If you’re an Asian cuisine lover, either you’ve mastered the art of using chopsticks or you’ve perfected the process of pretending to give it a go and then reaching for your fork. No judgment here! Regardless of your skill level, Celebration Pointe has two great new Asian dining restaurants, Sensei Asian Bistro (coming soon) and Hana Sushi & Asian Cuisine, where you can practice all you want!
Asian food is delicious no matter how you eat it, so definitely don’t wait to eat your delightful food while you wrestle with new utensils. However, if you want to learn a new skill that will elevate your experience of Asian cuisine—and possibly impress your friends—this step-by-step guide is a great starting point.
Some foods, like pieces of chicken and sushi, will be easier to eat with chopsticks. So you can start there and work your way up to foods like noodles and rice, which may take more practice to wrangle. Just remember: everyone starts somewhere! We’re sure that Sensei Asian Bistro and Hana Sushi would love for you to come test your skills in their brand-new spaces.
Featuring a blend of classic and modern Asian flavors in a sophisticated setting, Sensei Asian Bistro is slated to open this year. The concept offers craft sake, sushi, classic Chinese entrees, Thai curries and many more dishes perfected by Sensei’s founder who immediately began pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a chef and restaurateur after graduating from Beijing’s New East Cuisine School.
Their menu showcases the highest-quality ingredients from local markets and farms in entrees like miso-glazed black cod and sous vide-cooked crispy beef, as well as classic sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri. Once Sensei Asian Bistro’s doors officially open, be sure to sharpen your chopsticks at what will soon be the newest Asian restaurant in Gainesville.
While you’re waiting for Sensei to open, Hana Sushi is the perfect place to hone your new utensil skills. Operated by the owners of Liquid Ginger in Downtown Gainesville, this restaurant has a unique Asian-fusion menu filled with house specialties and cocktails from the full bar. From sashimi and nigiri to classic and signature rolls, sushi is their specialty. You can’t go wrong.
But if you want to embrace the full Asian cuisine experience, you’ll want to pair a roll or two with one of Hana Sushi’s delicious entrees. Looking for lo mein and stir fry dishes? They’ve got ‘em. Prefer hibachi-style? Select a meat and enjoy your soup and salad accompaniments. Or choose from curry, teriyaki and tempura dishes if one of those is your go-to. They have it all. And for those of us who spend a lot of time shopping and relaxing at Celebration Pointe, we’re so glad we can walk there!
If you’re looking to simultaneously up your chopsticks game and elevate your dining experience, visit Hana Sushi at Celebration Pointe today. And once Sensei Asian Bistro opens later this year, two of the best Asian restaurants in Gainesville will be within walking distance of our Promenade, where you can relax or catch one of our monthly concerts. We can’t wait, and we hope to see you there soon!
If you know you’ll always be a fork-and-knife person, that’s OK! Chopsticks can be intimidating, and they certainly aren’t mandatory. Don’t pass up the opportunity to eat at these incredible establishments right in your backyard. And if you are committed to becoming a chopsticks master, we believe in you. Just keep practicing!
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