After Filipino chef Tim Flores and his wife Genie Kwon snagged a Michelin star in April for their Chicago restaurant Kasama (the world’s first Filipino restaurant to earn the rating), chef Mike Collantes, chef-owner of 10-seater omakase joint Soseki, located in Orlando, Florida, has now been added to the growing list of Filipinos awarded the prestigious culinary distinction.
“What an honor it is to be recognized by our peers and Michelin. We want to say a heartfelt thank you to every guest who has come through our doors and continue to support what we have done in just one short year of opening,” Soseki wrote on its Instagram page. “Thank you to our amazing partners, producers, growers and vendors who continue to work so closely with our team and vision. This award is a testament of a community coming together and displaying their passion and talent.”
The restaurant offers an “intimate 10-seat multi-course dining experience featuring a modern take on omakase” and highlights fresh produce from Florida.
“This tiny operation with Chef Mike Collantes at the helm is an ideal illustration of a contemporary meal expressed by way of an omakase. Diners should make their way down a hallway to arrive at the glorious space, outfitted with dark walls, sleek wood floors and a counter armed with ten plush seats,” the Michelin guide wrote.
“A laser-like focus on local Florida produce results in a menu that changes monthly. As a result, guests are likely to experience a new culinary theme each time they visit. If you’re lucky, sample the “Scandinavian-style” sashimi, entailing salmon that’s cured like gravlax and arranged with smoked mozzarella. The dish may sound busy, but each element unites so seamlessly and displays that desired balance between complexity and creativity.”
In addition to his newly Michelin-starred restaurant, Collantes also runs Taglish, a Filipino-American fast-casual joint, as well as the Kamayan Supper Club, which offers a traditional Filipino eat-with-your-hands experience for private groups.
READ: Chicago’s Kasama is first Filipino-themed restaurant to earn a Michelin star
