My son recently came to visit me in Florida during his spring break. He’s a freshman in college in the Midwest and was looking for warmer weather when we booked the trip. I should’ve known one of his motivations in coming to the coast was also to enjoy the fresh ingredients in one of his favorite meals: sushi.
My son was introduced to sushi at an early age, and it stuck. For years we celebrated birthdays, good report cards and gotcha-days with meals of sushi. (Every once in a while, a Facebook memory photo pops up to prove it!)
Lucky for him, there’s no shortage of sushi to choose from in Sarasota. For this trip we landed at two different restaurants: JPan Shushi and Grill and Drunken Poet Café.
JPAN SUSHI AND GRILL
JPan has two different locations in Sarasota, and we chose the one on Tamiami, near the shops on Siesta Row. Although the atmosphere at University Town Center is a bit chic-er, the food was still on point.
My son started with the Aloha Roll with shrimp, mango and coconut flakes; a traditional spider roll; and an Oishi roll. The Oishi roll was the most interesting—served with no rice, it’s shrimp tempura wrapped in salmon and tuna, then topped with baked krab salad, green onions and roe. I enjoyed a few bites here and there, knowing we were likely to see a second round. After my son cleaned his plate, we then ordered a Mexican Deluxe Roll with spicy tuna and fresh jalapeños and an Origami Roll with cream cheese, avocado and spicy tuna. A strong start for our sushi adventure.
DRUNKEN POET
Located in downtown Sarasota, Drunken Poet isn’t your typical sushi joint. Celebrating more authentic Thai flavors and a bookish, professorial, dark-academia vibe, Drunken Poet has been a Sarasota staple for 17 years. I’d only been once before and I hadn’t enjoyed the sushi on my previous visit, so we booked a reservation and waited to see what would come of the evening.
We started with an appetizer of shumai (stuffed ground pork with mushrooms, water chestnuts and scallions). Then I ordered the yellow curry with chicken while my son ordered three different sushi rolls.
I’d read reviews about the Sexy Man roll and encouraged him to try it. He also landed on a Super Crab roll with snow crab, cucumber and spicy mayo, along with a Fruitville roll offering mango, scallop, white fish and avocado.
By far the winner of the evening was the Sexy Man roll with tempura eel, tuna, avocado and “sexy sauce.” I believe my son was heard saying, “Next time, it’s three Sexy Man rolls for me,” and I agree! The tempura eel had almost a bacon-like quality to it, causing the whole roll to melt in my mouth, dripping with flavor.
Apparently, introducing sushi to my son all those years ago was a tradition we didn’t know we were beginning. Since his very first bite, it’s been nothing but smiles and a desire for more. Lucky for me, it’s a tradition we can continue for years to come.
— Carrie Cox, account executive
Read This Next
Tauck to Launch New Riverboats in France
December 2024
Dec 22, 2024Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDecember 2024
Dec 22, 2024Tauck to Launch New Riverboats in France
Leading guided travel brand Tauck welcomes two new riverboats in France in spring 2026. Set to sail the Rhône and Seine, these two ships, yet to be named, will launch following construction in 2025 in Serbia and the Netherlands.
Sponsored Content
A Word with Nat Pieper, oneworld CEO
Name: Nat Pieper Title: CEO at oneworld City: Dallas, Texas First job: Stadium vendor
Airlines
Dec 21, 2024Finnair Boosts U.S. Schedule to Finland
Finnair will boast its largest-ever U.S. schedule to Finland in 2025. Starting March 30, the airline’s popular route to Los Angeles (LAX) will increase from three times per week to five times per week. Additionally, Finnair will offer daily flights from Chicago (ORD) next summer, an increase from the five weekly flights currently on offer.
Daily
Dec 20, 2024Travel Platform Makes for Easier Access to Indonesian Islands
The more than 17,000 islands comprising the tropical country of Indonesia have just become more accessible thanks to new journeys on offer from travel platform Timbuktu. From logistics to curated experiences, Timbuktu’s team of travel professionals can arrange memorable experiences that range from Komodo dragon encounters to hiking along paths on active volcanoes.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Daily
Dec 20, 2024Last-Minute Holiday Happenings at Sofitel New York
Add Sofitel New York to the list of New York City’s must-see holiday hotels. Decked with all the holiday trimmings, the hotel is offering iconic New York City holiday experiences.
A Word with Nat Pieper, oneworld CEO
Sponsored Content
British Airways Unveils Brand-New First Class
Daily
Dec 19, 2024Palm House Opens in Palm Beach
Daily
Dec 18, 2024December 2024
Dec 18, 2024Stroll the Captivating Barrios of the Chilean Capital
Santiago is divided into comunas (districts) and then into barrios (neighborhoods). Founded in 1541 by Spain, Santiago suffered repeatedly from earthquakes, floods and civil disorder. It is no wonder its barrios are unique and distinct — some with steep terrain crawling up into the foothills of the Andes, some sitting close to the urban center and boasting busy cafés, music clubs, restaurants, food markets, and new residential and commercial high-rises.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Relaunches Direct Casablanca–Beijing Route, Debuts Toronto Flight
As part of its international network expansion, Royal Air Maroc will reinstate the direct Casablanca–Beijing route initially launched in January 2020 and suspended just a few weeks later due to the health crisis.
Daily
Dec 18, 2024Italy’s Grand Hotel Fasano to Reopen with New Amenities
Situated on Italy’s Lake Garda, Grand Hotel Fasano reopens in April 2025 with a host of new offerings for guests. Formerly a 19th-century hunting lodge, this hotel is ideally positioned between Venice, Milan and Verona.
ShareThis