New Menu, New Name, Same Great Vision
St. Petersburg, Florida
Cuisine Style: Asian Fusion
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 4/5
Dined in: December 2018
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Saké 23 Zomato rating:
Saké 23 Executive Chef:
Lan Mai
Saké 23 formally Souzou Asian Kitchen is a contemporary twist to an Asian restaurant offering Japanese Izakaya style cuisine with other Asian fusion styles plus sushi and an impressive saké list. They also offer craft beers, wines, and cocktail lists of Japanese whiskey, Pan Pacific style martini’s, modern cocktails of the Orient, flights, and infusions. Souzou Asian Kitchen was purchased by the 23 Restaurant Services group and became Saké 23. Other restaurants in their group include Ford’s Garage, Yeoman’s Cask and Lion, and the Tiki Docks restaurant.
The origin of sake is unclear, though it can be traced as far back as 4,000 BCE long before the originally believed start during the Yayoi period (300 CE-250 CE) when rice cultivation was brought from China to Japan. The earliest reference to the use of alcohol in Japan is recorded in the Book of Wei in the Records of the Three Kingdoms according to Culture Trip. This 3rd-century Chinese text speaks of Japanese drinking and dancing. Sake, also referred to as Japanese rice wine, is made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Unlike wine produced by fermenting sugar that is naturally present in fruit, sake is produced by a brewing process similar to beer, where starch is converted into sugars which ferment into alcohol. According to Sake 101, there are roughly 70 different sake brewing rice types and like wine, there are categories of sake. Today, sake has become a world beverage with a few breweries springing up in China, Southeast Asia, South America, North America, and Australia.
As my wife and I entered the restaurant, there had been some small changes in color and decor, but otherwise, it was the same setup from eight months earlier when Saké 23 was Souzou. As last time we sat at the bar near the sushi preparation station and looked over the new menu items.
Saké 23 Menu:
- First Tastes
- Soups + Salads
- Bento Boxes
- Sushi
- Special Sashimi
- Sushi Love Boats
- Minor Rolls
- Major Rolls
- Ramen
- Rice
- Saké 23 Plates
- Sides
- Sweets
My wife started with a glass of the Los Dos Rosé which is Spanish for "both" or "the two" and produced by Bodegas Borsao. Campo de Borja D.O. is located in the Aragon region, nestled against the Pyrenées Mountains. Grenache (85%) joins Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) in this crisp and lush Rosé both elegant and lively on the palate with flavors of fresh raspberry, lychee fruit, and white flowers. Fresh with a silky mouthfeel and a long, lasting finish. I had a glass of the house sake for my meal. There are six commonly accepted sake categories, and the house sake is a Junmai, a Sake made up of water, koji mold, yeast and rice that has no milling requirement.
It was the Miso Monday special where all guests receive a free bowl to go with your entrees. The miso soup was loaded with shiitake mushrooms, topped with a few tofu croutons and some hijiki seaweed, garnished with fresh chives. Hijiki is a brown sea vegetable growing wild on rocky coastlines around Japan, Korea, and China. It has been a staple to the Japanese diet for over 2000 years. The soup was very aromatic, perfect temperature, lightly spiced and not overpowering. The shiitakes had a little rubbery texture, but that can be common for those types of mushrooms.
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| Saké 23 / Miso Soup |
While I enjoyed the miso my wife ordered the sweet & spicy tempura cauliflower from the first tastes appetizer section. They were presented on a small plate to a perfect golden brown color, and as a warning still piping hot from the fry oil, so give it a moment before you enjoy. The cauliflower was tossed in a light sriracha sauce and chive garnish. From the sweet tempura to the spiced sriracha, and the juicy flavor of the cauliflower itself, with this dish you had a variety of flavors on the palate.
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| Saké 23 / Tempura Cauliflower |
For entree’s my wife had the Pad Thai dish from the Saké 23 Plates section prepared with organic chicken topped with honey sriracha peanuts, a grapefruit nam pla fish sauce mixed with fresh herbs and a side of bean sprouts. Pad Thai is rated as one of the top 50 dishes in the world by CNN Travel in 2017 and Traveller Australia in 2015. The exact origins of Pad Thai or ‘Kway Teow Phat Thai’ as it is known in Thailand to remain contested according to Priconomics though it is commonly believed to have been introduced by Chinese traders, in the 1400s then modified over time to become a common street food.
