Caruso — Partnership
Partner: Caruso (formerly Caruso Affiliated) Type: Real estate / anchor tenant relationship Markets: Los Angeles, CA Active Locations: The Grove (2015–present), Palisades Village (2018–present)
About Caruso
Caruso is one of the largest privately held real estate development companies in the U.S., founded by Rick Caruso. The company develops and operates luxury mixed-use properties across California — most notably The Grove and Palisades Village in Los Angeles.
How the Partnership Started
Blue Ribbon’s first California location opened at The Grove in spring 2015 — taking over the former Gordon Ramsay Fat Cow space adjacent to Pacific Theaters, across from the property’s central fountain. This was Blue Ribbon’s first restaurant outside New York (aside from the Las Vegas Cosmopolitan, which opened 2010).
The Grove interior was designed by Asfour Guzy Architects (the predecessor firm to eagle-benzwie-architects) — high ceilings, sushi bar seating, wooden booths, teak and ivory tones. An outdoor patio overlooks the Grove fountain.
The success of The Grove location led directly to Palisades Village: Caruso approached eric-bromberg and bruce-bromberg and offered them a corner location in the new development.
“With the success of Blue Ribbon Sushi at The Grove, Caruso offered founders and chefs Eric and Bruce Bromberg a corner location.” — JustLuxe
The Grove — Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
Opened: Spring 2015 Address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Concept: sushi-bar-grill Seating: Sushi bar, indoor dining room, outdoor patio (fountain-facing) Note: During the January 2026 Palisades fires, Palisades Village temporarily redirected guests to dine at The Grove location.
Palisades Village — Blue Ribbon Sushi
Opened: Fall 2018 Address: 15201 Palisades Village Lane, Pacific Palisades, CA Concept: sushi + ueki (Ueki omakase opening end of summer 2026)
Eric Bromberg was personally at the pass on opening week. bruce-bromberg is a Pacific Palisades resident — the neighborhood is personal, not just a market opportunity.
Also at Palisades Village: Hank’s — a casual burger bar from the Brombergs, opened the same fall.
The Wildfires — January 2026
The January 2026 Palisades Fire reached Palisades Village. Bruce Bromberg confirmed to the LA Times that the sushi restaurant’s patio caught fire at one point. Rick Caruso allegedly hired private firefighters to protect the development during the disaster — an action that sparked public debate about wealth and emergency services access.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Palisades Village is now in active post-fire reopening. Ueki omakase is planned to open within the space at end of summer 2026.
Strategic Significance
The Caruso relationship represents Blue Ribbon’s entire California footprint. Both LA locations are on Caruso properties. The progression — Grove success → Palisades offer — suggests Caruso views Blue Ribbon as a preferred anchor tenant for premium mixed-use developments. Bruce Bromberg’s personal connection to Pacific Palisades deepens that tie.