Nine Inspectors’ Favorites in Florida in 2025

"In a world of uniformity, this Baldwin Park restaurant proudly forges its own path, offering an experience that was described as one of the top two meals in the last year and serious yet full of whimsy, with a magic trick course that was one of the most surprising courses ever seen. Open for just one seating only a few nights a week, it offers a surprising and delightful culinary journey that revels in turning expectations on their head. Chef/owner William Shen’s tasting menu highlights Japan’s 72 micro seasons with highly original dishes infused with a sense of playfulness, including a course designed to mimic a convenience store snack run and another evoking “nigiri.” Whether it’s madai sporting a distinctive riff on tradition or a deeply savory bowl of kegani sourced from Hokkaido, there is an elegance and refinement threaded throughout a meal that progresses through multiple rooms over several hours." - Nancy DePalma