Gochi Sushi Cafe: A Review of Central Florida's Newest Sushi Restaurant

Last night I had the pleasure of trying a new sushi restaurant, Gochi Sushi Café in Winter Garden. If you're read my previous article on Japanese restaurants in New York (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/751559/japanese_restaurants_in_new_york_city.html) then you know I love good sushi. In that article, I reviewed my favorite Japanese restaurants in New York City; I lived there for a while and was amazed at the number of great sushi places in Manhattan.

Since moving back to Orlando, I've tried the different sushi places around town but found that they were either average or good but in all cases expensive for what you get. That was until I went to Gochi Sushi Café last night. Gochi Sushi Café offers sushi, tempura, and katsu that is all excellent and at a very reasonable price.

Tyler, the master sushi chef at Gochi told me that he used to work at the Royal Pacific hotel in Orlando as a sushi chef. In case you didn't know, the sushi bar there is known around town as a place for good sushi (at a high price, anyway). I suspect a lot of that reputation had to do with Tyler working there. His masterful creations are a testament to his ability as a sushi chef.

My guests and I tried the Crunch roll which was excellent. The ingredients were fresh and it was just the right size - not too big or too small. And at only $6.00, it was a great value. I also tried the chicken katsu. I don't know any other Japanese restaurant where you can get chicken katsu (and it was a large piece of chicken) for only $5.50! It was tasty and worth the price.

Our server, Kyoko, when I asked for an authentic Japanese drink, recommended a Japanese soda called Ramune. Now, if you've never tried Ramune you're in for a treat. It's a soda in a glass bottle but when you open it you push a marble down into the bottle to carbonate the soda. I had trouble doing it, so Kyoko, who told me she has been drinking Ramune since she was a little girl in Japan, helped me open the bottle and get the marble into the bottle. It was both delicious and refreshing (and, in a Japanese way, cute).

Over all Gochi Sushi Café is what the Central Florida area has long needed, good sushi and a good value. The space is not overdone or pretentious. It's simple and does not need to be over the top because the food is the real star here.

Stop by and say hi to Tyler, Kyoko, and the rest of the gang at Gochi Sushi Café. You'll be glad you did.

Gochi Sushi Café is located at:

The Shoppes at West Point Commons

13770 W. Colonial Dr. Suite 130

Winter Garden, FL 34787

Phone: (407) 877-0050

Hours vary so call before going or check out the website at

www.gochisushicafe.com