Orlando Spotlight: Sorekara

Sorekara, located in the Baldwin Park neighborhood of Orlando, Florida, is a highly acclaimed Japanese-contemporary restaurant known for its exceptional and immersive dining experience.¹

Here is a breakdown of information about Sorekara:

What Makes it Unique

Sorekara, which translates to “And then…” in Japanese, is not a typical restaurant; it is an immersive, multi-hour, multi-room, single-seating tasting-only experience.²

• Thematic Focus: The restaurant centers its dining philosophy on the concept of time and the temporal nature of moments, drawing deep inspiration from the 72 micro-seasons (or kō seasons) of Japan.³ The menu evolves continuously to reflect these fleeting seasonal changes.⁴

   

• Multi-Room Journey: Guests are taken through a progression of several beautifully designed spaces—often starting in a tranquil area inspired by a Zen garden, moving to a main dining counter overlooking a lake, and concluding in a final, serene dessert room.⁵

   

• Atmosphere and Design: The architecture and décor are integral to the experience, creating a museum-like sanctuary of Japanese serenity.⁶ Notable design elements include:

   

  • A chef’s counter crafted from a 700-year-old keyaki tree.⁷

     

  • A private dining room, “Fox Hall,” anchored by a table made from 900-year-old Japanese Kusunoki (red camphor) wood.⁸

     

• Philosophy and Service: The entire experience encourages guests to be fully present and “cherish every moment.”⁹ The service is known for its passion, in-depth explanation of courses, and attention to detail.¹⁰

   

History and Chef

• Sorekara was conceived by Chef and Founder William Shen and restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung.¹¹

   

• Chef Shen’s approach is described as “reimagined Japanese cuisine through the lens of a Japanese American chef,” blending traditional Japanese ingredients and philosophy with highly original, creative, and sometimes whimsical techniques.¹²

   

Highlight Menu Items

As a tasting menu that changes continuously based on the 72 micro-seasons, the specific dishes are always evolving.¹³ However, the multi-course menu (often 20-plus courses) is characterized by:

• High-Concept Dishes: Artful studies of flavor and presentation.¹⁴ Past dishes have included:

   

  • Madai (sea bream) snugged in a tomato vinaigrette and topped with caviar.¹⁵

     

  • Dry-aged duck and Japanese turnip.
  • Kegani (Hokkaido hairy crab) soup or tartlet.¹⁶

     

  • Whimsical courses, such as one designed to mimic a Japanese convenience store snack run or a creatively deconstructed “nigiri” presentation.¹⁷

     

• World-Class Ingredients: The use of the best ingredients, often sourced directly through relationships with Japanese farmers and fishermen.¹⁸

   

• Beverage Program: An extensive beverage program is available, often with sophisticated sommelier-selected pairings (including non-alcoholic options) to complement the tasting menu.¹⁹

   

Significant Events & Customer Feedback

• Michelin Stars: Sorekara has received significant critical acclaim, most notably becoming one of the very few restaurants in Florida to earn a prestigious Two-Michelin-Star rating.²⁰

   

• Service Award: The restaurant’s team has also been recognized, with its General Manager winning the MICHELIN Guide Florida Service Award.²¹

   

• Critic’s Pick: It has been named a “Critic’s Pick for Restaurant of the Year” by local publications.
• Customer Feedback: Reviews consistently praise the experience as a culinary journey and a form of art.²² Customers frequently highlight the phenomenal service, the exquisite ingredients, the passion of the staff, and the feeling that time slows down during the multi-hour, intimate event.²³ Some have noted the high price point and the commitment required for the long dining experience.

   

Location and Contact Information