Photograph by Jennifer Zyman.
When chef Taka Moriuchi, a longtime Buckhead sushi fixture, shut down his restaurant, Taka, on Pharr Road earlier this year and moved to Sandy Springs, many loyal fans wondered how he would fair. The new restaurant, located in the same mixed-use development as Tupelo Honey Cafe, does not disappoint. The new space is clean and airy, and there’s even a patio if you would like to dine al fresco as the fall weather cools—whenever that happens. Another perk: Taka is one of the few good sushi restaurants in Atlanta that serves lunch. Always the health-conscious chef, Moriuchi has many different lunch specials with an emphasis on wellness. To keep up with what the chef is cooking, check out his Instagram account, which chronicles his daily specials and musings about life.
If you want to see the new restaurant for yourself, tonight is the perfect opportunity. Every year on National Sushi Day (November 1, not to be confused with International Sushi Day on June 18), Moriuchi puts his sushi on “sale” by giving diners 30% off of their bill. The discount is for dinner only and reservations fill up fast, but Moriuchi says there are still some seats available. In honor of the special occasion, Moriuchi bought wild-caught yellow tail tuna from Japan, which has never purchased for the event, and also has a 200-pound bigeye tuna from Ecuador, live scallop, and wild-caught Oki Aji (Whitemouth jack), which he claims is “10 times better than Shima Aji (horse mackerel).”
Even if you don’t make it to Taka tonight, this is a place you need to keep on your radar the next time you are craving sushi for lunch.
Photograph by Jennifer Zyman.
