Sarasota has long been known as a foodie town, a place where new restaurants seem to pop up every month and coastal flavors meet creative flair. But for all its culinary charm, one thing the city has yet to claim is Michelin-star pedigree. That may be about to change with the arrival of Zoto, a sleek new Japanese eatery bringing fine-dining credentials and international polish to the local scene. The brainchild of Jimmy and Johnny Tung, James Beard–nominated restaurateurs with a track record of shaping some of the country’s most exciting dining concepts, Zoto blends the spirit of Japanese bar culture with the artistry of modern cuisine. Zoto was conceptualized as an izakaya, a type of Japanese bar that serves a variety of alcoholic beverages and shareable plates, somewhat akin to a tapas bar. But with a team whose combined résumé includes Michelin-level kitchens and award-winning restaurants, Zoto represents more than just another trendy opening. It’s a sign that Sarasota’s dining scene is stepping confidently onto the national stage. “We’ve assembled a great team with Michelin-level experience to bring something new to Sarasota,” says Johnny Tung. “Zoto is an elevated izakaya experience with sharing plates, cocktails, great sakes and wines all with a little bit of a modern twist to it.” The Tung brothers are accomplished restaurateurs in their own right: one of their other ventures, Kosen, is one of just five restaurants in Tampa with a Michelin star. They’ve also brought on experienced team members. Benjamin Coutts, the beverage director at Zoto was a founding member of Soseki Modern Omakase in Winter Park which earned its first Michelin star in its inaugural year. In 2023, he was honored as Sommelier of the Year by Michelin Guide Florida.  “I like to send people down the road less traveled,” Coutts says. “I’m really big on pairings, flavors and weaving people in and out of their comfort zone so they can have a really great experience.” Zoto’s executive chef is Atsushi Okawara, who earned a Michelin star as head sushi chef at Kenzo, an upscale Japanese restaurant in Napa Valley, in its inaugural year. More recently, he served as the head chef at The Den at Azubu Miami Beach where he earned Michelin stars in 2022 and 2023. Okawara excels at traditional Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. “I always order different types of fish and seasonal items every week, so the menu is always evolving,” he says. Zoto had its soft opening in October and at press time hadn’t yet announced a grand opening date as the team worked on fine-tuning the menu  with the meticulous attention to detail you’d expect from such decorated professionals.  “We’re taking it in phases because we’re new to Sarasota and we want to understand what people are looking for,” says Tung. “We’ve had great reception so far and a lot of support from our guests. We feel very confident and we’re really thankful that people have come out to support us.”