- Attraction: Soseki Modern Omakase
- Location: 955 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.sosekifl.com
Chef Michael Collantes transforms Central Florida’s abundance into extraordinary art at his 10-seat culinary theater, where each dish tells a story that bridges Japanese tradition with Florida’s seasonal treasures.
This Michelin-starred modern omakase experience blends time-honored Japanese tradition with the vibrant seasonality of Central Florida, featuring a thoughtfully curated multi-course tasting menu that evolves with the region’s growing cycles.
Opened in 2021, Soseki earned its Michelin star just one year later in 2022, establishing itself as a destination where culinary precision meets Florida innovation.
You’ll find yourself seated at a dramatically lit chef’s counter where every course unfolds like a carefully choreographed performance. The counter is lit like a stage, with bright spotlights, dark walls, sleek wood floors, and ten plush seats.
This isn’t simply dinner; it’s an immersive experience where Chef Michael and his team personally interact with guests, explaining each course and how best to enjoy it, including which utensils to use.
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Keep Exploring →Culinary Highlights
The Omakase Experience: You can expect a multi-course experience of modern European techniques paired with traditional techniques of piece by piece sushi. The various courses – 15 or more depending on how you count them – are placed on a higher counter for diners to pull down in front of themselves. The restaurant offers elevated 15-course ($150) and 20-course ($185) meals that change monthly, ensuring each visit brings new discoveries.
Seasonal Florida Fusion: The smaller courses are ever-evolving thanks to a genuine commitment to local Florida produce, with previous highlights including Scandinavian-style sashimi, pan-seared scallop with cauliflower and caviar, and corn chawanmushi. You’ll taste how local farmers, fishermen, and artisans contribute to dishes that celebrate Florida’s terroir while honoring Japanese precision.
Premium Sushi Progression: Expect a faultless progression of warm, vinegared rice paired with a wonderful selection of fish, each one scored, sauced, and garnished to exacting standards. Whether it’s different types of sushi or other mains like duck breast, duck confit or white tilefish, each course is so tasty, so fresh, and expertly plated.
Creative Global Influences: The current menu, while predominantly Japanese, has global influences. Creativity, an essential component of today’s omakase houses, was on full display here. You might encounter unexpected combinations like foie gras and miso flan with churros for a superb finale.
Exceptional Beverage Program: Beverage director Benjamin Coutts, the Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier 2023 winner, has curated a global sake and wine program to accentuate the dishes and challenge traditional beverage pairing concepts. You’ll find well-paired Hungarian, Italian and Spanish wines that enrich the experience, alongside exceptional sake selections. Beverage pairings cost $75 and transform each course into a complete sensory journey.
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Theatrical Intimacy: The exterior is unassuming, located along Fairbanks Avenue next to Austin’s Coffee, with the entrance facing the back parking lot rather than the street. The lobby is small and cozy with friendly greeters who explain what to expect. Once inside, the intimate 10-seat arrangement creates an exclusive environment where you become part of the culinary theater.
Sophisticated Design: You’ll walk down a hallway to arrive at the glorious space, outfitted with dark walls, sleek wood floors and a functional counter armed with ten plush seats. The dramatic lighting focuses attention on the chefs’ artistry while creating an elegant yet approachable atmosphere.
Interactive Experience: Directly in front of each guest is a drawer containing all the utensils you might need throughout the meal, including chopsticks, spoons and, reluctantly, forks. At the end of the meal, the evening’s menu magically appears in this same drawer – a neat little sleight of hand. You’ll witness every aspect of preparation while engaging with passionate chefs who share the stories behind each creation.
Other Considerations
Premium Pricing Experience: Dinner for one person comes to just over $259 with tax and service charge, with beverages extra. This is admittedly a pricey experience, but the talented folks who prepare the food and interact with guests on a personal level make it worthwhile. You’re paying for exceptional skill, artistry, and an experience that rivals the world’s finest omakase restaurants.
Reservation Requirements: Both occupy indistinct buildings with little or no signage – walk-in diners aren’t allowed, so advance reservations through their website are essential. All sales are final and non-refundable, though reservations can be rescheduled with 5 days’ notice for a $100 per person fee or transferred to another guest.
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Keep Exploring →Dining Schedule: Soseki is open Wednesday through Sunday with two seatings Thursday through Friday. You should allow 1.5 to 2 hours per experience and arrive 15 minutes early, as they start promptly at the scheduled time. A six-course Saturday lunch experience is now available as a more budget-friendly option.
Parking Convenience: Parking is available in the back parking lot, which is convenient since the entrance faces the parking area. This eliminates any stress about finding street parking in Winter Park.
Dress Code & Etiquette: The dress code is casual elegant/smart casual, and guests are kindly asked to refrain from wearing strong fragrances or perfumes to preserve the sensory balance of the tasting experience.
Dietary Accommodations: They can accommodate pescatarian and shellfish restrictions with course substitutions, but not gluten or dairy intolerance. Soseki currently does not offer a full vegetarian experience.
Soseki Modern Omakase
📍 955 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
