Yamasaki, which opened late last year in Neptune Beach, serves traditional Japanese multi-course meals in an upscale setting.
Known as Kaiseki, the progression of dishes are prepared combining taste, textures and appearance. It depends on the freshest of ingredients.
Owner Benny Chen, 40, spent $1.2 million to build-out the restaurant and bar at 556 Atlantic Blvd.
It is in the former Kmart shopping center behind Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
Chen also owns iNoodle Ramen & Dumpling, 880 A1A N. Ponte Vedra Beach.
The restaurant opened a week before Christmas. He is counting on social media and word of mouth to help customers find him.
“We built this place from scratch. So it took a while. A lot of people have been waiting for it,” he said.
Much of Chen’s sushi product comes from Japan. He imports bluefin tuna. What he doesn’t import, he buys from local producers, he said.
There are three appetizer menus. One features more recognizable items like calamari, Japanese spring roll and edamame. There is a sushi appetizer menu and a more upscale Special Kitchen Appetizers menu.
The sushi bar entree list offers 14 signature rolls and three levels of Omakase, which are created at sushi chef’s discretion. The Omakase menu prices range from $60 to $80.
Vegetable, raw and cooked rolls range from $7 to $12.
Diners can create their own lunch box for $21.
There is dining at the sushi bar, dining room and liquor bar. The restaurant seats about 150. There are 16 seats on the patio.
The bar specializes in high-end sake and whiskey imported from Japan.
Chen has 14 employees including some who also work at iNoodle Ramen & Dumpling.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. The lunch special is any two rolls from the 17-item lunch menu for $15 and three rolls for $18.