Lotus Noodle Bar — Restaurant in Florida

Tucked one lot over from the Village Inn in a humble, unassuming house exists the home of one of the best meals I've ever had.

I've wanted to come here since they opened and my birthday celebration was the perfect opportunity. Be sure to make reservations! This isn't a walk-in place. Parking was ample, although I can see it becoming tight depending on how crowded they get.

The interior was pleasant and well-done, subtle yet comfortable. We were seated immediately and Kirsten introduced herself as our server. She provided wonderful service throughout the meal, whisking used dishes away while keeping waters full, being attentive without being overbearing. She did not rush us in any way and we were able to order appetizers and enjoy them before putting in our entrees.

Like a kid in a candy shop, I ordered three appetizers to share. We had the Sweet and Spicy Sunomono, The Bloom buns, and the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo. All were an amazing combination of flavors in their own rights. Chef Barry himself served the Scallop Crudo and it was a great experience to have the opportunity to meet him.

The Bloom buns were the absolute best buns I've ever tasted, served warm with a side of sweet kimchi butter that I wanted to eat by itself, a far better option to the proverbial bread baskets served in other restaurants.

The Sunomono were refreshing and exciting, and I loved the crunchy contrast of the cashews.

The Scallop Crudo's scallops were from Japan and served raw, which took us all off guard, yet we devoured it. Served cold with the creamy accompaniments and razor thin sliced truffles, it is a wonderful start to what was coming next.

On to the main course. My wife had the Banchan served with lettuce leaves for wrapping. The pork belly was phenomenal. The kids both had the Sweet Soy Braised Brisket ramen and devoured it. I selected the Spicy Tan Tan ramen with spicy ground pork in a sesame sichuan-coconut broth and could not have been more pleased with the depth of flavors. The spice was perfect for me, making my forehead sweat without burning off my tongue. At one point I thought to save half for lunch the next day but that proved to be beyond my self-control and I finished it all, including the perfectly prepared soft egg.

Side tip we learned -- there are two dishes that end in "Mazeman" and both of these are not in broth. Their noodles are mixed in a sauce instead.

We couldn't leave without sharing the two dessert options. There was a Hot Cocoa and Donuts which comes with two cups of the cocoa, and Kusaki, a chocolate miso crumble cake that was beyond amazing. You need to dig your spoon all the way to the bottom as it is prepared in layers, each one better than the next.

There is also a nice assortment of Japanese beers, saki, and cocktails available.

Lotus Noodle Bar is a blessing and gem to have in our area, and I highly recommend trying it if you enjoy ramen or just delicious food in general. I can't...

Please pick up the phone and make a reservation right now…You’ll thank me.

Lotus Noodle Bar not only delivers incredibly delicious and innovative food they do it all in a tiny kitchen space that would scare most people away. The only way this is possible is with a team that works symbiotically together. As the chef delegates duties and oversees every little detail…the dance begins. The food which I will get to in a minute is stellar.. Chef Barry has created an atmosphere of respect and genuine caring. It almost feels like you are being fed by your doting grandmother. This crew truly does care about your experience and goes way above most. Sitting, facing the open kitchen, we got to see the seamless dance from order, to prep, to plating. Now for the food: Tuna Sashimi - just try it, you won’t be disappointed. This is nothing like the usual tuna…it is laced in a tomato ponzu that seems to take it to new heights. Banchan/Pork Belly - a melt in your mouth wonder and the little side dishes were so perfectly paired…I loved the little lettuce leaves as wraps…they added a perfect crunch and allowed the many flavors to come through loud and clear. We had two different ramen bowls. The Spicy Duck Tan Tan and the Garlic Noodle Mazemen. They were on two ends of the spectrum. The duck with its spicy kick swimming in coconut broth was so packed with flavors…it was a mouth explosion that had us tilting the bowl at the end to get every last drop. The Garlic Noodle Mazemen with delicate blue crab and the koji-butter was like a warm kiss…it's like hot velvet on your tongue and the togarashi had a hint of spice, having you longing for more. Of course we had dessert. We ended the evening with the Panna Cotta Brulee …the presentation in a wooden bowl set us up for a wonderful surprise. Don’t be fooled ..this is not like anything you’ve had before. The creaminess infused with the taste of peaches and sake, topped with a crunch of sesame seeds was the perfect ending. The drinks coming from the bar were pieces of artwork. The service was impeccable. Being a retired restaurant owner/ chef I can be quite picky. Lotus Noodle Bar exceeded all my expectations and then some. One last note…this is the cleanest restaurant...

It was my husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary this Thursday so we decided to go to our favorite local vacation spot (St. Auggie) and plan a dinner date nearby. Lotus had excellent reviews so we made a reservation for 7pm on their booking app Resly (credit card required in case of cancelations). We almost missed the restaurant since it's hidden behind a hotel (Lodge Inn) and the Lotus signage is on the smaller side than we're used to. The parking lot is limited to about 8 to 10 vehicles, so it's nice that we got there when there was a lull before the dinner crowd. The location appears to be a 2 story home with the 1st floor and patio designated as the restaurant.

Luckily, there was only1 table occupied when we arrived, so we had a lovely time with the place almost to ourselves until mid-meal when another few groups of guests arrived (2 couples, about 4 friends, and 1 family of 5).

The friendly, cute blonde who was the hostess was the same person who took our order. For drinks - I had the sake mule cocktail, my husband had a ginger beer, for entrees - I had the lobster & noodles, my husband had the Bloom with well-done egg. The chef took a moment to check on my allergies (which was super considerate) and the food arrived about 15 minutes later. The lobster&noodles that I ordered was delightful - lobster was soft (not chewy) and the noodles were just the right firmness with a good amount of flavor. My husband said his steamed buns tasted great, the eggs had amazing spice, and the honey butter was very good.

The ambiance of the dining area is nice as long as you're ok with a somewhat smaller space between tables (around 4 feet). There is patio/outdoor dining for people who prefer the open air and there is also counter seating for those who want the real "bar" experience. The restroom is single occupancy - spacious and clean.

All in all, I'd give this place a solid 5 stars. We picked a winner for date night! Thanks for a terrific foodie...