A Buffet with Sushi, A Sake Bar, and All-You-Can-Drink Mimosas?! Santo's Modern American in Coconut Creek

Generally, when most people think of buffets, images of austere white spaces, bright fluorescent lights, and stainless steel bain-maries with plastic sneeze-guards come to mind. The interior at Santo's Modern American Buffet & Sushi is a stark contrast to the average all-you-can-eat establishment-- walls covered with natural stone facade, sleek...

By Sara Ventiera

October 2, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Generally, when most people think of buffets, images of austere white spaces, bright fluorescent lights, and stainless steel bain-maries with plastic sneeze-guards come to mind.

The interior at Santo's Modern American Buffet & Sushi is a stark contrast to the average all-you-can-eat establishment-- walls covered with natural stone facade, sleek black tables, smooth white chairs, granite countertops, and, dig it -- a sake bar!

- Dennis Max to Open the Mexican in Boca Raton

- The Royal Pig Pub & Kitchen Capitalizes on Cool Trends

The food is, for lack of a better term, eclectic. Santo's features many of the typical dishes found at Asian buffets: orange chicken, fried rice, lo mein, sushi. However, here, they decided to mix it up a bit. Well, maybe a lot. A grill station serves up roast steaks and smoked pork. The salad bar offers organic soba noodle salad, ceviche, and beef carpaccio. Hot entrees include everything from traditional Asian buffet classics to chicken parmesan and spinach gratin. The soup ranges from miso to lobster bisque.

Another departure from the standard buffet is the bar. Santo's offers beer, wine, and sake. According to owner Johnny You, "We wanted to do a big sake bar, so people could get to know sake from this place." For $6 diners can order a sake tasting, which includes 3 flights.

The buffet runs $12.95 for lunch and $19.95 for dinner. This includes everything: sushi, sashimi, salads, grill station, dessert. Drinks are not included. On weekends--Saturdays and Sundays-- Santo's also offers brunch. For $15.95, this includes the buffet and cooked-to-order organic eggs. All you can drink mimosas are an additional $7.

Clean Plate Charlie caught up with You to ask about the diverse offerings. "It's my background. I'm from New York. I've worked in all different kinds of restaurants--French, Latin, catering. I'm usually the only Chinese guy" he says.

Santo's Modern American Buffet & Sushi is located at 4690 N. State Rd. 7, Coconut Creek. Lunch is served Monday- Thursday 11-3pm and Friday 11-3:30pm. Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday 11- 3:30. Dinner starts daily at 5pm and ends at 10pm; 11pm Friday and Saturday.

Follow @ CleanPlateBPB

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.