RA Sake Sushi Social

I create New Year goals rather than resolutions, but this year I made an exception. I resolved to say “yes” more than “no” to activities, ideas, and dates I might otherwise decline or oppose. So, when I saw information about RA’s Sake Sushi Social, I made a reservation even though I’m not a fan of sushi or eating without silverware. Armed with embarrassing chopstix skills, apprehension about eating raw fish, and a (totally legitimate) fear of sake’s effect on my faculties, I enlisted friend AMP to accompany me on this unique date activity.

Andy Palermo, RA’s general manager, led the social, which consisted of 14 people seated at a long table near the open kitchen, by talking about the origins of sushi and sake and by introducing each sake we tasted and the appetizers. He paired each of the three courses—appetizer, sushi, dessert—with a different cold sake. Half the group stepped up to the kitchen to learn sushi rolling from Chef David Lam as the rest of us dug into appetizer plates of wontons, spicy sesame chicken wings and ra”ckin shrimp. Then we switched.

Rolling sushi was both harder and easier than it looks. Chef Lam was entertaining and patient as we struggled, laughing, to scoop out the correct snowball size handfuls of rice and place them according to his direction. In between drinks of sake and a few consistency blunders we created our own sushi rolls. And, damn it, I was proud when I finished, even if my rolls looked amateurish. The hands-on experience was fun! And, unintimidating. Our sushi rolls were made with crab meat, shrimp and cucumber. No funky ingredients or scary fish.

After consuming our hand-made sushi rolls, we capped the dining experience with Sweet Mochi Trio. The traditional Japanese dessert is individual ice cream flavors—mango, strawberry and vanilla—wrapped in sweet rice cake and garnished with kiwi and strawberries.

If you’re looking for a fun, completely unique Atlanta date, make your reservation for next month’s Sake Sushi Social. Cost is $35 per person or $60 per couple and includes appetizers, sushi and sake.

Next Social: Tuesday, February 7th, 7 p.m.

Contact: 1080 Peachtree St. | www.RAsushi.com/atlanta | 404-267-0114

Photo courtesy of RA