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| Saké 23 / Pad Thai |
The Saké 23 has seventeen rolls on its menu from the minor to the major, and not including regular sushi or sashimi choices. I decided on the Category 5 major sushi roll filled with spicy tuna, cream cheese, and asparagus shaped into a ball with eight pieces and was topped with avocado, a soy-based kabayaki sauce that is similar in taste to teriyaki and used on many Japanese fish dishes. The Roll was finished with chili aioli and the house dynamite mix which is typically used on dynamite rolls which are very popular seafood rolls in many western sushi restaurants. From the first bite to the last the tuna was fresh, the cream cheese added sweet, refreshing avocado flavor, matched with natural sodium tastes of the kabayaki sauce, and a punch to open the sinus with the wasabi. Normally complexity in dishes is hard to describe, but for this dish, you have knocked around from one side to the other like being in the ring of a mixed martial arts fight with flavors. The presentation was built like a tower in three levels using the rule of odds with color and texture garnished with fish roe and scallions.
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| Saké 23 / Category 5 Roll |
Dessert:
We did not have dessert during this visit, but some items of interest on the menu include a green tea ice cream, assorted mochi, and a banana cheesecake roll.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
European Union:
Spain:
Other noteworthy Sushi, or Asian + Fusion Articles and restaurants similar to Saké 23:
Southeast Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. Eastern Asian region includes 7 countries in which China, Mongolia, and Japan are included.
Country cuisines from Eastern and the Southeastern area include:
Brunei, Cambodian, Chinese, East Timor, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Macau, Malay, Mongolian, Myanmar (aka Burmese), Philippine, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese
5A5 Steak Lounge Modern Japanese steakhouse with chic design in San Francisco, California
Ambrosia Japanese restaurant and saké bar with sushi in Key West, Florida
Basil Asian Bistro Pan-Asian favorites from China to Vietnam with sushi specials in Canton, Ohio
Chinatown Restaurant Classic Chinese dishes in Chinatown, San Francisco, California
Junsui An eclectic taste of Asia with buffets at the Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Kebaya Asian Brasserie Technology and taste with cuisine styles from Vietnam, Thai, and China at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
Morimoto Asia Japanese and upscale pan-Asian fare with sushi at Disney Springs Orlando, Florida
Norovirus at the Olympics The South Korean 2018 winter games get hit with 1000+ cases of this foodborne illness.
Pho Pier 77 A casual spot for classic Vietnamese favorites away from the tourist traps in Panama City, Florida
Rock 'N' Raw Asian restaurant with sushi at the Hard Rock Casino, Tampa, Florida
Sushi Sleek Japanese eatery with sushi and sashimi at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, UAE
Tetsuya’s Eclectic French-Asian tasting menu restaurant in Sydney, Australia
Wat Mongkolratanaram A Thai / Asian market eatery and a Buddhist temple on the banks of the Palm River in Tampa, Florida
Zuma Contemporary Japanese restaurant, sushi, and cocktail mixology in Dubai, UAE
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St Petersburg restaurants, and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Innovative Finer Seafood and Raw Bar At the Sundial
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Lively Bar and Grill
At the Hollander Hotel
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Mexican Comfort Foods
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A few Florida restaurant favorites:
|
Chain eatery for creative pies
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes
Winter Park
|
Steakhouse restaurant on inlet offering Gulf views
Sarasota, Florida, USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Saké 23 a 4 out of 5 stars, meaning that they not only exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants, but they were just outstanding.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for Saké 23
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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11
|
11
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0
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Food quality
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11
|
9
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2
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Plate presentation
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10
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10
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0
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Customer service
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11
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8
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3
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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8
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2
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Total regular points awarded
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53
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46
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7
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.867924528301887
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“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
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1
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0188679245283019
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Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.886792452830189
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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4
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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4 of 5 Stars:
87% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Outstanding Dining Experience
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Saké 23 Wine rating:
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5 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Germany, Italy, Portugal
New World selections:
Argentina, California, Japan, New Zealand, Oregon
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Corkage fees:
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Saké 23 does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine Style at Saké 23:
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Asian, Asian-fusion, Cheese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Gluten-free choices, Local, Low Carb Choices, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, and Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Not Required, but Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Not accepted, Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Smart casual or Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s flip-flops!
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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Saké 23 Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, Lounge, Business parties, Romantic, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Public Lot
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Low to Medium
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Smoking:
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Saké 23 is a non-smoking restaurant with a non-smoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
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Yes
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€
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Alcohol prices:
$15.00 USD
Saké 23:
435 5th Ave N
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 727 823 4050
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Online reservations
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Website Contact:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Sun-Wed
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thur - Sat
11:00 am - 1:00 am
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for Saké 23:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Modern British cuisine in Art Deco Space
London, England, UK
|
Prohibition-themed New American cuisine Restaurant - password required
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Bistro w/Southern & Lowcountry cuisine
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
|
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
