Otoko Sushi Wizard Picked as Austin’s Best New Chef

Otoko’s sushi mastermind Yoshi Okai is one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2017. The affable chef was picked because of his mesmerizing sushi presentation and thoughtful ingredients that are just different enough from the usual. The intimate omakase restaurant made its debut just over a year ago, under the helm of Paul Qui and Okai.

Texan chefs appear twice on the list: San Antonio's Diego Galicia and Rico Torres of Mixtli made the LIST, where the tasting menu changes themes regularly. The restaurant impressed Eater critic Bill Addison. Other chefs include Nina Compton of New Orleans' Compere Lapin, and Los Angeles chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson of Kismet.

Emmer & Rye's Kevin Fink made the list last year. Other Austin chefs include Olamaie chefs Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas (who is no longer with the restaurant) in 2015, Paul Qui in 2014, Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine and Odd Duck (during its trailer days) in 2011.

• Food & Wine's Best New Chefs 2017 [Food & Wine]
• Paul Qui Returns To His Sushi Roots With Otoko [EATX]
• All Coverage of Otoko [EATX]