Michelin-starred chef Michael Collantes’ entry into Orlando’s tourism corridor is set as the team at 86 Hospitality Group says that Nomikai by Sushi Saint, their “most ambitious concept yet,” will open late this summer at Icon Park (8371 International Drive in Orlando).
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The menu, Collantes says, will expand on Sushi Saint‘s raw preparations, including rolls, temaki and large-format omakase platters.
“The style of dining is still within that family-style sharing, having some familiar sushi but primarily large format dishes like our picanha and lobster noodles,” Collantes told the Orlando Sentinel. He projects a late July/early August opening date.
Additional items — koji-marinated, dry-aged tomahawk and bone-in ribeye steaks, whole branzino and miso king salmon — will doubtless dazzle as they arrive tableside. Sharing is the focus.
An elevated cocktail program will pull inspiration from Japanese ingredients, but Collantes says the space will be as intentional as the food and drink, describing the interior as “Tokyo neo-cyberpunk.” Cool neon hues and original artwork will keep the space dark and moody, its ambiance boosted by a soundtrack of electronica, house and lounge music.
Intimacy is key. The space will have just 60 seats.
“Coming from 10- to 30-seat restaurants,” he said, “this is my big restaurant, but we still … want storytelling.”
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As Collantes’ first project in the tourism corridor, it’s something all-new for the company.
“It seems to get many new and returning guests coming here for conventions and travel,” he notes. “We hope to showcase some local hospitality and connect our traveling guests and local guests around the area to great local partners and farmers that we’ve been working with for the past few years.
Nomikai is a Japanese word that translates to something of a party, a special social event built around food, drink and friends. It’s what Collantes and his team plan to offer guests who visit and to show them the hosts they have here in Orlando.
“This is what the local guys are doing in the tourist space,” he says.
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