In October, SRQ Daily covered the soft opening of Zoto Sushi, an izakaya (Japanese-style bar) in Sarasota’s University Town Center. Now the Michelin-starred team behind Zoto is bringing a new level of Japanese fine dining to UTC with Yugen Omakase, a 10-seat reservation-only chef’s counter slated to open in December 2025. Yugen promises an intimate chef-to-guest experience within a hidden dining room adjacent to Zoto. Led by Jacob Portillo, the design embraces Japanese minimalism with dark, moody tones balanced by warm white oak wood for a serene, immersive atmosphere. The menu has been designed by Zoto’s executive chef Atsushi Okawara.

Omakase is a Japanese dining experience where diners entrust the chef with their meal. The phrase translates to “I’ll leave it up to you” and allows chefs the opportunity to showcase their creativity while using the freshest ingredients available for a curated dining experience. Yugen will feature a multi-course kaiseki menu focusing on hot and cold Japanese dishes that celebrate seasonality, technique and artistry. Considered the pinnacle of Japanese fine dining, kaiseki showcases a diverse range of cooking methods (grilling, steaming, simmering, frying and raw preparation) and creates an entire sensory experience.

“Kaiseki allows me to showcase the full spectrum of Japanese cuisine, beyond just sushi,” says Atsushi Okawara. “The dining experience will still be about trust — leaving your evening in the hands of the chef.”

The beverage side will be overseen by sommelier Benjamin Coutts, who has curated an extensive wine and sake program with a focus on Japanese craftsmanship, and beverage director Daniel Lugo, who brings a fresh and eclectic approach to Yugen’s cocktail program.

Guests can sign up for an invitation to preview week by joining the waitlist at yugenfl.com. You can also follow the eatery on Instagram for updates, sneak peeks and opening announcements.

Yugen, 190 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota, 941-359-9517, yugenfl.com.