Posted by foodiebuddha
on February 07, 2010
As I hobble through life with a Droid as my sole camera, it’s time for another one of my first impressions that really isn’t a first impression. Falafel King sits on the Emory campus just off the junction of Oxford and N. Decatur. Though it’s purveyors are of Korean lineage, this shack sized, spit using restaurant actually sells the oddly married cuisines of Japan (in this case sushi) and the Mediterranean. This odd mish mash of grub, combined with a distinct facade (displayed at right by babythekitten) and pocket book friendly prices, helps to draw customers from areas well beyond Emory.
In many circles, the King is treated as royalty. The reality is closer to something more understated; however, for a place that freshly pats down their chickpea mixture, they do just fine.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on January 21, 2010
It’s been several years since Taka Moriuchi packed his knives, left his position as understudy to sushi God Sotohiro Kosugi (aka the dude who ran the much discussed Soto), and settled in as the leader of Taka Sushi Café.
Much like my father, it took me some time before I warmed to the idea of visiting Taka-san in Buckhead. Even after Soto departed our fare city, something in me caused this undue shackling of obligations. Mind you, nothing about that decision had anything to do with the kind and approachable Taka.
Time passed and wounds healed, and so began my long inevitable decent into complacency. Yes, I finally started to drift in and out of this notable Buckhead establishment. As it happened, 24-months had flown by since my last soirée, well before the young Buddha was born within. Rather than try and recall experiences buried in the cobwebs someone might call “my brain,” a recent night cap inspired this infant impression.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on January 17, 2010
While playing with any convention is dangerous territory, it doesn’t mean it can’t be lighthearted and fun. I believe that statement is a perfect representation of Taka Moriuchi, the facebooking blogger who also happens to produce some of the better sushi in the city. Taka-san has a habit of mixing things up a bit, and his burger may just be his best attempt to date.
Japanese food is known for its artful simplicity and its tradition laden techniques. Still, that doesn’t mean that the cuisine is the least bit static. Many Japanese chefs, especially those of the sushi persuasion, are at the center of this movement. Here at this precipice stands the Menchi Katsu burger from Taka Sushi Cafe, that ever popular neighborhood sushi joint located in the glitz of Buckhead.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on October 11, 2009
I love bentō boxes. They are just cool on so many levels. And what better way to promote your love of all things bentō by mixing bentō art with Where The Wild Things Are, that upcoming film from cinemalista bad ass Spike Jonze. Puttering around on the internet today, I decided to visit Anna The Red, one of my favorite off-beat food blogs. Anna, who is all about bentō art, hasn’t been as prolific with her content in the past few months as she was initially, but that doesn’t mean she’s any less poignant.
Bentō, which is a single-portion meal usually designed for travel, is very popular in Japanese cuisine. Not surprising, we have turned a traditional element of Japanese culture into a pop-obsession. With that, enjoy these samplings, and then head over to Anna’s blog for some more goodies. You can also get a full fledged attack of bentō art on her flickr feed.
Posted by foodiebuddha
on October 04, 2009
Adam (aka guest blogger dude) and I were milling around the Westside a few days ago looking for a place to eat lunch at. Having spent the previous day gut busting around, I had a hankering for some sushi. A cheerful banter arose, so back and forth we went until Adam suggested Zen on Ten, an Asian bistro and sushi bar located in the still fresh Ten Side apartment complex.
Having only seen the place in passing, and with no real concrete idea of what to expect, we both settled in on the assumption that Zen on Ten would fill the role of the fast dining sushi option; in other words, what Moe’s is to the burrito, we THOUGHT Zen would be to sushi. Turns out, we were pleasantly wrong.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on September 22, 2009
It seems almost shameful. Not only am I deeply passionate about Japanese culture and cuisine, but I pride myself on visiting most anything that resembles a Japanese restaurant here in the Dirty. Such was the basis for my dismay as I met up with ChowDownAtlanta (website) for a little grub late last week. After our usual game of who’s gonna make the call, we finally settled on the long standing Yakitori Jinbei for our lunch endeavor. Located up Cobb Pkwy, just outside I-285, it is beyond shocking that I had never before ventured into the tiny strip mall eatery. Open since ‘02, I lived not more than 3 miles from the place for many a year.
Walking into the 40 some-odd seat room, you can’t help but identify the formulaic Japanese décor. Heavy on the soft, and accented with the deep, the simplicity of the space is both expected and demanded. It is a style that I will never tire of. My affinity for the layout, however, is inconsequential. What is of importance is that the place is clean and the furniture and such are all of relatively high build quality.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on September 20, 2009
Last week, I was heading down West Paces Ferry towards Peachtree. As I pulled up to the traffic light, a “Now Open” sign caught my eye. Apparently, Bento Sushi, a little sushi bar, has opened near this intersection in the heart of Buckhead. If you aren’t a fan of online maps, you should note that Bento sits right next to Chops/The Lobster Bar and Nava.
Early reports seem to be that the place is half-decent. Though I have no way to throw my hat into the mix on this one, I did check out their menu. It’s a pretty straightforward take on Americanized sushi and includes some apps and small items. Meanwhile, with a vast majority of the items priced between $7 and $9, and the obvious focus on the portable, it seems that they are targeting the grocery store sushi market. However, you shouldn’t let the name completely fool you – they do have on premise seating.
We’ll see how things turn up for Bento. In the meantime, I’ve asked one of my Buckhead buddies to go check it out … we’ll see if she shows up with a guest post anytime soon!
Bento Sushi-To-Go Restaurant Address & Information
3060 Peachtree Rd NW Atlanta, GA 30305 // 404.261.7878 // Bento website // Bento menu
Posted by foodiebuddha
on August 05, 2009
If you read this blog with any regularity, then you are well aware of my absolute idolization of former Atlanta resident and world-renowned super chef Sotohiro Kosugi. Kosugi crushed us all when he took his game to the big apple. As it turns out, some people who read my review decided to stop in on Soto on a recent trip to NYC. What follows is a recap of their trip to his namesake sushi bar. While they are most definitely fond of food, I think it’s nice to get some perspective on here from people who aren’t “foodies.”
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on July 02, 2009
Light years ahead of Ru San’s, miles behind the likes of MF Sushibar and Sushi House Hayakawa, the Ra Sushi chain has expanded into the deep south. To establish their foothold, Ra has setup shop in the sparkly glowy 1010 Peachtree Building in Midtown Atlanta. RA’s menu is splattered with words like volcano, Godzilla, and crazy … so if the decor didn’t already tell you … authenticity ain’t the name of the game.
Before we begin, let’s get a few things straight. As I said, any jackass walking in here who expects an “authentic” experience should have their head examined. Just because it ain’t hometown Tokyo doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy it. But … then again, just because it’s there … doesn’t make it good 
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on January 29, 2009
The past few months, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time looking at the Madrid Fusion website. Well, the event has wrapped and the food scene is abuzz. Many great American chefs took part in the conference: Grant Achatz, David Chang, Harold McGee, and Jose Andres all made appearances. Of particular interest to those in Atlanta, Sotohiro Kosugi, to whom I swear an unabashed allegiance, was invited! Kosugi, now entrenched in New York, was asked to perform along David Chang of Momofuku. The dynamic duo was asked show off for a crowd of some of the most well respected foodies in the world. From what I have read, they knocked this one out of the park!!!! More after the jump …
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