I am truly blessed. My birthday is Tuesday, so I had planned to celebrate with my friends last night over dinner at Ichiban in downtown Orlando. It was pouring rain all across Central Florida all day yesterday including when dinner reservations rolled around. Despite the rain, my friends still came out for dinner, which I really appreciated.
Ichiban did a great job accommodating our table of 16 people. Our waiter was attentive and really friendly.
I started my birthday celebration with cold lychee sake. It was so delicious and went down a little too smoothly.
I love lychee fruit. My grandma used to always give me lychee candies when I was little. The sake was a great grown-up version and just as sweet as the fruit.
Kevin ordered steak, and I ordered sushi, which is our typical routes at any Japanese restaurant.
I ordered the tropical roll, which had tempura asparagus (DELICIOUS!) and real crab in the roll then was topped with salmon, tuna and avocado. I also ordered a salmon roll. The sushi was really fresh and delicious.
I was really happy with my decision to celebrate my birthday with my friends at Ichiban, and I was really impressed with their menu. Their prices are very reasonable, and the food was delicious. They didn’t have a full bar—just beer, wine and sake—but I didn’t miss the liquor.
In wedding news, we did successfully visit three venues yesterday, despite the rain. We actually fell in love with two of them! Go figure that it would take me so long to narrow down venue choices and now we have two that we can’t decide between. It’s funny because they’re kind of opposite. One is very regal, romantic and gorgeous. The other is more fun, quirky and unique. Decisions, decisions…
Which type of wedding venue would you envision?
I feel like such an Orlando newbie when I read your blog. You visit so many restaurants, and none of which I’ve ever even heard of! haha (except Citrus
)
I think I would probably go with the unique venue! It’ll be romantic no matter what!
That looks delicious!
Go with the unique venue for sure!
I don’t get to visit downtown Orlando much these days (I live in Winter Park) but I enjoy the restaurants down there!
Delicious food!
Hmm..it really depends on what type of vibe you are going for with your wedding. For me, I would choose the more regal, romantic venue because that is the style wedding that I am having. If you are into doing something more mordern and different then I would say choose the unique venue. I’m sure whichever you choose will be beautiful!
I think whatever venue seems more like “you”. We chose one on the water because the beach is our happy place. So whatever you feel represents you as a couple, or the feel you are trying to go for, is probably the one!
Yay for your bday tomorrow:)
I had a beach wedding, so I’m all about the casual….but that’s just the way I am!
Happy early birthday! Your sushi looked delicious and tempura asparagus sounds amazing.
For my wedding, I always envision a nice, elegant hall but with lots of little personal touches that show our personalities. I really want to get married in the fall because it’s my favorite season and I would love to have a fall themed wedding.
Your sushi looks amazing!
I would go with the gorgeous romantic one but it’s up to you!
Happy, Happy Birthday! That lychee sake sounds delicious.. I have never had lychee sake and will now keep my eyes peeled for it. I would have to say I envision something outdoors near the water in Cape Cod, Massachusettes. I kind of grew up there so it would be a dream for me.
Happy almost birthday! Both venues sound great. I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with either, but I guess if I liked both equally and had to pick, I would try to narrow it down in terms of logistics. Venue capacity, convenience, extras that each place offers, etc. Hope this helps! My ideal venue is somewhere rustic and romantic, with undone-elegance if that makes any sense!