This counter service stir fry and sushi place also has adequate inside seating. The stir fry is cooked to order, with fresh veggies and a tasty sauce. I particularly liked the scallops in my shrimp and scallop combination.
And how can you beat a lunch special with two sushi rolls of your choice, a ginger salad, and a drink for $8.99? The spicy tuna roll was actually spicy, and the salmon wash fresh.
Friendly service.
Quite good sushi and sashimi and Ramen and cooked dishes, in a pleasantly decorated setting. Tables are nicely spaced, and the environment is good.
Fish quality was good. Service was lacking.
Orlando has recently been blessed with many great omakase restaurants, but none of them are like Sorekara. It is unlike any restaurant I’ve been to around the world. It’s much more than simply a meal, it is a true experience.
With only ten guests per night (perhaps eventually 12) it is a highly personal experience where each party is handled separately. Your journey begins in a room that is literally a zen garden. Introductory remarks introduce the concept of “Sorekara” or “And then…” The goal is to create a peaceful, all-encompassing experience where you are fully in the moment. You are encouraged to put away your phone or camera, and just enjoy.
You will travel through four spaces, spending most of your time at a spacious natural wood bar as you enjoy 25 or so courses ranging from a single bite to more substantial bowls and plates. The focus is on Japanese-sourced seafood, but it is nothing like sushi. Ten accompanying wine pairings accentuate an amazing array of flavors. Final dessert courses are served in the most serene dining room I’ve ever encountered.
Through every step, each server made it clear that this restaurant is their passion, and it’s easy to see why.
Sorekara is destined to become a destination restaurant, one that foodies from all around the world will come to Orlando to experience.
I’ve been coming to this delightful sushi restaurant for years. I love the dark ambiance. The lighting designer was a genius.
My favorite items are the appetizers, which focus on a variety of modern sashimi preparations. Nice cocktail list and wines by the bottle or glass. Friendly service.
***** (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.
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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
***** (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
***** (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
**** (4 stars)
This is a small restaurant in a strip mall. The sushi is well-prepared, and there were an interesting assortment of specials including kanpachi (amber jack), my favorite. We also tried the tempura, which was nice and light. Service was friendly.Yamato Japanese Restaurant
1741 W Grand AveSte E
Grover Beach, CA
93433
(805) 481-3986
https://www.yelp.com/biz/yamato-japanese-restaurant-grover-beach
**** (4 stars)
This is an excellent choice for a neighborhood sushi restaurant, as evidenced by its popularity. The quality and variety of the fish is excellent. Just be aware that portions are very large, so don’t over-order like we did. For example, an order of salmon sashimi included eight pieces! Service is on a tag team basis, and worked very well.
Tomodachi Restaurant
2779 Agoura Rd
Westlake Village, CA
91361
(805) 777-7578
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tomodachi-restaurant-westlake-village