Atlanta Luxury Restaurants Archive

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I spent a good number of my younger years living the vegan lifestyle. There are two main reasons I strayed. Firstly, as vain as it sounds, I couldn’t give up leather goods. Pleather just isn’t the same. Secondly, my undying love for sushi eventually won the bloody culinary battle in my heart. I love raw fish and the very thought of never eating it again literally made me want to cry.

As I’ve toyed recently with the idea of going vegetarian or even vegan again, perhaps subconsciously my cravings for any kind of meat have gone into overdrive – I find myself eyeing everything from chorizo tacos to packs of bacon. And, not surprisingly, I’ve also been eating as much sushi as I can get my hands on, regularly frequenting a few of my favorite Atlanta sushi haunts. Here are a few of my go-to places in the metro area that offer delicious, authentic, fresh sushi.

► Sushi Yoko (7124 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross; 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday ) – Tucked away in its own building off of Peachtree Industrial, this restaurant feels more like someone’s home – warm and welcoming. And for authentic sushi, this is my pick for lunch in Atlanta. The lunch special is just $7.50 and includes two choices off a long list of possible entrees, as well as miso soup, a small salad with ginger dressing and rice. They also offer private rooms, but those require reservations. Attached to the restaurant is a great little Japanese grocery store called Tomato, and I always pick up some of my favorite Japanese candy whenever I’m there.

► Magic Fingers MF Sushi Bar (265 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta; 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sunday; and 3280 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta; 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. and 6-11:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Sunday) – Magic Fingers has two locations in Atlanta, and both are known for the excellent quality of fish, as they fly it straight from Japan. The Buckhead location is especially impressive in its modern design that is very stylish and hip – a great place if you want to impress someone or celebrate. MF Sushi’s chef Kinjo prepares a special Omekase dinner, a prix-fixe multicourse Japanese meal for up to eight people. They’re known to be an unforgettable experience – matched with an unforgettable price. At $250 per person, the set price covers the meal, which can range anywhere from 16 to 20 courses and includes sake pairings – though it does not include tax or gratuity. The Omekase dinners are offered twice monthly on the second and fourth Fridays, and when I inquired, I was told the next available dinner is June 24. I have yet to splurge, but I am definitely saving up for one. In the meantime, MF offers a lunch special for $15 to $20 per person, a good alternative to that $250 price tag.

► Sushi House Hayakawa (Suite A10, 5979 Buford Highway, Atlanta; 6 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 4-9:30 p.m. Sunday) – Last but certainly not least, this one may be my favorite. It can be a little pricey as the small dishes do add up, but I have never felt anything is overpriced. The restaurant has a homey Japanese atmosphere much like Sushi Yoko, and is hidden in yet another uninspiring shopping strip on Buford Highway, but it’s an absolute gem. Chef “Art” Hayakawa used to work at the MF Midtown location before living his dream and opening his own restaurant a few years ago. Art also flies in fresh fish from Japan, so his ingredients, like his establishment are top notch.

So next time you’re taking a road trip to Atlanta and have a craving for some great sushi, check out one of these three restaurants – I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do.

• Vena Kim, owner-operator of Yoguri, is a self-confessed foodie on a mission to spread the word about good food.

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