Metro Sushi
Where do you head to graze on sushi in Atlanta? Iím a fanatic for the raw fish, but donít necessarily have one favorite place here in town. For a deluxe meal, I sometimes head to Nakato on Cheshire Bridge where their wait staff also boasts a wonderful knowledge of Sake. When I donít feel like splurging Iíve gone to Nickiemotoís or RuSanís. Nickiemotoís has dollar sashimi a few days a week, and RuSanís always has a ladies special for ten dollars that you canít beat.
My best friend swears by Taka that is also an excellent choice if youíre in the Buckhead area; it is a quaint place with good quality fish. Soto has reopened again, although I have yet to venture there for a meal. However, some people claim Soto is the ëSeegerísí of sushi here in Atlanta.
Bluepointe and its color-changing bar attracts many sushi fans, however I have not felt so good after two separate sushi dinners at Bluepointe. I have yet to go back except to sip wonderful cocktails at their bar and eat dessert. I canít continue without mentioning MF and their club-like atmosphere. Dining at MF is one of those places where you are looking at the gorgeous couple sitting next to you while eating. Yet MF is also pricey, so not really an option for a bi-weekly visit.
Zuma opened last year and has an absolutely stunning dÈcor. Their sushi is beautiful, yet every time I dine I feel as if my party is the only ones there? They stay open late on the weekends and are located on Highland Ave. in Inman Park. If youíre looking to experiment with Sake, Zuma has a vast selection.
I donít normally like the Thai-Japanese theme, but Mali in the highlands does it right. Both Thai and sushi options are yummy and this restaurant accommodates large groups well. Mali also has an outdoor dining area- a good option in the fall. Finally, Cherry in Midtown is a mid-priced and trendy option to try before heading out in that area on the weekends. They have various DJís playing anything from electronic-hip hop music.
What is your favorite metro Atlanta sushi spot?
My favorite of the mid-range stuff is a place called Umezono. It’s at Windy Hill and Cobb Pkwy, next to a Japanese grocery called Tomato.
It’s authentic (I assume that’s why it’s always full of Japanese customers) and it’s great. I like it better than the supposed gold standard, MF Sushi. I’d eat at Umezono once per week if I didn’t have to drive so far to get there.
If you’re nearby, go for lunch. They have great specials.
Funny you should mention this, a friend of mine and I have shifted the focus of our monthly dinners and will be concentrating soley on sushi in Atlanta. Last week was MF on Ponce, I had some sort of salmon number and it was the best I’ve ever had. Next we’ll be trying Nikimotos and the place behind the Dark Horse in Vi-Hi – I heard good things about their pricing. ;)
Keep me posted, I’m always looking for another spot to try.
Oh, and my fav OTP spot is a place called Ichiban on Windward in Alpharetta. Be sure to pack your passport.
Soto is definately the spot for Atlanta’s best sushi. Soto-san is a great guy and a creative genius. The only downside is the cost is high and they are only open for dinner. But an absolute must try if you have never been.
Umezomo…I totally forgot the name of that place. Me and a coworker went there a few weeks ago and it was awesome. Reasonably priced and very authentic. Tomato is great too — which reminds me, I need to get more prepared squid.
My spot is Sushi Ave. in Decatur. But maybe that’s because i’m in decatur.
Eitherway it’s low key reasonably priced good sushi.
I’ve heard about some plce that starts with an H, and is in some mall parking lot that is supposedly popular with natives of Japan.
Soto is one of the best places in Atlanta to grab sushi, but the service was horrible before they closed. I used to get there at the sushi bar before six and not be done until nearly nine. MF (magic fingers) is also slammin’ and I recommend anyone who goes there get the fresh grated wasabi (they do this at the table) as opposed to the manufactured paste… it’s definitely worth the extra $5. MF is my favorite place these days. Sweet Lime down in L5P is serviceable and there’s $1 sushi (all the basics) on Mondays (I think) Rusan’s is also decent and cheap. Nakato used to be my favorite, but I think the quality has dropped since my favorite chef, Bob, left several years ago. I’ll have to give it another run sometime. The restaurant itself is really cool, with the Japanese garden out back. Blue Point’s sushi is ok, but overpriced. There’s also actually a pretty good place in the bottom of the Grand Hyatt on Peachtree (used to be Hotel Nikko) It’s called Kamagawa. A little overpriced too, but I’ve always had good meals there.
If Soto’s service has improved that’s the place to go, with MF a close second, I’d say…