdale, which will also include 288 condominiums, a high-end yoga studio, juice bar and additional retail space.
Bringing Osio’s Sumo Maya vision to life is locally based Phoenix Architecture and Jeff Low Design, who will be creating a minimalistic, super-modern space that Jeff Low says, “reflects the duality of both Mexican and Asian cultures where aged, well-worn textures blend with 21st century design.” Walk past the feng shui-inspired Koi pond entrance and guests will be met with 30-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a museum-white interior with hand-carved pewter wood floors and distressed concrete walls with exposed rebar.
Guests will immediately be drawn to the restaurant’s two primary focal points: an open kitchen design that will offer “rail” seating to marvel at the culinary team deftly moving about in an expansive, residential-style kitchen (professionally lit to blend with the dining room and featuring marble-topped workspaces, a frosted glass hood system and an Argentinean-style wood-fired grill), and a center-of-the-room 24-foot-tall hand-carved tree crafted by world-renowned artisans Naturemaker.
Move along to the authentically loud and high-energy 34-person indoor/outdoor bar for one of 120 tequilas personally selected by Sumo Maya’s tequila sommelier, or enjoy one of 35 bottles of sake and craft cocktails while lounging on the wood-adorned 78-seat patio and soaking in the natural wonder of a moss-and-vine-covered “living wall.” Those looking for a bit of entertainment will delight in the 148” glass projection screens that will be showing everything from sports to vintage flicks. As the evening progresses, Sumo Maya will shift from casually modern restaurant and bar to nighttime lounge with enhanced audio pleasures (including a DJ and state-of-the-art sound system) and lighting perfect to keep the night going late.
Sumo Maya’s Mexican-Asian fusion menu is still in development, but it will be built around tapas-style small plates, all under $20, with some offered as dim sum. 30% of the menu will be modern Mexican, 30% modern Asian, and 40% Mexican-Asian fusion.
Osio, who hails from Mexico City and has a penchant for Asian travel, sees the fusion as a natural fit. “I have always had a love and passion for both cuisines, which are both extremely social in style and similar in anatomy,” says Osio, who is in the process of firming up his kitchen team. With authentic dishes such as sushi, ceviche, tacos and noodles, the fusion dishes will include items like Pad Thai with Al Pastor, Grilled Pineapple and Pickled Jalapeno, Peking Duck Tacos, and Poblano Fried Rice.
When the restaurant opens in November, look for lunch and dinner service, private dining options including a 14-person chefs table, and complimentary parking.
