One of the Valley’s Best Sushi Spots Comes Ashore in Santa Monica

Popular Valley Japanese restaurant Brothers Sushi is expanding to Santa Monica soon, with plans to take over the closed Maria’s Italian Kitchen Kitchen space at 1008 Montana Avenue. The news was first reported by local Westside blog Toddrickallen.

Reps for Brothers Sushi confirmed the move, telling Eater that Brothers would keep much of its current menu and feel, from the omakase menu by chef Mark Okuda to the wide array of a la carte options. That should come as no surprise, considering the Woodland Hills-based restaurant has already racked up countless accolades for its fresh fish and bento boxes over the past couple of years, even as the pandemic brought indoor and on-site dining to a halt for more than 15 months.

While there’s no current timetable for the opening of Brothers Sushi in Santa Monica, paperwork is up now for its beer and wine license. Meanwhile, sushi became a surprise takeaway hit for many during the pandemic, as everyone from the massive SBE hospitality group to a small collection of Arts District musicians got in on the takeout and delivery action. More recently, chef Masa Shimakawa has popped up not far away with his own restaurant inside the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica, while over in Atwater Village sushi legend Morihiro Onodera received a glowing review from the Los Angeles Times.

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