Kumo
 

Had very good lunch today (5/7) at Kumo, rather new hibachi & sushi restaurant on Kristine Way, off 44. Small, very clean, minimalist, modern Japanese interior makes a good first impression. Late lunch (served until 3), so only 4 tables occupied. Seated immediately and order taken very quickly since it was nearly 3. Ordered hibachi shrimp. Drink and clear soup (surprise, it was actually hot, so often clear soup is luke warm) were promptly at the table and order taken. They had quite a large lunch menu including many sushi choices, hibachi choices, and a variety of Bento box dinners. Ordered hibachi shrimp which came with flavorful plump sushi type rice, grilled vegetables, and a generous portion of medium sized grilled shrimp. Polite and very attentive waitress. If I could suggest any improvement at all, I'd say serving the hibachi lunch on a warm plate would really help since it cools so quickly after it comes off the grill. The hibachi meals are prepared in the kitchen, not at communal grill tables, so those who are mainly interested in the "show" would probably be disappointed even though the food was excellent.

I picked up a menu when they first opened, but I haven't eaten there yet. My only comment was that they could have spent a little money on the decor, and maybe arranged the tables better or add some booths. But, I will give it a try.

Is it golf cart accessible?

Yes, it is in the Lake Deaton Plaza.

Yes. It’s in Lake Deaton Plaza. If you know where Piesano’s is, it’s at the opposite end of the shopping center. All the way to the right as looking from 44.

We’ve eaten there several times. We enjoy more than most restaurants here.

Good review!

I always thought hibachi was synonymous with the communal grill. That part is definitely disappointing.

Ate there once food was at least equal to Sakura where we normally go. Only problem was very noisy

Because it is laid out like a low end fast food restaurant, with no decor, acoustics, or booth seating. Big mistake, especially for a Japanese restaurant.

Not sure how big of mistake it is. You can hardly get in there for dinner without a reservation. Their lack of decor certainly doesn’t appear to be hurting business. The food is good. The service is good. I’d rather have that from a nondescript place than crummy food and service from a fancy place.

Kumo is great - and you did not have a unique experience. It is always good. The one gotcha is that the prices for dinner can be double the lunch price.

BTW, the have takeout and online ordering.

We ate there twice foe lunch. It was really good both times. Great service too. We sat outside both times. It was nice. We will go back

Yes

“ In North America, the term hibachi refers to a small cooking stove heated by charcoal (called a shichirin in Japanese), or to an iron hot plate (called a teppan in Japanese) used in teppanyaki restaurants.”
Hibachi - Wikipedia

“ In North America, the term hibachi refers to a small cooking stove heated by charcoal (called a shichirin in Japanese), or to an iron hot plate (called a teppan in Japanese) used in teppanyaki restaurants.”
Hibachi - Wikipedia
When I was growing up, this is what we all called a Hibachi. They were popular little grills for use on balconies in apartment houses.

It’s our new favorite sushi place… It’s absolutely Fresh and delicious. (We are hoping that no one finds that
Out though….just kidding)
We love that we didn’t have to wait for a table and everyone was very friendly!

We’ve been there five times. Two for dinner and three times for lunch. The food is delicious and plentiful and reasonably priced for what you get. To me, lunch is a bargain.

In the north, where I’m from, when someone says they’re going to a ‘hibachi’ restaurant....it’s communal. Right in front of you and your guests. ‘Cooking in the back’ is what we call Chinese take out.

You are a restaurant designer?

No different than Sakura in Colony Plaza. If you want the show, try VKI in Lake Sumter Landing.

We had lunch there a few times (including yesterday) and very good experience as well. We find their lunch menu very reasonable.

Definitely recommend

We have eaten there several times and enjoy it very much. With dinner time being crowded, we often call in a take out order. For us, it is a five minute golf cart ride to pick up. It also allows us to drink our own wine!

On board with the masses. Good food and service, always.

The spouse and I have went two or three times and they were consistently good -- food and service.

Place isn't fancy, but neither are we.

The shrimp was the BEST hibachi shrimp I’ve ever eaten! Not overcooked and very tasty

There are lots of booths…not sure what the issue is. Decor and service is amazing…our go to place!

Shhhhhh!
 

Best food and value in The Villages. Their Sushi is unmatched by any other place.

Love Kumo! Been there about 6 times. Order the same... the Hawaiian bowl, flaming lobster sushi, and steamed gyoza. Nice atmosphere eating in but to avoid the wait for seating many order takeout.

Been there once for dinner. Never even noticed the decor, as I was more interested in the food and friends with us at the table...

I was NOT disappointed. It will definitely enter our rotation...

Thanks for the replies. Sushi and Sashimi are my favorites. Take out at Sakura is my go to, but I will definitely try Kumo next time I’m in that area : )

When They first opened, I don't think they had any booths or decor. Maybe they have added them.

Well it was definitely very good ! I am not sure of this, but I think "hibachi" refers to the type of cooking (a grill as opposed to oven, frying, etc.) and "Teppan" or "Teppanyaki is the style grill on which "hibachi" type cooking is done; the larger communal grill that also serves as a table. I certainly could be wrong I admit, but that was the explanation I told LONG ago at a Benihana where I grew up near Lauderdale by the Sea.

Not claiming to be an expert in this, lol, but I think you might be thinking of "teppanyaki" ? Cooking on a hibachi grill incorporated into large communal tables. Kumo, I just assumed, does have an actual hibachi, just does not do it teppanyaki style, but the food is really delicious and the quality the ingredients, even the type of rice used, is quite high. Will that continue ? Who knows ?

Lol, yes, that's a good point. Will continue to eat there several times a month unless... things change, as they too often do. Ordering sushi and sashimi this weekend as I have enough confidence that they actually have fresh sushi grade tuna (yellow tail) so we'll see how that goes !

Could be. It’s all good. Either way I love that style of cooking. I’m sure it’s not, but it feels and tastes healthier than other options...

Kumo
 

We had lunch here for the first time.
Food, service & atmosphere were wonderful.
I wouldn’t hesitate to eat here again!!