Zooming In On Zuma

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Downtown’s West Broadway corridor is abuzz with the recent arrival of Zuma, a global high-end Japanese restaurant chain that started in London nearly 25 years ago.
The opening in San Diego marks the brand’s first entry into the California market. (Sorry L.A. and San Francisco.) It is situated in the historic and recently renovated Guild Hotel, formerly the Armed Services YMCA at 500 W. Broadway. Patrons can access the restaurant’s luxurious confines either through the hotel’s main entrance or from a Columbia Street “tunnel” constructed with teak beams. (It’s at ground level with cool engineering.)
Zuma specializes in izakaya-style dining for char-grilled meats and creative sushi rolls. The wagyu beef roll with daikon radish and black truffle is particularly commendable and a novel departure from seafood.
The restaurant features a main dining room, bar, and terrace, which in total seats more than 500 people. Reservations are recommended.