CALLING ALL SUSHI LOVERS…
Today is June 18, 2015 and that means it’s International Sushi Day!
International Sushi Day made its way into the world through social media back in 2009 as a Facebook group. Check them out here: www.facebook.com/AnnualSushiDay
Let’s not bore ourselves with sushi facts and its history. Guess what? It’s 2015. Everyone…pretty much everyone…has an idea of what sushi is.
So what would one do for this special informal holiday? It’s pretty clear…all you have to do is grab a bite at a local sushi joint! If you’re just starting out as a beginner or a well-seasoned sushi enthusiast, come celebrate at Alpharetta’s very own Atlantic Seafood Company, located at 2345 Mansell Rd.
Atlantic Seafood Co. has been around for 14 years now and within the last few years, has been polished by General Manager and Executive Chef, Nick Carpenter. Chef Nick draws much of his inspiration from being raised in Alabama and you can tell by his creations that he likes to pay tribute to his home state.
Let’s look into some of the highlights of their sushi menu. We begin with their nigiri and it tastes as fresh as what the best places in Atlanta have to offer. In essence, “nigiri” is what one calls the little fingers of rice topped with wasabi and a filet of raw or cooked fish or shellfish (as described by www.sushifaq.com). Typically, an experienced sushi diner prefers to have an array of different flavor profiles and will order sashimi or sushi of his/her liking. They may even choose to have the chef decide for them. This is known as “omakase”. The sushi chef knows which fish is fresh and it will also give them a chance to show off their skills.
So, if you want to order sushi like a pro, follow these steps:
- Order sushi in small increments. Don’t order all of it at once! Allow it to be an enjoyable dining experience and take your time.
- Fill your small dish with just a little bit of soy sauce. Don’t be an amateur. If you have to, dip only a small amount to your fish.
- Don’t mix wasabi and soy sauce together. Again, don’t be an amateur. Opt for a small pinch of wasabi on the rice of the nigiri and this can be special requested directly to the chef.
- Eat your piece of sushi in one mouthful. That way, you allow the whole piece to touch all of the delicate taste receptors of your tongue.
- Dismiss the special rolls. If I were you, I would order a hand roll instead. That’ll make you look like a pro.
Head over to Atlantic Seafood Co. in the near future and if you choose to sit in front of their sushi bar, you’ll probably meet Vin. Vin has been making sushi since the ‘80s and has brought his own creative experience with brand new menu items as the new head sushi chef. See for yourself right above.
*Note: Nick’s Awesome Banana Pudding limited availability (It really does take up to a day to prepare)
Chef Nick’s also lends his expertise as a very talented mixologist who runs the beverage program as well as the culinary aspect of Atlantic Seafood Co. I learned from Chef Nick that he make drinks based on how I feel or if I watch a movie and it makes me go, “huh? I need to make that man a drink”…for instance, The “Quint” Essential is their in-house bacon-infused bourbon, fig-infused sweet vermouth, and bitters. This cocktail owes its existence to Quint, the crazy boat captain in the classic motion picture, JAWS. The Belafonte is named after the ship in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Upon seeing this drink, it starts with limoncello, which is yellow like the ship, then goes dark (from the sparkling shiraz and sour mix) like it has just gone into the ocean to search for the jaguar shark.
If you love spirits, our recommended drink for you is The “Original” Smoked Old Fashioned that utilizes a bourbon blend specially formulated for Atlantic Seafood Co. by Angel’s Envy and several different fruit bitters. Chef Nick also concocted a Bulleit Rye-infused simple syrup to sweeten things up (much like what the classic recipe calls for), but still keep it stout.
FOR INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY, Atlantic Seafood Co. is running a special, Chef’s Choice Platter, that includes a Phoenix Roll and an assortment of fresh sashimi and nigiri for $18. Make your way there this evening and we promise you will not be disappointed!
Cheers!
