Rio Azmee, Mixologist

Rio Azmee is Creative Director and Partner of Stone & Soil, a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood. Born into an immigrant family and raised in New York, Rio Azmee brings a global sensibility and a deep respect for Japanese hospitality to his latest venture. His restaurant career began in 2011 at the acclaimed Japanese ramen chain Ippudo, where he developed a strong foundation in Japanese dining culture, precision, and service, later contributing to the opening of Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant in 2016. In 2017, Rio went on to open his own concepts — Shinka Ramen & Sake, Bowery Beer Garden and a rooftop bar in Chinatown's Lower East Side—experiences that shaped his approach to concept-driven spaces, beverage programs, and guest experience. In 2019, Rio joined Bar Moga, where his focus on cocktails, service flow and omotenashi deepened. At Stone & Soil, Rio emphasizes sustainability and minimalism, blending technique with storytelling to create an intimate, welcoming space where every drink is intentional and every guest feels like a regular.