Bar Kada - Sake Bar: Intimate Michelin-Guide Japanese Sake & Small Plates in Winter Park, FL

We came here one night on a whim. We had been to Soseki a while ago, loved it, and wanted to try this spin-off. It's on the Michelin Guide, so our expectations were elevated. And it did not disappoint! Ambiance was very nice. A cozy, tucked away little room that felt like a Japanese speakeasy. Tables, high tops, and bar seating. Luckily, we got seated at the bar, so we could see a lot of food and drink prep. Very cool stuff. It made our service more prompt, as well. Our server was one of the main bartenders, so she had a perfect working knowledge of all the drinks she poured us. Very nice. As for the food, it was all absolutely banging. We started off with the Caviar Donut (crème fraiche, onion jam, caviar). This is a one-biter, so you have to order one per person. This little guy is a donut hole-sized thing with an explosion of crème fraiche inside. The salty pops from the caviar set it off perfectly and will have the table looking at each other all wide eyes in pleasant surprise. Next came the Chili Garlic Noodles (local rock shrimp, chili soy, bok choy). This was the dish of the night for me. Amazing noodles coated in a chili soy sauce that has a lingering heat that's not too intense. It's quite lovely. Accompanied by perfectly cooked rock shrimp, which are just slightly sweet, so this is a perfect dish. I want it again. I also had some amazingly crispy wings with a togarashi lemon slice, and a creamy mushroom dish that was heavenly. I can't find them on the menu right now, but that's ok, I like a rotating menu. Keeps things fresh. We finished off the mean with Mochi Cake (chocolate cremeaux, black garlic miso crumble). Soft, ooey gooey mochi cake was so good, and an insane texture. The warm cake paired with the cold, chocolate ice cream with the interesting umami of the black garlic, just so lovely. Perfect way to end the meal. Overall, this stuff was definitely Soseki quality. I want to come back soon. Come here.

For anyone who wants to experience authentic Sake this is the place. Fantastic small/intimate venue with fantastic service. Every employee was so genuinely kind and attentive. In looking at the different menus online, we noticed they change it up. This is a good thing of course but tonight we happened to get a menu with only 3 hot dishes and my partner did not like mushrooms so that left us one chicken and one shrimp hot dish. Now I love raw fish and was able to order a 5 set Sashimi but my partner would have liked another choice or two of hot dishes. I would recommend Bar Kada for most people since they are probably going for the fantastic Sake and fantastic cold fish dishes but just be aware that the hot dish options might be very limited.

My husband & I came here on a Saturday night with reservations and LOVED it! We were sat at the bar, and the main person helping us was Daniel, although we interacted with a few others as well. Daniel was such a delight & really knows his stuff! So fun to listen to with explaining the foods & sake pairings. We ordered off the bite30 menu and the regular menu and truly everything was phenomenal! We got the Sashimi, Dumplings, Mushrooms, Cheshire Pork Money Bags, Vietnamese Wings, and ended with the sorbet. Would recommend all of these dishes, but our favorite were the dumplings! We definitely recommend this spot and can’t wait to come back.

Came here with a friend after hearing so many great things and it truly lived up to the hype! The pre-fix menu made ordering simple (a lifesaver for someone like me who takes forever to decide!). I highly recommend the Black and Blue it was incredible. Huge shoutout to our server Danny, who was amazing and made the whole experience even better with his great presentation. This was just a casual dinner, but the atmosphere was so nice and elevated. Definitely worth checking out!

Sake, Ya! Hosted by Offline should be a Permanent Feature! I recently enjoyed a private dining experience offered to Offline members. Neither an ignorant nor ardent fan of sake, I embraced the opportunity to learn. I'm glad I did. As you step through the threshold of Bar Kada, notice the threshold. The stark black exterior with minimal inscription does conjure speakeasy vibes. My date and I were grateful for a passerby, who, noting our dress, said, "Are you looking for Soseki?" We replied, "Bar Kada." She pointed to the all-black door. I grasped the handle, ushered my date inside, and was transformed. The transformation was subtle. First, you note the quiet. Not the respectful quiet of a reserved space, but the silence of anticipation. The hostess was polite, and while we waited, I noted the decor. Where was the flair? Accustomed to either car parts or framed chef magazine covers on the wall, Bar Kada has neither. Their minimal aesthetic is artfully crafted and focused. Vessels for serving and preparing sake predominantly adorn the space. There are no clocks or windows. The "little cousin" Bar Kada to the grand dame Soseki is a phantom appendage. You can feel the hum next door. But this carefully curated space is all its own. Next, we meet Emika. She is the perfect blend of passion and decorum, tradition and jest, knowledge, and fun. She explains she is half-Japanese, half-Swedish Norwegian, and that she has been to Japan many times. Her breadth of knowledge spans all facets of sake making, from types of establishments to methodologies in preparation... from bar etiquette to a lesson in industrial history, she knows it all. Thinking I may learn a twin phrase to the simplistic "kampai" toast, these trite expectations never sprang. Instead, we were taken on a journey spanning 1,000 years of Japanese culture. Each sake was better than the last. The first felt like a beer one would enjoy after work. We quickly learned that sake is the Japanese word for liquor and therefore covers the gamut of alcohol. They got fancier and fancier. One felt like a glass of wine from a small village in France, while another had the texture and consistency of fine vodka. Everything will taste different based on your mood and what your palate is accustomed to. I don't know how it works—Emika tells it better. Just know the sake was good, and I was buzzed. The bar pairings were inspired, and the close working relationship between Emika and the chef was evident. The oyster preparation with cilantro and mint was as palate-pleasing as it was beautiful. Our dinner companion remarked, "I could eat 12 to 14 of these." I agreed with her. For me, the culinary star was the buckwheat noodle. Umami! Simple and rustic, it perfectly accompanied the selected varietals. We ended our evening with a gift bag from Bar Kada and a promise to return from us. This should be a regular event! Or a menu tasting experience where you order The Emika and get the 3 sake with their food pairings.

This place has a chill & quiet atmosphere. Our server was amazing and explained everything really well! The oysters were ok, but other things we got were great!

Sake, ambience, food, service; this place has it all! Bar Kada is a nice edition to Soseki and is a must visit if you are a oyster fan. Local oysters and some from over seas await you. The house ponzu sauce is delicious and adds just enough acidity. Food selection is diverse and very tasty. That being said leave room dessert! That mochi dessert hit harder than I thought it would and I almost ordered seconds even after slamming A5 wagyu from Japan and like 20 oysters! Staff was on top of things and always making sure we had everything we need. Props to them! Sake selection was also very good. I did see Devine droplets there which is one of my favorites but unfortunately was not available at the time due to a tasting. I highly recommend Bar Kada for get togethers with friends, family, or even a nice date night out. We WILL return!

Maxi with Offline - My husband and I had an incredible experience at Bar Kada! The food was outstanding, and the staff was exceptionally friendly and well-versed in the dishes and sake we enjoyed. The restaurant has a charming yet sophisticated ambiance. We’ll definitely be returning! We indulged in caviar donuts, oysters, chicken wings, and chili rock shrimp noodles—each dish was delicious!