UF students love this sushi place. They now have opened restaurant near Bradenton
Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi recently opened in Unit 5 at 190 N. Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center, bringing a new dining option to the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
Located just a few doors down from the popular Shake Shack, Bento is in its soft opening phase, focused on hiring, training, and takeout and delivery orders, regional manager Ron Auyong said. The company expects to start seating customers in its dining room in the next few weeks.
Bento opened its first restaurant in 2002, a few blocks west of the University of Florida and became a favorite of college students. The quick, casual pan-Asian eatery now has 21 locations, serving Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, South Florida, and St. Petersburg.
The original vision of the founders was to serve good, quality food in a fast and friendly environment.
“We are excited to be here. We were able to continue to grow during the pandemic with five more stores in the last seven months. More and more boutique chains are looking to locate in the Bradenton-Sarasota community,” Auyong said.
One side of the Bento menu is dedicated to sushi classic rolls and signature rolls, as well as poke bowls. Customers are invited to build their bowl by selecting from a list of proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, and steak), additions (edemame, avocado, cucumber, aspargus, kimchi, and many more — up to five selections), toppings (fried garlic, fried onion, scallion, wasabi, and more), and sauces, soy, spicy mayo, sriacha, teriyaki and more.
Classic rolls start at $4 for four pieces, while 10-piece signature rolls (red dragon, Miami, TNT, and more) are $11.50. A sushi combo box with an eight-piece California roll, and a choice of two four-piece classic rolls is $12.
The flip side of the menu has “from-the-kitchen” items, such as rice bowls, noodle bowls, and bento boxes. The bento box comes with white or brown rice, lo mein, ginger salad, string beans and a choice of protein or veggies for $11.50. With shrimp or steak, add $1.50 to the cost of the bento box.
Other offerings include sesame stir fry, veggie stir fry, coconut curry, and more. Sides include miso soup, house salad, egg fried rice, kimchi, veggie spring rolls, and more.
Rounding out the menu are bobo teas.
“We have a little of everything for you,” manager Teresa Piloto said of the new store. The restaurant is still hiring. Applicants may apply in person at the store.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. and 5:30 - 9 p.m. For more information, call 941-413-1202 or visit https://www.eatatbento.com/sarasota/.
Also coming soon to the University Town Center district:
▪ Buff City Soap offers all-natural bath and body products that can be customized with fragrances and plant-based ingredients. Buff City Soap will operate in a 2,700-square-foot space adjacent to Norman Love in the West District at UTC.
▪ Wish Boutique is relocating from Main Street in Lakewood Ranch to a 1,950-square-foot space next to Rusty Bucket along Cattlemen Road in the West District at UTC. The apparel, accessories and lifestyle shop offers women’s and children’s clothing from brands Joseph Ribkoff, Johnny Was, Clara SunWoo, Alembika and MacKenzie-Childs.
▪ Exercise equipment retailer Gym Source is opening a 3,500-square-foot showroom in the new retail parcel along DeSoto Road, adjacent to the Homewood Suites.
▪ Playtri, a triathlon-focused retail chain, is opening a 3,100-square-foot space next to Row House on the south end of the UTC district. The store will supply gear and support to people with a passion for triathlons, marathons, swimming and all things endurance.
▪ Also planned for the UTC district: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, opening in February next to Bento, and Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Café coming soon to Tourist Center Drive. Other new restaurants opening later this year include Georgie’s Garden Café, Bar George, Selva Grill, and Ford’s Garage.
This story was originally published January 21, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
