***** (5 stars)

Ten-seat Michelin one-star omakase bar with top-notch service and a friendly atmosphere. The cold dishes are the highlight, with extremely high-quality nigiri.

The menu changes daily, depending on what locally sourced items are available. For example, on our visit dessert included a strawberry that had been foraged that morning and was simply sliced in half. Sounds simple, but it was sensational.

The standouts for me were the caviar course and the buri sashimi.

Two palate cleansers served during the meal were also noteworthy.

The fish from the nigiri is sourced from around the world, mainly from Japan, but most other ingredients were local.

We were not particularly excited by any of the hot dishes, but these change often. Chef said they had served over 400 different dishes in the less than two years they have been open!

I recommend the “Past, Present, and Future” wine pairing, the more expensive of the two offered, which was extremely well curated.

MENU

• 2004 Champagne Tarlant, ‘Cuvée Louis Tarlant’-(Euilly, Vallée de la Marne, France

• 2020. Foradori, Nosiola, ‘Fontanasanta’-Mezzolombardo, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

• 2018 Akishika, Junmai Ginjo Namagenshu, ‘Black Moheji’ –

• Kikuhime, Yamahai Ginjo Genshu, ‘Origarami’ –

• 2014 Prà, Passito Bianco delle Fontane – Monteforte d’Alpone, Veneto, Italy

Soseki Modern Omakase
955 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789

https://www.yelp.com/biz/soseki-modern-omakase-winter-park-2

**** (4 stars)

We went here as part of the Epicurioius progressive dinners, and really enjoyed the three offerings: pickled vegetables, spider roll, and steamed bar bun with Peking duck. The latter was the group's favorite.

The only problem is that the room is extremely austere, all hard steel and stone surfaces, so it's not necessarily the coziest Asian dining experience.

The service was wonderful.

Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge
14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln
Orlando, FL 32821

https://www.yelp.com/biz/zeta-bar-and-sushi-lounge-orlando

***** (5 stars)

This is my favorite rendition of the sushi places that have been in this spot. The decor has been refreshed, and the menu is quite extensive. The ceviche was one of the best dishes I've had. It's an interesting fusion of Japanese ingredients and traditional ceviche preparation. Service is very attentive.

Umi
525 S Park Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789

https://www.yelp.com/biz/umi-winter-park-4

***** (5 stars)

Boku serves excellent quality sushi and sashimi in elegant surroundings. It's tucked into the corner of its complex, next to the parking garage and behind the Starbucks.

The decor is a welcoming mixture of interesting textures and colors, a combination of wood, tile, and stone. I like that each table along the windows has its own unique lighting treatment.

The extensive dinner menu is supplemented by a lunch menu and daily specials. I started with the Jalapeno Hamachi, which was the best version of this appetizer I've had.

For my lunch I had the sashimi lunch with all fish, as I don't care for the clam, squid, or octopus selections that are often included in such samplers. I loved all of the fish, and the presentation was beautiful, and included plenty of shiso leaves, which are like catnip to me.

Service was friendly and the food was delivered quickly, so a good choice for lunch indeed.

Boku Sushi & Grill
140 Independence Ln
Maitland, FL 32751

https://www.yelp.com/biz/boku-sushi-and-grill-maitland