sashimi – Orlando Sushi Gourmet

8/24/2018 Noon –

I was on the way to Sushi Lola’s to a review but I arrived 15 minutes early, for they open at 11:30a and I remembered another sushi place I’ve been wanting to try for a couple months now called Yamasan Sushi & Grill in Orlando, FL. Located on 17-92 (Mills Ave) at the tail end of the northbound restaurant blow up from Winter Park to Maitland, Yamasan sits in a small area with 3 other restaurants, all free standing around a small courtyard. It’s very city modern, and highly attractive. Parking is at a premium sometimes, so if you can Lyft or Uber, make sure you do so for the evening rushes in the area.

Now, I drive for Lyft and 17-92/Mills Ave isn’t really a high traffic area during the day, and I discovered Yamasan from a passenger, who was a waitress at the restaurant. I’ve driven a few sushi restaurant employees to and from work and I always ask if they like sushi. This passenger was the first (and so far only) one to say she loves sushi! She told me I had to come when I dropped her off. The outside appearance of Yamasan is really appealing. Modern American construction with a Japanese flare. Outside seating is available, and inside seating with a 12 seat sushi bar.

I was greeted by the outside attendant who was cleaning – and I must say the place is extremely clean, well lit, and beautiful. Look at that wall fountain!

I was greeted inside by the host, and waiter, given the menus (sake/wine) and full menu. A sign outside gave the specials. The host gave me a complimentary shot of hot sake that was very refreshing for being hot, and semi-strong. It was 11:45am when I sat down so this woke me up. The sushi chefs also greeted me. The host asked if this was my first time here, which I responded yes, and he started giving me the rundown on his fresh uni (sea urchin) and o-toro (fatty blue fin tuna belly). VERY nice for a restaurant to do this.

I placed an order for salted salmon onigiri (rice balls; $4.50) and watched the chefs prep for the day, and my meal. Tuna, roe, and smoked eel under the glass, and the smell of cooking food made the atmosphere serene. There’s a TV which is turned very low so as not to disturb and tables around. The decor, as you can see, is modern. Each seat has a plate for your chopsticks, soy sauce, napkin and metal chopsticks. I asked for wooden, as metal is so cold. My drink order was as usual unsweet tea ($2.50).

After placing my order for onigiri, the waiter took my sushi order – octopus (tako) nigiri ($5.50), blue fin o-toro nigiri (M.P. ended up being $22), escolar nigiri (6.00) and a tuna roll (tekka, $6.75).

Two soft and warm rice balls of tasty salmon was handed to me by the chef. It was so good I forgot to snap a pic with both! The rice was a wonderful body temp and perfectly handled. The salmon inside smooth, firm, and delicious. A couple drink refills later, the sushi chef handed me my first plate – the nigiri.

From Right to Left: Escolar (makrel), O-toro (fatty blue fin tuna belly) and tako (octopus)

Let me tell you, that o-toro was amazing. So silky was the fat, as as o-toro should, melted in my mouth. The host commented earlier all their tuna is o-toro, and he is correct to brag about that to his customers! The tako had the perfect amount of chew to it, a beautiful color, and presented gorgeously. Something about the dark reddish purple appeals to me. The escolar also was delicious and smooth. The rice though wasn’t pressed hard enough so mixing it with metal chopsticks (I asked for wood right after trying the metal), didn’t work at all. An abundant amount of pink ginger (gar) was given, and was helpful between the onigiri and nigiri. Finishing this plate left me sad as more o-toro was wanted badly!

The tuna roll came between the 4th and 5th piece. Simple, elegant and rolled perfectly. The cut also allowed more seaweed paper (nori) to be grasped. The tuna is a dark reddish hue as it should be, no wasabi was to be tasted inside the roll.

Now this is probably the most I’ve spent on sushi alone, ever. And I must say, I would happily do it again. Extremely friendly staff, talkative and skilled chefs, a clean and enjoyable restaurant, and sushi priced perfectly for the quality! Visit Yamasan, please! You won’t be sorry and you’ll be raving about it like I am!

