Sushi restaurant to open in Sarasota's Rosemary District

A nearly 7,500-square-foot restaurant is opening Friday in Sarasota’s Rosemary District in a storied space. Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill will welcome diners for its contemporary Japanese cuisine at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, following a yearlong renovation.

The building where Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is located dates to 1925 and was originally known as The Citrus Exchange, according to MSC Commercial, which represented both the tenant and landlord in the lease.

“Our longstanding relationship with the landlord, the Cornelius family, allowed us to guide multiple transitions at this property,” Senior Commercial Advisor and Broker Associate Lee DeLieto Jr. of The DeLieto Team at MSC Commercial says, noting multiple restaurant concepts had been housed there over the years. “They needed a tenant that would see the space for what it could be, not what it was. And we found that tenant, ultimately identifying Hanami as the right transformative concept.”

Since taking over the lease, Tsunami Restaurant Services LLC — operating Hanami under managing member Samuel Ray with partners Jeffrey Karasawa and Jason Klamson — has spearheaded an extensive renovation project that has lasted more than a year. (Tsunami had also run Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi, which closed in downtown Sarasota in 2025.)

Some of the major changes to the building in the Rosemary District included moving the front entrance, removing an apartment with a wall blocking some windows and changing the angle of the bar, sister publication YourObserver.com previously reported. Other renovations included removing drywall to showcase historic brick and other architectural details, altering floors and repainting the building exterior white.

“As the Rosemary District continues its dynamic growth, Hanami joins a vibrant mix of dining destinations, further establishing the area as one of Sarasota’s most sought-after places to dine and gather, to see and be seen,” DeLieto says in the statement. Neighboring businesses include Station 400, Food + Beer and Vin Cella Wine Cellar.

“Hanami” is the Japanese word for flower viewing, which traditionally involves picnicking under cherry blossom trees in spring. Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill says on its Facebook page that it will have cherry blossom branches hanging in the new restaurant. The menu is expected to include sushi, hibachi and other Japanese staples in addition to craft cocktails.

Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 4th St., Unit C, Sarasota. Hours will be 4:30 to 10 p.m., the business says in a Facebook video announcing its April 10 opening.

Sarasota Observer reporter Ian Swaby contributed to this article.