Tampa’s First Omakase-Only Restaurant

"When reservations for Koya's first month sold out within minutes, Eric and Adriana Fralick knew they had a hit on their hands. But Koya's success wasn't always as clear as it is today. Before selling out month after month, Koya was uncharted territory. Being Tampa's first omakase-only restaurant, the dynamic duo knew they had their work set out for them. 'At the time, there was not a single tasting menu only restaurant,' explains Eric who prepares and serves each piece behind the counter. 'We approached the concept as if we were headed into the wilderness. When we looked at that definition of wilderness and its Japanese translation (Koya) we knew it fit perfectly.' The power couple's goal, Eric tells me, 'was to break the stereotypes of Japanese food that most Americans, especially in Florida, were used to.' The result is a menu with a unique combination of Eastern and Western influences that is luxurious yet unexpected. It’s been almost three years since Koya first opened its doors. From Covid-19 to the closing of Noble Rice's original location, a lot has happened. But among all those changes, one thing has managed to remain constant. And that is the intimate 8-seat tasting-menu-only experience that is Koya, is still on top of Tampa's omakase world." - Kevin Chau