Review: Dragonfly Orlando Robata Grill & Sushi Lounge

Dragonfly Orlando FL Review - Krispy Krunch Roll|Dragonfly Robata Review: Orlando FL|Japanese Robata Grill at Dragonfly - Orlando FL|Japanese Robata Grill at Dragonfly - Orlando FL"Eats|Orlando"Tucked away in Orlando's Dellagio Plaza is Dragonfly Robata Grill and Sushi Lounge. This restaurant is an expansion of the popular local Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Co. in Gainesville FL.

The Orlando Dragonfly differs from their flagship restaurant in Gainesville by featuring a traditional Japanese robata grill. As I understand it robata loosely translates to "around the fireplace"; where food is cooked over Japanese binchō-tan charcoal. In old Japan a traditional charcoal-fired hearth was once found in every home. Dragonfly's Executive Chef Hideaki "Ray" Leung explains this much better than I can in this video.

1. Chef Hideaki adds the finishing touches | 2. Bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms | 3. Binchō-tan charcoals at Dragonfly Orlando | 4. Chicken & Beef Skewers from the Robata

Sushi sashimi maki rolls (seaweed outside) uramaki (rice outside) and specialty rolls are very much a part of their menu (a favorite being their signature roll The Dragonfly); along with a long list of cooked items made from fine ingredients.

Owner Hiro Leung is very vocal about his commitment to fresh ingredients and quality produce and seafood - the menu is crafted around this mantra with dishes that feature high quality (wa-gyū) beef duck pork and of course seafood and shellfish. If you're looking for flavor and quality but something more casual try their spin-off casual dining project - Yume Ume Japanese Kitchen.

A few favorites from Dragonfly Orlando are:

• Warm Spinach & Shiitake Mushroom Salad - tossed in a warm miso vinaigrette and topped with toasted macadamia nuts
• Ramen Noodles with pork belly braised short ribs a soft poached egg bok choy scallions bean sprouts togarashi & nori - (the seafood hot pot is also yummy)
• Softshell Crab Tempura served with ponzu
• Crispy Black Pork Belly in dashi
• Garlic Lump Crab Fried Rice with shiso & nori
• Agedashi Tofu with scallions & bonito flakes -or- Crispy Tofu with red miso bok choy & carrots
• ...and any rolls that catch your eye

View Dragonfly's Robata Grill and Sushi full menu here. For more dishes from fellow food lovers follow Dragonfly Orlando on Foodspotting 5. Crispy Tofu | 6. Sashimi Salad | 7. Chef's table at Dragonfly Robata | 8. Agedashi Tofu | 9. Wakame Salad | 10. Seafood Clay Pot from Dragonfly Gainesville Fl | 11. The Dragonfly Roll | Cover photo: Krispy Krunch Roll

Need a dumpling and dim sum fix? Switch gears from Japanese to Chinese cuisine with our Beginner's Guide to Dim Sum in Gainesville FL

All photos provided by Dragonfly and Imagin Asia Restaurant Management Co. Photos 9 and 10 by Melanie Ling. ©