BENTO Winter Garden — Restaurant in Winter Garden

A Letdown at Bento Sushi + Poke: A Review

My dining experience was far from what I had anticipated, and unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired. The establishment, which promotes itself as a purveyor of fine sushi, missed the mark on several fundamental aspects of a satisfying dining experience.

Customer Service: A Missed Opportunity for Engagement

One of the most glaring issues was the lack of customer service. In an era where dining is not just about food but the experience, they seemed to forget the basics of hospitality. Despite opting for self-service, there's an expectation of minimal interaction, especially in a setting where chefs and customers share the same space. The complete absence of engagement—no greetings, no acknowledgment, not even a simple 'thank you'—felt cold and unwelcoming. This oversight turned what could have been a warm, inviting dining experience into a transaction devoid of any personal touch.

Sushi Selection: A Surface Variety

The restaurant boasts a diverse sushi menu, but this claim doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Despite a seemingly extensive list of rolls, the variety is superficial at best. The options quickly reveal themselves to be variations on a very limited theme, fitting into just one or two categories. This lack of genuine variety is a significant disappointment for any sushi enthusiast looking to explore a range of flavors and textures.

Portion Size vs. Price: An Imbalance

The portion size of the rolls further compounds the issue. They are surprisingly small, particularly when you consider the premium pricing. This imbalance between the amount of food and the cost is jarring, making it difficult to justify the expense. Dining out, especially at a sushi restaurant, is expected to be a treat—a balance of quality, quantity, and cost and unfortunately fails to deliver on this front, which left me feeling short-changed.

Sushi Quality: An Unpleasant Surprise

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the meal was the sushi itself. The rice, arguably the cornerstone of any sushi roll, was flavored in an unconventional manner that was, frankly, off-putting. This unexpected taste overshadowed the quality of the ingredients, making the rolls difficult to enjoy. Sushi rice should enhance the flavor of the seafood and other components, not detract from it. This fundamental misstep in preparation was a significant detractor from the overall quality of the meal.

Conclusion: Unlikely to Return

Considering these factors—the stark lack of customer service, the illusion of variety, the poor value for money, and the disappointing quality of the sushi—I find it hard to recommend. The dining experience fell short of expectations on many levels, and with so many other options available, I see no reason to return. For those seeking a memorable sushi experience, it may be wise to look elsewhere, where the balance of quality, service, and value is better maintained. I hope they take this genuine feedback and make positive changes for a better dining experience...

Hey! So I gave this place a chance, twice! Just to be sure. First time I ordered it; all the sushi was extremely warm and when you got the bag before even opening it. It stank of rotten fish. It was! So I gave it a try a week later. I figured maybe it was a mistake. I try to give places the benefit of the doubt, but then again today. I received $50 in sushi only for it to be warm, falling apart with 0 structure of the rice. As well as smelling like horrific month old fish! It’s sad that they won’t listen or respond to phone calls about this as I paid again $55 exactly for rotten fish. It’s absolutely disgusting to smell and look at. I got the bento box which had California rolls (my favorite) and rainbow rolls, California rolls separate from the bento box. Again my favorite type of sushi and has little to no actual fish in it. But again. Warm, falling apart and the rice smelt like it was washed in dirty water. I also ordered beverages which both time were not included. $4 for a missing item two separate times. I don’t recommend this place. It’s a waste of money and will make your house smell like...

It was awful. I love the downtown Orlando location, so when I saw there was a location in Winter Garden I was excited to go.

The menu is extremely limited. There is no seating, and good luck finding a table at the end of the building by the brewery or outside (it was raining the day we went). I was told it would take 10-15 min to prep our food - it took 30. I ordered a signature bowl - it literally had 4 ingredients: about 3 cups of white rice, 4 large slices of cucumber, a few tiny pieces of avocado, and some spongy raw fish. The fish did not taste good and had a weird texture, so that left me with 3 ingredients.

I took my daughter and her friend. There were 3 of us. We each ordered a bowl and a drink. The total was over $75....