TSTV Reviews - Aoba Japanese Restaurant

TSTV Review - Sushi Aoba from Rainer Flor on Vimeo.

Review: Aoba Japanese Restaurant
Website: http://www.sushiaoba.com
Address: 2588 Maguire Road Ocoee, FL 34761
Contact: TJ - 407-654-6776
Story By: James Lee, Editor-in-Chief, TSTV

If there's one necessity every living thing has in common, it must be the need to find sustenance. One of the main things we here at TubesocsTV love to do is eat. Every meeting we have, there's always some kind of goodness in our presence for us to munch on. I must say, it's been hard to keep the pounds off as of late. That being said, it only makes sense for us to have a food portion of our reviews channel. In our ongoing quest to find culinary excellence, we have searched far and wide across the Greater Orlando area to determine a restaurant that would be worthy of our first review. With very little debate, we chose Aoba Japanese Restaurant in Ocoee / Windermere. Located in the Plantation Grove Shopping Center in Ocoee, this small Japanese restaurant definitely shines bright.

The People
The first sight you will probably see upon entering the restaurant is probably this:
Enter TJ and his signature smile. Aoba is the epitome of the "Mom and Pop" style shop, as it is run by TJ and his wife Junko. Originating from Japan, TJ has been a chef for as long as he has been here in the US. From making an appearance on the Regis and Kathy Lee show, to managing the Mitsukoshi restaurant in Epcot Center, TJ's skill behind the sashimi knife does not go unnoticed. Ask him about his golf swing, or where to find a good spot for bass fishing. TJ is always up for a good conversation.

The Food
This Japanese couple creates an authentic dining experience like no other in a market where Sushi restaurants are almost as abundant as Starbucks. The menu is very simplified, which is a different look from the majority of restaurants in the area. Clearly, Aoba focuses on fresh ingredients and quality food. One thing TJ always incorporates into his food is to make sure each piece of sushi/sashimi is the size of one bite. The easier it is to eat, the more delicious it will taste. I must agree, it surely was delicious.

Aoba Boat for Two

Rainer, James, Unagi Roll, Spider Roll, and Volcano Roll with a touch of wasabi and ginger

New Menu Item: Appetizer Salmon Twist (Named by TubesocsTV)

The Experience
Aoba brings an old school approach in a new school world to Japanese cuisine. It is a very laid back and comfortable environment. Somehow Aoba captures the magic of a Sunday family dinner at home and generates that same cozy feel to the table. One noteworthy thing was the amount of regular customers Aoba had. It seemed like TJ knew a greater majority of the customers that set foot in Aoba. It was really special to see a business branching out and touching the members of the community. One couple asked TJ what school his kids would be attending next year, and TJ asked another couple how things were going with their own children. Not only is the food great, but you leave the restaurant knowing there was actually some TLC put into the food. My kinda place.

Sit tight for a bit, the full podcast review for Aoba Japanese Restaurant will be up very soon for your viewing pleasure. Till then, don't forget to check out our coverage of the Bay Two at Mills Park event. Stay Tuned.

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TSTV Culture - Bay Two

TSTV - Bay Two @ Mills Park from Rainer Flor on Vimeo.

Event: Bay Two At Mills Park
Website: http://www.eventsatmillspark.com
Contact: Kat Quast - Kat_Quast@gmail.com
Story By: Rainer Flor, Associate Editor, TSTV

It is always great to see and hear about locals, organizations, students, etc. organizing an event that brings a community together. Pelloni Development along with Kat Quast and Andrew White organized such an event that fused an evening full of art, music, food, spirits and most importantly culture. Artists from all over Orlando gathered at Mills Park to celebrate, appreciate, and communicate - and TubeSocsTV was there to capture it all!

The Venue
Bay Two is a venue that actually is part of a rejuvenation of some sorts down Virginia and Mills Avenue in Orlando, Florida. When everything is all said and done, the area will showcase residential, commercial, and cultural spots that will surely bring people from all ends of Orlando, whether it may be the arts or businesses around the area. The building itself is probably one of a few that was left standing during the redevelopment. The inside is completely gutted out and the end result is an urban feel ready for a splash of artistic expression.


The Artists
Going into Bay Two we had no idea Orlando was a city full of talented artists. It was quite amazing getting to interview the people behind the work, and just by looking at each piece, you begin to see some personality in it that reflects the artists themselves. I think that's what makes each piece interesting as well as inspiring. In an interview I did with Andrew White, he offered these thoughts to aspiring artists. "Never feel like your art is bad or it won't measure up to other artists. You should never compare your art to another artist. As long as you're expressing yourself and you're happy with your work and you want to show it, you should show it."

The Final Thought
The Pelloni Development Corporation believes in fostering creativity and promoting local artists through a series of events that feature music, film, art, and other innovative performances. I believe their mission is a catalyst for many other corporations to act and to accomplish the same goal. Here at TubeSocsTV, we feed off of these kinds of events, these kinds of positive experiences, and we feel that the entire world needs to as well.

In a few days, we will begin to stream online content, stories just like this one, through video podcasts. We invite everyone to check them out and be a part of TubeSocsTV.

What is TubeSocsTV?

TubeSocsTV will be the premier streaming video service that directly focuses on delivering positive content through media-rich outlets. Our goal is to expose the general public with yesterday's influences and today's positive behaviors and trends. By utilizing today's technologies, TubeSocsTV will be able to create a unique experience while reaching an increasing audience in online and on-demand videos.

Stayed Tuned!

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