Lotus Noodle Bar

The first stop on our food journey takes us to Chef Barry Honan’s Lotus Noodle Bar. With aspirations to elevate dining in the region, Chef Honan brings his Michelin-starred pedigree (Le Bernardin in New York) to St. Augustine with his innovative take on a classic Japanese staple – ramen. 

The Grades

🍽 Food Quality: Freshness, flavor, execution, and presentation.


Lotus served the highest-quality of flavors, the presentation was immaculate, and there was a keen attention to plating. Let’s touch on the appetizers and main.

• Salmon Nikkei ($26): A bright, citrusy opener featuring chili-coconut milk, pickled onions, and Okinawan sweet potatoes. While refreshing, the Japanese ikura caviar felt like an afterthought.
  
• Bloom ($21): Pillowy steamed buns dripped with honey truffle butter. This was paired with a side of a chili-crunch sunny-side egg that would standalone as one of the top-brunch items on the first coast. Having it as a side to the buns? An absolute treat. Combined, they created a rich, well-balanced bite.
  
• Banchan ($28): The pork belly had a well-executed crust on the outside and a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness on the inside. Paired with the accompaniments, there was a perfect amount of acidity and crunch to balance out the richness of the pork belly fat.
  
• Sweet Soy Braised Brisket ($40): Now for the star of the show – the ramen. This isn’t your college-aged ramen or even the back-alley in Shinjuku ramen, this is an elevated version that pushes the creative envelop. The depth, complexity, and serious umami made this dish worth the price of admission. A silky broth, a soy-braised brisket that falls apart on impact, and fried garlic that lingers in the best way made this an unforgettable dish. 

It’s clear that the Lotus staff has embodied Chef Honan’s unique take on Japanese cuisine. Of the four dishes, there wasn’t one that let me down. St. Augustine residents are lucky to have this establishment in their backyard.

Score: 5/5

👨‍🍳 Service: Attentiveness, knowledge, and hospitality.


From the moment I walked in, the staff was very attentive, properly spaced out our dishes, and explained each appetizer and entre as it arrived. Chef Honan also stopped by the table three times to offer his insights on the dishes, his background, the concept of Lotus, and where he hopes to take the restaurant moving forward – omakase, perhaps? It was evident that Lotus staff had a passion for what the craft and serving their guests. 

Score: 5/5

🎭 Atmosphere: Ambience, decor, noise level, and overall vibe.


Everything was well thought out in the space Lotus has to work with. The lights, the cutlery, the dishes, the drinkware – and even ensuring that all candles were lit – no detail was left untouched. Although the restaurant is on the smaller side, the space is maximized with counter seating. It was also unique to see the entire staff step up to turn tables quickly, including Chef Honan himself. Attitude reflects leadership, and it’s clear why the Lotus staff is passionate about the product they’re delivering to patrons.

Score: 5/5

🍷 Drinks: Wine & cocktail selection, creativity, and quality.


I don’t think it would be fair to give a score in this section. I ordered the Ruri pilsner ($8). It was refreshing and light, but my impulse decision to order a beer did not adequately allow for a full review of their drink menu. 

Score: N/A

💰 Value: Does the experience justify the price?


Dining is more than just food – it’s entertainment and hospitality. For this blog, it was an experience well worth the price of admission — $93.50 + tip. Could the bill have been cheaper? Sure. But was it worth it to try all of the appetizers? Absolutely. Was the ramen pricey compared to other local spots? Sure. But comparing Lotus to other local spots is like comparing the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Kansas City Chiefs – sure, they might play the same sport, but one plays on a totally different level.

Score: 4.5/5

📍 Location & Accessibility: Distance, ease of access, parking, and convenience.


This is tricky based on where you live. If you’re based in Jacksonville, it’s a bit of a hike to make it to St. Augustine – especially on a weeknight; and parking can be limited.

Score: 4/5

🔄 Would I Go Back?: The ultimate test—worth a return visit?

Without question. While this might not be a weekly visit due to the distance from Jacksonville, it’s certainly worth the drive. 

Score: 5/5

The Final Verdict

It might be unfair to other restaurants in the region that we’ve lived in Jacksonville for nearly a year and this was the dining experience that inspired the start of this blog, but here we are. Chef Honan and his team have set the standard. If you enjoy the experience of dining, be sure to add Lotus to your list.

Total Score: 4.75/5