The entrance looks like a true Japanese tavern!

We were guests of the owner, Michelle for her soft opening of Izakaya Tori last night, her newest Japanese/ Sushi restaurant! They are located at 310 S Dale Mabry Hwy #160, Tampa, FL 33609 in the same strip mall as Blow Bar, across Dale Mabry from LA Fitness. Michelle and her partner also own Ichiban Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar off of Fowler by USF.

The front service counter as you enter inside this welcoming new restaurant! They also provide hand sanitizer!
The samurai warrior costume display, and quite the attention grabber. We noticed everyone stopping to pose for a picture with it!

Izakaya Tori is a new, unique Japanese tapas bar in South Tampa. You immediately feel that as soon as you pull up in front of the restaurant. The entrance looks like a true Japanese tavern! And that warm welcome you feel as soon as you step through the front door is so inviting! The restaurant posted on their FB that they are an authentic Japanese restaurant similar to what you would find in Japan… Although I’ve never been to Japan, I did feel like I was eating abroad. I also loved their eclectic dishes, sauce bowls and tea cups. They were whimsical and reminiscent of classic Japanese hand crafted pottery!

Robustly flavorful, simple salad of cucumber and tomato in a soy vinaigrette.
The Geso (fried octopus) starter.
The pan seared Gyoza starter. And a cup of hot green tea, perfect drink for this satisfying meal!

My friend Ammee joined me last night, she’s the sushi and fish eater! I am not a seafood fan. She was anticipating this new restaurant all week long! We both had hot green tea and the most gratifying cucumber and tomato salad in a soy vinaigrette to start!! Ammee started with the Geso (fried octopus) and had a few sushi rolls; the Dynamite roll, the Fancy Special and a surprise house roll with yellowtail and avocado! All accompanied by eel sauce. I don’t eat sushi (obviously) but I enjoyed a veggie roll. I also had the Gyoza, the Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, NY Strip and Chicken Breast Skewers… They were magnificent! They were cooked perfectly and full of impactful flavor! Izakaya Tori also serves ramen, several types of sushi and a huge selection of Japanese skewers. If you enjoy adult beverages, they serve sake, tap beers, Japanese craft beer and cocktails.

The Dynamite roll and NY Strip skewer.
The bacon wrapped asparagus skewer.

The service was top notch and the staff and sushi chefs were all masked in a super clean restaurant. The decor makes you feel like you were in an authentic Japanese tavern. Michelle and her staff made us feel like VIP guests. We had a great evening and enjoyed some pretty amazing food at South Tampa’s newest Japanese/ sushi restaurant!

The special house roll with cooked yellowtail snapper and avocado.
The cucumber and avocado veggie roll.

There hours of lunch and dinner service are :
Monday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Tuesday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Wednesday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Thursday:11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Friday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10:00pm
Saturday: 4pm-10pm
Closed on Sunday.

Be sure to check out their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Tapas-Bar—Restaurant/Izakaya-Tori-100423231750870/ for more details and menu updates!

This wooden bear carving reminded me of my father and I instantly felt peace when I looked at it! It was very foretelling of my dining experience!

Bon Appetit

Rachel

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