Restaurant seeks to bring quality Japanese to suburbs

A new North Austin restaurant is attempting to create the same buzz about its Japanese fare as some of its more centrally located counterparts.

Positive reviews and repeat business have so far helped Soto, a contemporary Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Lakeline Plaza near Cedar Park, become established since opening in early March. General Manager Goodwin Clark said the feedback has helped the young eatery overcome its northern location.

"People from this north part of town say they are desperate to get more restaurants like us up here," he said, comparing Soto's sushi to Austin favorites Uchi and Uchiko.

The face of the family-run operation, Chef Andy Okamoto, has prior experience working with his uncle in Japan before training at Nobu—one of the most renowned Japanese restaurant chains—and eventually under Chef Mashuru Morimoto at his restaurant in Philadelphia.

Soto staff pick up fresh seafood flown in from across the world multiple times per week. The weekly specials often keep customers coming back to see what is available next, he said. They also serve various Japanese pork, beef and chicken specialties, Clark said.

"It's not always the same products every single week," he said.

Looking forward, Clark said Soto will continue revising its menu by building on items that have proven successful, but consistency will still be key, he said.

"It is common to have an amazing product the first week, but our customers expect to come in randomly any time and get the same result every time," he said. "It's very important to us."

Soto, 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Ste. 402, Austin, 512-257-0788, www.sotoaustin.com.