Foodie Focus: Zoetic Sushi & Sake

This area is full of hidden gems, and Zoetic Sushi & Sake in Downtown Sanford is certainly one of them! This is not your typical sushi bar. This a private, upscale, chef’s tasting experience. Zoetic Sushi features omakase style dining, which means the menu is entirely determined by the chef – usually resulting in a exclusive experience using the very best and finest seasonal ingredients. Zoetic’s Chef Chuck prepares a 9-15 course omakase focusing on traditional edomae sushi. Hot dishes may be included if an opportunity arises, but his passion is the creation of an amazing sushi experience.

Not only does Zoetic offer a unique dining experience, but the setting is atypical as well. The tasting takes place in a modern, high-end showroom within the ZL Homes building. The upscale art and fixtures really set the stage for what is sure to be a unique and unforgettable experience. ​

After entering the gallery, you are given a tasty, citrus flavored sake drink and ushered to the back of the building to wait on plush sofas surrounded by upscale decor. When the chef is ready, he’ll invite you into the dining area. You and the rest of your group will sit around a bar while Chef Chuck prepares your dinner in front of you. Once seated, he’ll pour everyone a shot of sake and the fun begins!

One of the best parts of the experience is watching the chef create your food. While the majority of the breakdown of the fish has already been taken care of for timing purposes (otherwise you’d be there all night), you’ll still get to watch him slice the fish and create amazing and aesthetically astounding plates. While he prepares the food, Chef Chuck will tell you about the ordering process, the fish, or anything else that might interest you. It’s not often that you get to learn the history of the actual fish you’re consuming at that very moment. It kept us all entertained, and I learned a lot about the incredible amount of labor involved in every piece of sushi.

We started with a seaweed salad, including lotus root. We then moved to a Japanese scallop topped with uni and ikura. This dish was also served with some seagrass topped with “Japanese anchovies.” After that we moved to hairy crab on top of seagrass and sliced Giant Pacific Octopus with more ikura and green tea steeped in sake. ​

We then moved onto the nigiri portion of the evening. It was fascinating to watch him slice the fish, fashion the rice, and combine the two. We were told we had to eat the nigiri with our hands as the vinegar he uses does not make the rice as sticky as other sushi bars. The nigiri included butterfish, sea bass, yellowtail, and three striped grunt. ​

We closed the fish portion of the evening with two incredible pieces of tuna. Chef Chuck suggested we begin with the leaner piece and move to the fattier piece. I followed his recommendation, and was very pleased. At least for me, it was easier to taste the unique tuna flavor in the leaner piece. Eating this first allowed the flavors of the fattier piece to shine through. ​

Onward to dessert! Chef Chuck used a shaved ice machine to prepare a beautiful dragon fruit dessert. The cup included dragon fruit and coconut puree, bourbon maple syrup, a mint leaf, and a piece of dragon fruit. Mixed together, the tartness of the dragon fruit and the sweetness of the syrup and coconut really blended well, and the mint leaf added a refreshing element. I don’t eat shaved ice often so this really felt like a unique treat. ​

My final thoughts – This was my first experience with omakase dining. When I’m at a traditional sushi bar, I tend to order things that I already know I like and enjoy. I appreciated a chef-driven menu that encouraged me to try different fishes and dishes that I may not have ordered otherwise. It was fascinating to hear Chef Chuck share his experiences ordering, receiving, and preparing the food that we were enjoying that night. It really created an even deeper appreciation for the sushi. Chef Chuck creates beautiful and delicious food that is well worth the price of admission.

I highly recommend this experience for anyone that enjoys sushi and is looking for an unforgettable evening. Zoetic Sushi & Sake would be great for a date, a night out with friends or colleagues, or connecting with adult family members.

**This post is sponsored by Zoetic Sushi & Sake. I was invited to experience omakase dining. All opinions are my own**

Special Tips: 

• There are only eight spots per seating, so make sure to reserve your date early!
• Pricing and the number of courses vary by the day. Double check the website to make sure you know which menu you are reserving.
• Zoetic Sushi & Sake is located directly inside the ZL Homes building. There is no exterior signage indicating the omakase experience, but as soon as you walk inside you will be directed appropriately.