Friday, January 20, 2012

The Discriminating Diner visits Origami



I've dined at Origami many times over the years and not having been there in several months ventured in on a weeknight recently and had an excellent dinner with a companion. The owner was there as usual with a friendly and welcoming smile. The Restaurant has a pleasant, warm and comfortable decor and everything including the restrooms are spotless. Our smiling waitress was efficient and eager to make suggestions from a menu that covers a wide range of choices from Sushi, Teriyaki, Tempura and even Korean Barbecue which is something difficult to find in Southwest Florida. As to her recommendation we ordered the Shrimp Roll to share as an appetizer, The Roast Half Duck and A Bento Box which consists of a choice of two main courses on one plate served with rice, miso or clear soup and a house salad.

The Shrimp Roll was freshly made to order rolled with nori and avocado with a whole batter fried shrimp in the center. It was delicious and perfect with shaved slices of fresh ginger and wasabi as an accompaniment. 

My dining partner's Roast Duck was absolutely delicious. It was a half duck roasted to perfection with a citrus soy glaze. The skin was semi-crispy and the glaze complimented the duck perfectly. Duck is a fatty meat and is tricky to cook properly but this one had the right amount of fat rendered from it without being dry. It was moist without being overly laden with fat and served over a mound of garlic mashed potatoes which we thought an odd starch in an Asian Restaurant but nonetheless very good.

The Bento Box I selected was served with Chicken Bulgogi and Shrimp Tempura and was accompanied by white rice. The Chicken Bulgogi is thin slices of chicken in a sauce of soy, garlic and green onions. It was moist and flavorful and not the usual chicken dish. The Shrimp Tempura was perfect. Four jumbo shrimp with a variety of vegetables that included sweet potato, onion and broccoli with a tempura crust that was not overly greasy were served with a citrus/soy dipping sauce; traditional and done just right.   

My dining partner had the clear soup and I had the miso soup.  They were hot and just as they should be. The salad with ginger dressing was basic lettuce and shredded carrots but there is something about that dressing that hits the taste buds just right. Service throughout was nicely paced. We never felt ignored but our server was there if we needed anything.

They also have a separate sushi bar and liquor bar for patrons. Origami will definitely stay on my list of Restaurants when in need of some warm hospitality and excellent food.

Origami
Korean (BBQ) Japanese, Sushi Restaurant
13300 S Cleveland Ave
Cypress Trace
Fort Myers Fl 33907  


Origami on Urbanspoon

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