All You Can Eat Luxury
PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL
There’s the Nemo roll with white tuna, snow crab and avocado topped with salmon, a thinly sliced lemon and black tobiko—flanked by a decorative orchid. You can opt for the equally delightful Baby Tiger which consists of spicy tuna and cucumber topped with salmon, avocado, crunchy, eel sauce and masago. Or, for those who are still hesitant to declare anything with raw meat in it a culinary wonder, there is the popular Shaggy Dog, which features shrimp tempura, avocado and kani, with eel sauce on top.
For customers at Sushi Masa in South Lakeland it’s a toss up whether the most remarkable part of the experience is the sheer number of fan favorites options or the fact that every day of the week you can enjoy as much of as many of those offerings as you’d like for one set price—$20.95 for lunch and $32.95 for dinner.
“What sets our company aside is definitely our selection of food and drinks. If you ever come in for dinner the menu is equivalent to a book, we have something for everyone and then some,” says general manager Caroline Reyes. “We also have a full-service bar that offers some specialty drinks you cannot find anywhere else in Lakeland.”
For example, a popular beverage of choice is Kai Lychee, a premium rice Vodka soda that no one else in the city carries.
Also in the lineup at the Japanese Fusion inspired restaurant that has 12 locations—including one that recently opened in Tampa—are well-seasoned hibachi items that include grilled veggies, chicken, salmon, steak and lobster tail.
The inviting atmosphere includes eye-catching bamboo, Japanese cherry tree decor and a modern bar, and for special events guests can rent a private room that can accommodate 40-plus people.
“If you ever come in for dinner the menu is equivalent to a book, we have something for everyone and then some.”
The concept is clearly working. The Lakeland location has an average rating of 4.7 stars with nearly 1,900 Google reviews, and Reyes says there are some weekend nights where staff are serving 700-plus guests before the evening is finished.
Franchise owner Ryan Chen brought Sushi Masha to Lakeland to provide what feels like a fine-dining luxury experience at an affordable price point and Reyes and her staff are motivated to provide a total experience that matches the quality of the food.
“I am driven to serve people in Lakeland because I see a huge need for real hospitality in our town,” Reyes says. “There are very few places you can go and receive service that feels like you are visiting someone’s home, from the warm welcome to the hugs and goodbyes at the end of your meal.”