Zōtō — Restaurant in Sarasota

You won’t be disappointed if you give Zoto a try! We went during the soft opening, and only have great things to say.

Food: The quality of the fish they served was incredible. They bring it all in fresh from Japan and offer a rotating selection of unique fishes. We tried Rockfish, Beltfish, Anago, Baby Sea Bream, and more! Most sushi places in the area offer only the most basic fish options, and it’s typically not as high quality: Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, etc. At Zoto you can try new fish and do some foodie exploration in addition to enjoying your favorites! The rice was expertly made and perfectly complemented the high quality of the fish. I have a gluten allergy and was delighted that I could safely eat most dishes on the soft opening menu—even the eel!! I’ve never had gluten free eel, so that was a huge treat for me. Definitely recommend trying the Anaconda roll.

Drinks: Only mocktails were available when we went, as the liquor license had not been obtained. The lychee mocktail we had was absolutely delicious and we would highly recommend it. The Beverage director was awesome and we can tell that they will have an incredible list of drinks to complement the food.

Service: The service was very good. They really try to accommodate requests of their guests, and are very attentive. I have a gluten allergy and felt well taken care of. They even made me tea that I requested, even though it wasn’t on the menu.

Overall, I definitely recommend trying this place out if you are a true...

Honest Review – Zōtō Sarasota

I opted in for Zōtō’s soft opening at UTC, knowing about it months in advance, and wanted to share my experience as a special needs patron with autism and epilepsy.

Environment: The restaurant has a sleek, moody atmosphere with dim lighting. It wasn’t strobe-like or overwhelming, but some may find it darker than expected. The bar area is livelier, while seating further inside or outdoors is calmer and better for low-stimulation dining.

Food: I tried the crab fried rice, a Yuzu drink, and sashimi.

The crab fried rice was flavorful but mild enough to be sensory-friendly, with a good balance of flavors. The sashimi was very fresh with a clean texture, served simply without heavy sauces. The Yuzu drink was tangy and refreshing, citrus-forward and not too sweet, though the sharpness may be strong for some.

Staff: The team was amazing and accommodating, especially when it came to alternative options for soy allergies. They were knowledgeable, attentive, and thoughtful, which made the experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Overall: The food was well-prepared and beautifully presented. As a special needs patron, I found it approachable and enjoyable, and I hope this helps my fellow autistic diners decide if it might...

Last week at Zōtō (soft opening menu). Not one thing disappointed! From the service to the sushi - everything was on point. This place is a refreshing upgrade of our former local Asian-fare favorite, Kojo.

The toro selection was buttery and delicate. We ordered one of every roll and had a hard time ranking best to “worst”. The spicy tuna roll captured the perfection of simplicity to a T. Talk about freshness! Even the accoutrements tasted as if they came straight from the garden. The edamame was garlicky and tender and the green beans were nutty and toothsome. Although the menu was selective, it had something for the cuisine connoisseurs to those with a more reserved palate. Lucky for us they got their liquor license the day before so were able to enjoy some well rounded cocktails, too.

The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Camila provided excellent service! Moody atmosphere with upbeat music. Food came out like clockwork and was presented Instragram-worthy with every dish. The entire team did not skip a beat.

We cannot wait to return and see their full menu. This place is going to make a lasting impression at UTC. They will become the go-to sushi joint in the area - mark my words!

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