We visited Mount Dora on my birthday last week, and while the obligatory stroll downtown was planned, we detoured to the southern reaches of the city near Tangerine to enjoy a late lunch at Saga Fusion.
Just a few minutes away from the downtown bustle, a little wayward to North Orange Blossom Trail, we found a Pan-Asian charmer that delighted us all.
Saga Fusion is the cool, modern cousin that lives a few miles from the historic downtown — a bright, sleek sanctuary where the portions are massive, the fish is fresh and the menu is surprisingly affordable.
What did we eat there?
For the appetizer, Steamed Veggie Dumplings — the ultimate comfort start. Encased in a delicate, translucent spinach-ified offering, unusually emerald-colored dumplings that are light and savory — a perfect prologue to the heavier courses.
I ordered a delicious and generously fresh seaweed salad, and The Red Dragon Roll: A centerpiece of the menu, this roll is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
The specialty roll features a crisp base of shrimp tempura and cucumber, topped with a “dragon skin” of spicy tuna with a delightful, subtly snappy brine and vibrant red roe. It’s the perfect balance of crunch, spice and freshness.
My mother-in-law’s hubby lassoed in The Cowboy Roll — for those who want a taste of the West in their Eastern feast, this roll swaps the traditional for the savory. It has seared beef, paired with cream cheese and avocado, offering a rich, buttery profile that stands out from the lighter seafood options.
I tried it and liked it. Good for those hungrier days.
Gaby, Danny’s mom, had Beef Ramen Noodles — oodles of tender but not overcooked noodles with a soft-boiled egg, tender slices of meat and scallions. And last but not least, Danny enjoyed the most organized way to scope out Saga’s flavor sensations: a bento box with Teriyaki chicken, California rolls, tempura vegetables, dumplings, and the requisite rice and salad.
Why do we recommend Saga?
It’s clean, the food is fresh, imaginative specials are crafted daily, and Saga fully lives up to the “Fusion” part of its name.
If I had raw fish lovers with me (Danny’s parents are famously not), I would have ordered the sashimi pizza, which looks amazing.
Something to look forward to next time.
Saga Fusion is located at 6551 N. Orange Blossom Trail in the Stoneybrook Shopping Center. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.; on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m. For more information or to view the full menu of specialty rolls and hibachi, visit sagafusionfl.com or call 352-729-4007.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: A late lunch satisfies Asian-style at Saga Fusion in Mount Dora
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
