Omakase by Gino

intentionally old fish I’ve eaten recently, either. At Omakase by Gino, an upscale sushi restaurant in Santa Ana, the chef served nigiri sushi made from wild bluefin tuna that he aged for five days using a technique handed down from his grandmother. It was

my head around. Where to find dry-aged fish in OC Detention Where: 220 E. 4th St., Santa Ana When: Dinner only, Tuesday-Saturday Phone: 714-560-4444 Online: detentiondtsa.com Omakase by Gino Where: 304 N. Main St., Santa Ana When: Dinner only

It’s a darned good deal: 21 courses for $105. And of those 21 dishes, only one was a dud. A new sushi bar called Omakase by Gino opened in December in Santa Ana, and it is really good. It’s in that old shoebox-sized space that briefly housed

operating on the same level as Hana re in Costa Mesa or, even better, Urasawa in Beverly Hills, this little omakase joint is certainly a fun stepping stone into those other experiences at a fraction of the cost. Omakase by Gino Where: 304 N. Main St., Santa

. 10836 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, 714-516-8121, gemdining.com Gem restaurant in Fountain Valley. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 9. Omakase by Gino Chef Gino Choi offers a nightly omakase to no more than 10 people at a time

time, so don’t be late. 304 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 657-231-6008, instagram.com/omakasebygino Chef Gino Choi behind the omakase sushi counter at Omakase by Gino in Santa Ana. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 8. Isla Cuban It’s

Gem    Omakase by Gino    Isla Cuban    Anjappar    Maison Cafe & Market    Knife Pleat    Henry's    CdM    Louie's by the Bay    Fable & Spirit   

aguachile at Taco Maria (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Omakase by Gino It makes sense that an intimate sushi bar with 10 seats like chef Gino Choi’s Omakase might be difficult to book. But this place is insane. Reservations open (on

, instagram.com/omakasebygino Chef Gino Choi at Omakase by Gino in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) Hana re Another Japanese restaurant with only about 10 seats, chef Atsushi Yokoyama’s extraordinary Hana re isn’t nearly as

the quality of fish here is well above average, the range is fairly standard — approaching parity with, say, Omakase by Gino but still trailing light years behind Hana re. But notice has been served. Rebel Omakase is an emerging force to be reckoned

Knife & Spork Public Relations A new sushi bar called Omakase by Gino has opened in the spot that was formerly Gu Ramen and Paninoteca Maggio before that. The restaurant serves only a multi-course omakase which runs $95 per person (UPDATE: the price

Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG) 36. Omakase by Gino (New for 2019) Chef chef/owner, Gino Choi runs this charming, shoebox-sized sushi joint that seats only 10 people a time. The menu is strictly omakase, with a set menu that features a couple of

pristine. Must order: You are strictly at the whim of the chef. 304 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 657-231-6008, instagram.com/omakasebygino Chef/owner Gino Choi serves sushi his way at Omakase by Gino in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register