Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded temaki sushi handroll bar and lounge Sushi Saint is preparing to expand with a new sister concept that will continue to showcase Sushi Saint’s sushi know-how while expanding the Orlando-based restaurant’s repertoire. The new restaurant called Nomikai by Sushi Saint, and it’s opening at 8371 International Drive, Suite 60, at Icon Park.
“‘Nomikai’ means a celebratory drinking event, like when your boss takes you and your work colleagues out to celebrate,” owner Michael Collantes told What Now on Tuesday. “So it’s going to be a very celebratory place.”
Featuring “the same amazing sushi program Sushi Saint is known for,” Collantes says, Nomikai will expand the range of offerings to include more hot dishes from the kitchen, including a bone-in ribeye, tomahawks, lobster noods, and large sharables.
“We’re doing big protein plates, but also with a heavy veggie focus, with lots of stuff for vegetarians.”
The interior will have what Collantes calls a “Tokyo neo-cyberpunk vibe,” with neon blues and purples and eye-popping art.
“It’ll be dark and moody, with electronica, house, loungey music. Basically, it’s going to be what the local guys behind Sushi Saint are doing in the tourist space, so people can see, ‘Wow, this is Florida. This is what Orlando chefs are doing.”
There will be seating for about 60 guests.
“Coming from a restaurateur that does 10- to 30-seat restaurants, this is my big restaurant,” says Collantes. “We want intimacy; we want storytelling; that’s everything we’re doing with 86 Hospitality.”
You can keep up with all things Sushi Saint by following @sushisaintfl on Instagram.
