New Concept Debuts Aug. 19 in Tourist Corridor Nomikai by Sushi Saint will begin its soft opening on Aug. 19 at ICON Park in Orlando, marking Michelin-starred Chef Michael Collantes' most ambitious dining concept to date. The restaurant brings Japanese-inspired cuisine and a shareable-plates format to International Drive, targeting both locals and visitors. Collantes and his 86 Hospitality group—which operates Michelin-starred Soseki Omakase, Perla's Pizza, and Bib Gourmand-awarded Sushi Saint—designed Nomikai around the Japanese tradition of social gathering. The name itself derives from a Japanese word for a celebratory dinner.
Menu and Beverage Program The menu blends raw preparations Collantes is known for with premium proteins and large-format dishes. Offerings include salmon aguachile, hamachi truffle potato, traditional sushi rolls, and an omakase platter, alongside koji-marinated dry-aged tomahawks, bone-in ribeye, miso King salmon, and lobster noodles. A bespoke cocktail program complements the food offerings with comparable attention to detail.
Design and Atmosphere The 120-seat space features what Collantes describes as a "Tokyo neo-cyberpunk" aesthetic, with neon blues and purples, original artwork, and a dark, moody atmosphere set to electronica, house, and lounge music. The design intentionally maintains an intimate feel while creating an energetic setting for dinner and celebrations. Collantes positioned the concept as a statement about local operators in the tourist space: "This is what the local guys are doing in the tourist space." ICON Park President and CEO Chris Jaskiewicz said in a statement: "Nomikai is exactly the type of experience we're proud to bring to ICON Park. Chef Michael Collantes has created a restaurant that's as memorable for its atmosphere as it is for its cuisine. As ICON Park continues to grow as Orlando's premier destination for dining and entertainment, Nomikai gives our guests another compelling reason to gather, celebrate and experience something new."
Hours and Reservations The restaurant is located at 8371 International Drive, Suite 60.
Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 5–10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5–11 p.m., and Sunday 5–9 p.m. Reservations are available through OpenTable. Complimentary valet parking is offered on the first floor of ICON Park's parking garage.
Why It Matters
For operators on International Drive, Nomikai signals the trend of chef-driven, locally-owned concepts competing in high-traffic tourist zones. The shareable-plates format, premium protein focus, and craft cocktail program reflect evolving diner expectations for elevated casual dining—a model that may influence competing venues in the corridor.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