Yamasan Sushi is located at: 1606 N. Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Hours:
Sunday – Monday 11:30a until 9:30p

Phone: 407-228-1730
Website: http://www.yamasansushigrill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yamasandining1/

First trip 8/17/2018 12:45pm –

Arigato Sushi has been in Winter Park, Florida for a long time. It resides in an old red-roof Pizza Hut that I ate at regularly in the early to 1990s when my grandmother lived 2 miles up the road in Casselberry. The Pizza Hut was run-of-the-mill but Arigato Sushi is deceptive from the outside.

Arigato Sushi is reported to be casual Asian dining. Located next to a bar, fitness club and a CVS pharmacy, this might put you off. But be adventurous. Reviews are high for this small place. Specials are on the road sign, rice and noodles take out special, and bento boxes.

When I entered, the host greeted me, and I asked if they had a sushi bar, which is right around the corner from the entrance. Extremely attractive, it has clear displays to see the seafood offerings (tuna, salmon, octopus, white fish). Sushi boats, katanas, and banners on on display. I will say, I dislike katana sets (katana, wakizashi and tanto) being displayed in Japanese restaurants. They’re almost always wall-hangers that really are just big butter knives. Arigato has two (one pictured below). Seeing the ingredients on display really made me hungry, especially that octopus..

image1 (5)

The host gave me two menus (regular, and specials menu) and took my drink order. The sushi portions of the menu are respectable, with individual types being sold as 2pc nigiri and 3 piece sashimi. A different offering compared to the 1pc many restaurants offer. Prices respectable $5 to market price (uni, squid). The sushi chef did not greet me, or talk to me throughout the entire meal. The atmosphere is casual, but modern semi-elegant. Enjoyable with a TV on that isn’t so loud as I wouldn’t be able to talk to a guest I might have with me, kitchen noise is quite low, and fellow patron conversations cannot easily be overheard. I ordered what I consider standards for a sushi bar – tuna roll, salmon roll, and 2pc uni nigiri. I was informed they did not have uni. Japanese uni won’t come into season until next month (September), Maine sushi is only 3 months (Sept, Dec/Jan) but California is a summer-time catch so should be available. I can only guess perhaps it’s not popular?

Miso soup was served before, as part of the combo. Was tasty and hot. My meal came extremely fast – no more than 7 minutes. To me this doesn’t bode well. 2 rolls and 2pc of nigiri shouldn’t come that fast. What arrived is what’s pictured below.

The octopus (tako) nigiri was amazing. I saved it for last because it was so beautiful. The salmon roll was tasty, as was the tuna. I normally am a tuna fanboy, but the salmon won this round. Larger pieces of fish are present as compared to surrounding restaurants. There only downsides were the knife skills of the chef. The rice can be seen poking out of the end pieces, along with the fish. Thin rolls also made using fingers slightly more difficult. The rolls were not rolled tightly, as picking them up, they unrolled partially. Props though as wasabi was used in the construction of the roll. It’s lingering heat leads me to believe it’s not true wasabi, but the amalgamated paste (horseradish). Soy sauce (low sodium and regular) were made available, along with a ramekin to pour it into. Pink ginger (gari) was available instead of white.

My drink was not refilled until after I had finished eating. The price was right on (~$18) for 2 rolls, and 2pc nigiri, and drink.

Arigato Sushi was a pleasant little surprise. I have lived near it so long, but never stopped in. I definitely would again, to try their other offerings.

Arigato Sushi is located at 1560 Semoran Blvd, Winter Park, Florida 32792

Hours:
Lunch:
Monday – Saturday 11:30 – 3:30p

Dinner:
Monday – Thursday 5p – 10p
Friday – Saturday 5p to 11p
Sunday 5p – 10p

Phone # – 407-740-8018
Website – http://www.arigatosushiwinterpark.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ArigatoWinterPark/

Tag: sashimi

Yamasan Sushi & Grill (Lunch)

Arigato Sushi (Lunch)