This is going to be a bit different then the usual fare offered in this space. Motorsports Editor Godwin Kelly and his wife, Diane, have been to KoKoRo Sushi Bar & Japanese Bistro several times and are enchanted by the menu, food and presentation. This is more like a love story.
A love story? You mean the way you love to stuff your face?
Of course, but there's more to KoKoRo than just a brilliant menu served by an energetic wait staff in comfortable, clean surroundings. This is also about the couple who own this culinary oasis.
OK, I'll bite. Can you tell me more?
Tomohiro Inoue was working at a Daytona Beach sushi restaurant where he met his future wife, Siri, who was a server at the same establishment. Tomohiro, 41, is from Ehima, Japan, while Siri, 33, hails from Bangkok, Thailand. After they married, they started their own place in Palm Coast.
I bet you have something cute to say about them, don't you?
The first time we dined there, I asked if they had children. Siri raised her arms and looked around the dining area and said, "No time for children. This is our baby." (It's OK to make that little sigh sound. Nobody is listening.)
Anything else you want to get out of your system before you actually talk about the dining experience?
As previously stated, Tomohiro, the executive chef, is from Japan and Siri, general manager, is from Thailand. Neither can speak the other's native language, so they must communicate in English, which they are still learning. Isn't that just adorable?
Enough of these personal morsels. Can we hear about the food?
They describe the menu as "quality authentic and modern Japanese cuisines" and they deliver on that promise. For starters, KoKoRo has a sushi selection list longer than most restaurant menus. There are some crazy-sounding entries, such as the Bloody Geisha Roll, Dragon Roll and Fire Snapper Roll, but so far, everything we have ordered has been wonderful.
In every case, do you know exactly what you have eaten?
No. I believe the Dragon Roll is still a delightful mystery.
We all know you are a sushi hound. What about the primary menu?
KoKoRo's signature dinners are something to behold. The last time out Diane got the filet mignon and shrimp combination, served on a chunk of volcanic rock that has been heated to 700 degrees. The server tosses a wee bit of brandy on the entree, there's a splash of fire, and you're off to the races. The food cooks right there in front of you at the table. It is crazy good. Curl-your-toes good.
And you topped it off with?
Dessert, of course. The house specialty is an entry called "chocolate lava." It is warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, chocolate and raspberry sauces. This is the funny part. I thought I was too full for dessert. Diane ordered it and I gobbled most of it up. I know you are surprised.
When Nicole, your server, brought the bill, what was the damage?
First, Nicole was delightful. The dinner for two with dessert and some alcoholic beverages was $73 including a little something for Nicole.
KoKoRo Sushi Bar and Japanese Bistro
WHERE: Palm Harbor Shopping Village, 246 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast
ACCESSIBILITY: Plenty of parking. Easily accessible.
HOURS: 5 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
THIS AND THAT: Credit cards accepted. Wine and beer available. Check Web site for specials and promotions.
WEB SITE: kokorosushibar.com
PHONE: 386-445-9259
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