AMA Sushi

The story

AMA Sushi – Edomae-Style Japanese in Santa Barbara (Montecito) – Michelin Recommended

Chef Scott Yonamine

California-born Chef Scott Yonamine leads AMA Sushi, bringing two decades of dedication to the art of Edomae-style sushi. After nine years living and working in fine dining in Japan, he returned to California in 2022. In 2013, he moved to Hakone, Kanagawa, where he worked alongside Master Chef Hiroyki Kanda – a recipient of the Michelin Guide’s Mentor Chef award – in the shadow of Mount Fuji. He later spent two years at the five-star AMAN Tokyo before returning to the United States to open AMA Sushi.

Edomae Tradition, Two Ways

In celebration of Japan’s Edomae tradition – sushi in its purest form – and inspired by the legacy of Japanese free divers, AMA Sushi showcases always-fresh ingredients alongside an extensive selection of wine, sake, and innovative cocktails.

The restaurant presents two distinct experiences. The first is an omakase tasting at the sushi bar, built around trust and spontaneity between the chefs and their diners. The second is an à la carte menu served in the main dining room or on the heated patio – a supported but self-guided journey through traditional Japanese flavors.

A Michelin-Recognized Setting

AMA Sushi has earned a Michelin Recommended distinction, reflecting the precision and respect for ingredients that define this Japanese restaurant in Montecito. Located within the Rosewood Miramar Beach resort, the space offers counter dining, air conditioning, outdoor seating, and valet parking. Whether you choose the intimate omakase counter or a relaxed à la carte evening, the focus remains on the purity of Edomae technique and the quality of each season’s catch.