This is an old post – nearly two years old, in fact. I thoroughly enjoyed this evening. The sushi making class was fun, but it is a great memory I have with my friend, Kim. Kim died one year ago today. I miss her dearly, but I have many, many wonderful memories with her. So important to make time for our friends. Just wanted to share…

Benihana had their first ever Sushi and Sake class in Atlanta this July. The class size which consisted of about 24 attendees took place at Benihana’s Alpharetta location. So pleased that I was invited to attend.

First things first, we ordered a drink. Our choices were the Blue moon Saketini, Mojito, Pomegranate Shochu or the Mango Saketini. My friend, Kim, had he Mojito and I chose the Pomegranate Shochu. Shochu is a liquor that seems to be gaining popularity in Japanese restaurants of late. It is a barley based liquor, often thought of as an alternative to Vodka.

We met our table mates and chatted for a while and then were brought a tray of sushi samplers. I had totally assumed we would be making the sushi and then feasting on what we had made. So, this was an unexpected pleasure to be treated to these sushi favorites before hand. The platter consisted of:

• Alaska Roll
• California Roll
• Caterpillar Roll
• Crunch Roll
• Philly Roll
• Rainbow Roll
• and Shrimp Lovers

After we were finished eating our Sushi, we were introduced to the chef at Benihana who would be instructing us, a couple managers who would be working their way around the tables to make sure we were on the the right track with our sushi-making abilities as well as the Beverage manager who gave us a brief introduction to sushi. We were also each given a tray with all the necessary food items to make our sushi rolls, a sushi mat and cutting board.

Some tidbits about sushi:

• Most common form is Nigiri (pressed sushi rice and topped with sliced fish or seafood)

• It is completely ok to use your hands when eating sushi

• Rice for sushi must me made each day or it doesn’t hold up well

• When making sushi you should always use short grain rice

• It is the vinegar in sushi that helps it stick to the nori

Next we watched the chef as he constructed the California roll and rolled it in the mat. Getting the roll just right is slightly tricky. The most common problem was not rolling it enough to make sure each side was completely covered in rice. Otherwise when you lift it onto the cutting board the insides will fall out. And the trick to cutting the sushi is dipping your knife in water before you make each slice.

Lucky for us, that was the hardest roll to make of the evening. Next up was the Nigiri, which is just a piece of fish laid over rice. My “syllabus” for the “course” says “If sushi is art, then nigiri is finger painting.” Lastly, we created a spicy tuna hand roll, which is simply like a bouquet.

Here’s what I created during the class. How’d I do?

It was a fun night had by all. I learned some new things about sushi, got to meet some cool people and most importantly, I ate well! The class is only $35 (full disclosure – I attended for free to review) but well worth the money for what you get. The platter of food is a great start which is accompanied by a complimentary cocktail. Then you get to taste 4 different types of sake AND all the sushi you make yourself is yours to take home as well. Benihana even gave us all lunch certificates for two to come back.

R. Rice, a Thai and sushi spot located in Sandy Springs, has been open about a year. The restaurant is located a couple doors down from Uncle Julio’s Mexican Restaurant. With lots of businesses nearby, R. Rice does a pretty good lunch business. However, they have a terrific dinner menu which we were invited to sample.

Although there are lots of specialty Martinis, I started my meal with a sweet Thai Iced Tea and paired my sushi with a glass of Riesling instead of Sake. Our group of four decided to order several appetizers and entrees and simply share everything.

Beginning with the Tofu and Calamari, our meal was off to a solid start. While the Tuna Pizza was quite tasty and didn’t skimp on Tuna at all, it was the Fried Soft Shell Crab that was the unanimous favorite at our table. The King and Queen’s Crown, (crab meat encased in a crown of avocado) was a close second.

Even though there were four of us sharing, choosing what to order was a difficult decision, because of the many tempting options. I’ve had Pork Katsu and Chicken Katsu, but never Grouper Katsu, so I knew I wanted to sample that as well as the Masaman Curry. Both were huge portions. The Grouper was perfectly done and the sauce complimented it perfectly, not too overpowering. The Masaman curry was equally tasty and plenty large enough for lunch the next day.

For sushi, although there are perennial favorites on R. Rice’s menu, we chose the standout items, like the Hawaiian roll, a shrimp roll with a Ginseng Honey sauce. It was lovely, but the flavor and texture of the American Dream roll with Tuna, Eel, Scallop wrapped into soybean paper was heavenly. And how pretty is this Lollipop roll with cucumber wrap?

We also talked to the owner, Mr. Lin, who gave us quite an education about sushi. He shared with us how passionate he is about providing quality sushi to his guests. Many restaurants will pack rolls full of rice to save on cost, according to Mr. Lin. He doesn’t do that, instead offering quality sushi in generous portions.

