Volcano Reloaded roll at Sushiato in Parkland. {Photos by Enza Motta}
By: Enza Motta
After a year of waiting, Sushiato has finally opened its doors in Parkland, bringing original Japanese dishes with a Latin twist to the city.
Owners Nino Ravicini and Sandra Mauro are business partners and Venezuelan nationals.
Ravicini opened his first Japanese restaurant 22 years ago in Los Samanes, Caracas, Venezuela. However, in 2016, he and his wife Patricia Cubeddu, and their three children faced the tough decision of emigrating to the US due to Venezuela’s political and economic turmoil.
“When you emigrate as an adult with your family, it is very challenging. The risk is higher. However, when you do things well, have good intentions, and are disciplined, everything goes well,” said Ravicini.
The owners opened Sushiato at 4483 Weston Road a month after he moved to Weston. The restaurant’s name combines the Japanese words that inspired it: sushi and art.
They opened Sushiato at 4483 Weston Road a month after moving to Weston. The restaurant’s name combines the Japanese words that inspired it: sushi and art.
In 2018, after its warm reception and success, Ravicini and Mauro opened a location at 26 SW 8th St in Brickell. After a year of obtaining licenses and other paperwork, they opened in Parkland — doors away from another Venezuelan-owned business, Carmela Coffee Company.
“I like the city of Parkland because demographically, it resembles Weston,” said Ravicini. “This type of community needs good restaurants. Based on our good experience in Weston, a family town, we decided to open here.”
Sushiato’s menu includes appetizers such as pork or vegetable gyozas ($8), shumai ($8), edamame ($8), and sushi pizza ($15), among others.
They offer crispy nigiri ($16), deep-fried rice with shredded tuna, krab mix, and yellow pepper sauce. Also included on the menu are shrimp pops ($16), deep-fried shrimp tempura served with yuzu sauce, sesame seeds, and scallions.
For those who like bao buns, there are three varieties to choose from pork belly ($9), fried chicken ($7), or crispy shrimp ($8).
Pork Belly Bun
The pork belly bun was a pleasant surprise. The bun included a slice of tender pork and spring mix bathed in Japanese mayonnaise and a touch of hoisin sauce—all these ingredients combined to provide a mouth-watering experience and a desire for seconds.
As an entree, they have sashimi ($12 – $39), hosomaki ($8), nigiri($9- $21), poke bowls ($18-25), and so much more.
Sushiato offers up to 25 different sushi rolls. These include guava rolls($19), tinker bell roll ($20), volcano reloaded ($20), and tuna salmon deluxe ($23).
Sushiato Salad
The volcano reloaded roll was delicious. It resembled a volcanic eruption, containing crispy fried chunks of calamari, seafood mix, and thin slices of avocado topped with a baked mixture of octopus, crab, cream cheese, and spicy mayo.
For those over 21 years old, different cocktails based on Japanese sake are available, such as the cucumber cooler made with junmai sake, lemon juice, fresh cucumber, soda, and syrup.
Cucumber Cooler.
Location
Sushiato is located at 7961 N University Dr in Parkland.
Hours
Sunday 1:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 12:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday 12:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Thursday 12:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Saturday 1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
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