Yuki Hana

***** (5 stars)

Another amazing sushi fusion place on the east side of Orlando! We sampled a large portion of the menu at a decadent Saturday lunch, and everything was excellent. Some of the fish is flown in from Japan, and it shows. I particularly liked the lightness of the Vietnamese roll, which contained three types of fish, lettuce, wrapped in rice paper and topped with crushed peanuts. Very creative, fresh and delicious sushi and sashimi.

Yuki Hana
3635 Aloma Avenue
Oviedo, FL 32765
(407) 695-8808
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yuki-hana-oviedo

Satini Sushi & Tioca Bar

**** (4 stars)

This place mixes a variety of Asian cuisines, although sushi dominates. There’s a bit of Vietnamese, and some Chinese, too. I actually wish they’d go farther with the fusion concept. Also it would be helpful if dishes has their traditional names. For example, they have their own version of Bahn Mi sandwiches, but they are simply called Vietnamese style sandwiches. I think they underestimate their customers.

Anyway, the Vietnamese vermicelli bowl I had was excellent, with a nice crispy spring roll and very tasty fish sauce.

The did a pretty good job of redecorating this place from a sports bar, although it will be better when the smell of paint subsides.

Service is friendly and helpful.

Satini Sushi & Tioca Bar
6700 Conroy Windermere Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 253-7008
http://www.yelp.com/biz/satini-sushi-and-tioca-bar-orlando

Kabooki Sushi

***** (5 stars)

I’ve had sushi all over the world, from Tokyo to Los Angeles, New York and Nobu in London. But I’ve never had better than here at Kabooki. We had the omakase, where you put yourself in the chef’s hands. He came to the table to assess our tastes, and then repeatedly to check on each dish. Everything was stellar, but the real stunner was the sashimi platter, where the perfection and simplicity of the fish left us in awe. Each was served with a different tiny dot of sauce and sprig of micro green. The accompanying wine pairing was generous and high quality. This will become our weekly pilgrimage. It’s unbelievable to find this quality of sushi in Orlando.

Kabooki Sushi
3122 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 228-3839
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kabooki-sushi-orlando

McCoy’s Bar & Grill

**** (4 stars)

This is our go-to place whenever we’re flying in and out of MCO. My favorite is the salmon salad.

My wife loves the sampler, which allows you to select three small plates such as hummus, chicken wings or quesadilla. They’re server on a tower that is kind of fun. It would also make a good shareable appetizer for a party of three or four.

The recently remodeled and added a sushi bar, but I’ve never been to the restaurant when it was actually open, which is a shame. I wish they would extend the hours beyond dinner time.

Service is fast and efficient, so it’s possible to have a pleasant meal and still make it to your gate without a rush.

McCoy’s Bar & Grill
9300 Airport Blvd
Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 825-1340
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mccoys-bar-and-grill-orlando

Ocha

***** (5 stars)

This cozy little place is on 46th Street’s restaurant row between 8th and 9th. The fish is fresh and menu offerings are extensive. The sashimi sampler was generous, and the salmon tartare had a great sauce. We ate at the top rated Sushi Yasuda two days earlier, and Ocha was much better at a fraction of the price. Service can be a bit inattentive, but if you’re in no hurry it’s a great choice.

Ocha
350 W 46th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 581-3198
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ocha-new-york

Sushi Yasuda

* (1 stars)

Many people think this is the best sushi in New York. I don’t get it. Most restaurants I’ve been to serve better sushi.

“Omakase” is where you put yourself in the chef’s hands and multiple specialties are served. I’ve had it in some highly regarded restaurants in Los Angeles. At one, special delicacies were flown in daily from Tokyo (they later were put out of business for selling endangered species). At another, plate after plate of tiny tastes were served, with each thoughtful ingredient contributing to an almost life-changing wonderment.

Not at Sushi Yasuda. Here, the omakase showed up as a platter of sashimi looking like it was cut up by an axe murderer. Nearly every fish had the soft, mealy texture of near-pudding, and it was all uniformly flavorless. Then a platter of sushi showed up. Same fish, now on crumbly rice. The final plate was a piece of eel sushi, also mealy. How do you even make eel mealy? At $357 for three, the biggest dining disappointment ever.

Sushi Yasuda
204 E 43rd St
New York, NY 10017
(212) 972-1001
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-yasuda-new-york

Haru Sushi

**** (4 stars)

We found this little sushi place just off Broadway after a show, and were quite pleased with it. Although it is a mini chain, it didn’t seem so, and it was worlds better than the tourist restaurants on Times Square. The decor is soothing, the fish is fresh, and the service was super-attentive. I would definitely return.

Haru Sushi
229 W 43rd St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 398-9810
http://www.yelp.com/biz/haru-sushi-new-york-2

Amura Japanese Restaurant

*** (3 stars)

I find the sushi here quite expensive compared to other choices nearby, and not really any better. Amura seems like it’s aimed more at the tourist market, with its proximity to I-Drive and the convention center.  It’s okay, but not worth the premium.

Amura Japanese Restaurant
7786 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-0007
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amura-japanese-restaurant-orlando-2

Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi

**** (4 stars)

Good sushi in a trendy upscale environment that seems more like LA than Orlando. I’ve had better robata in Tokyo, but the sauces served with it here are fantastic. We like to sit in the bar, which is a bit more intimate than the bustling restaurant, and still offers the full menu.

Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi
7972 Via Dellagio Way
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-3359
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dragonfly-robata-grill-and-sushi-orlando

Bento Cafe

*** (3 stars)

This place is okay, but I don’t get the concept. Why do I have to order at the counter when the rest of the place is run like a regular table service restaurant? If you want an assortment of sushi, it’s awkward to have to decide on everything while in line. Quality of the bento boxes is fine, but I’d rather just go to a sushi bar.

Bento Cafe
7335 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-2277
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bento-cafe-orlando-2