The food was outstanding and the pricing is reasonable. Specialty rolls and dinner entrees are all around $12. The pretty decor fits the bill for a casual date night or group outing. Would you like a $25 gift certificate to sample R. Rice? Go like my Facebook page and tell me what your favorite sushi roll is by writing on the Facebook wall. One entry per person please. Enter through May 2. I will select the winner using Random.org. I will let the winner know via Facebook on May 3.

R. Rice Website
1140 Hammond Drive
Sandy Springs, GA

Genki Sushi, has locations in the Prado in Sandy Springs as well as Buckhead. The popular sushi restaurant is also expanding and will be opening a third location in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood some time in April according to management. I was invited to Genki Sushi by the lovely Caren West PR.

Our server, Petia, a total pro, was well-versed in the cocktail and sushi menu. As she highly recommended the Mango Martini and the Red Samurai cocktail, we were more than happy to oblige. And these cocktails didn’t let us down. I loved the Red Samurai with the pomegranite juice. Since the drinks were such a hit, we let Petia steer us in the direction of appetizers too, choosing the Hamachi Kama (yellowtail) and the Tuna with wontons. Very fresh and delicious, I enjoyed every bite.

There are a number of cooked entrees and noodle bowls at Genki. So, if you have a group and someone doesn’t care for sushi, there are plenty of other options. I ordered the Genki Tuna roll and Mr. ARB ordered the Rainbow Roll. Again, both were extremely fresh. We were so full, we couldn’t manage a dessert, but Amy, one of the bartenders twisted our arms into trying one of here specialty shots, the Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake. If you are lucky, maybe she’ll make one for you

Please check out the video I shot while at Genki:

Extras: Wednesday nights include half price bottles of wine.

Bottle Rocket, located in the downtown neighborhood of Castleberry Hill, is the rebirth of Wasabi restaurant. Though the menu retains much of its sushi heritage, some new items have been added as well. I’d never been to Wasabi, so I don’t have a comparison of it to what is now Bottle Rocket, but I understand that the new decor is quite different. Gone are the white walls and minimalistic look of Wasabi. There’s a splash of color on the walls now. There’s a chalkboard menu. There’s a great music selection too.

We started with the Georgia Boy and the Dark ‘N Stormy. After seeing the video on Thrilllist how could I not order a Georgia Boy? It was tasty, the almond milk and liquor a perfect blend. But it was the Dark ‘N Stormy that won my heart that night. I don’t know how this drink tastes so much better here than any other place, perhaps it is the high end rum used in the mix. So addictive, I could have easily had about five or six of them. I only had one since I was driving, but at only six bucks a piece, it wouldn’t have hurt my wallet much.

I do know that the owners of Bottle Rocket strive to make quality drinks that are affordable. Even the Coke sold at Bottle Rocket is imported from Mexico. Instead of high fructose corn syrup, it contains real cane sugar. You can totally taste the difference.

For appetizers we choose the mussels and the vegetarian dumplings. The mussels were huge, every single one of them. And the broth was delicious and unique in that it is flavored in part by sake. Yum. Yum. You don’t want to miss out on this app. Of course, you’ll need extra bread as you won’t want any broth to go to waste. Our server, Joel, was very observant of this, being careful to leave the bowl and bring us extra bread for the broth. The vegetarian dumplings were another hit. Very fresh tasting and filling.

As I said, the menu is quite heavy on the sushi. I chose the Candy box, which comes with shrimp, a lobster salad and tuna on the top. What a pretty presentation. Quite delicious too. Although, I certainly need to revisit and try some of the other sushi offerings as the menu is very extensive.

However, I feel return visits would involve tuna burgers primarily. It is a steal at only $13. Oh, I can’t even begin to describe how heavenly this burger is. Bottle Rocket uses sushi grade tuna in this burger. It is held together with the panko breadcrumbs and a quail egg. See? Aren’t you dying to try it now too?

The staff was so friendly and helpful. It really seems to be an anchor in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood. If I lived in the Castleberry ‘hood, Bottle Rocket would be my Cheers.

180 Walker St.
Atlanta, GA 30313
404 574-5680
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Extras: Free Street Parking or in the No Mas lot!

All you can eat Sushi at ROOM
Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Sushi options include:
· California Roll
· Spicy Tuna Roll
· Spicy Salmon Roll
· Eel Roll

ROOM at TWELVE
400 W. Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.418.1250
Website

Lobby Bar and Bistro Brings Back “All You Can Eat Pizza” Night
Thursday from 6 – 9 p.m.
Get up to 6 toppings per pizza! Wowza

Lobby Bar and Bistro
361 17th Street
Atlanta, GA 30363
404.961.7370
Website