By Jim Carchidi
June 15, 2026
Chef Michael Collantes is expanding his culinary footprint into the heart of I-Drive with a new take on his celebrated hand roll concept, Sushi Saint. Nomikai by Sushi Saint will open this summer at Icon Park with a dual menu of raw preparations and grilled steaks.
A new star in the making
The high menu standards and unique social experiences of Soseki and Perla's Pizza will be carried forward at Nomikai by Sushi Saint. Images courtesy of 86 Hospitality
Collantes and his restaurant group, 86 Hospitality, have fostered success through unconventional approaches. Michelin-starred Soseki Modern Omakase blends a traditional Japanese multi-course experience with nontraditional ingredients like locally-sourced cheeses. The popular Perla's Pizza combines a vinyl record cocktail bar with an off-the-wall pizza menu that includes a banana-topped pie.
Sushi Saint's made-to-order hand rolls will be featured at the Icon Park venue with a menu of steakhouse favorites.
Collantes debuted Bib Gourmand-winning Sushi Saint at Orlando’s Creative Village in 2023. He followed up earlier this year with a Winter Park location next door to Soseki. Its chef-driven experiences include an intimate lounge and a 12-seat temaki (hand roll) bar with made-to-order raw creations wrapped in crispy seaweed. The Icon Park iteration will bring the same raw selections with an expanded menu of dry-aged and koji-marinated steaks. Additional seafood selections will include branzino, miso king salmon, and lobster noodles.
Attitude and flavor
Renderings show the bench seating, tables, bar arrangements, and neon highlights of Nomikai by Sushi Saint.
“Nomikai” are traditional Japanese social gatherings focused on building relationships over food and drinks. The limited seating and one-on-one interactions of the 86 Hospitality lineup will exist at Icon Park, along with room for a few more diners to bring the nomikai concept forward. "This is what the local guys are doing in the tourist space," Collantes said.
He describes the 60-seat interior as "Tokyo neo-cyberpunk" with its neon color pallet, moody atmosphere, and a soundtrack of electronica and house music.
"Coming from 10- to 30-seat restaurants, this is my big restaurant," says Collantes. "But we still want intimacy. We want storytelling."
Nomikai by Sushi Saint is slated for a late-summer opening at 8371 International Drive, Suite 60. Updates will be posted on Sushi Saint and Icon Park social media.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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