Fresh seafood and rooftop patio at O-Ku Sushi

Creative sushi rolls. Impressively fresh ingredients. Fantastic views of Atlanta from the rooftop bar. Need more reasons to visit O-Ku Sushi? Keep reading about the new Japanese restaurant on Atlanta’s west side.

WHY GO:
Because you’re craving better-than-average sushi, on a rooftop, with a kickass view.

The rooftop patio of O-Ku Sushi (c) Facebook/O-Ku Atlanta

THE VIBE:
Cool and dimly lit, O-Ku is the place to see and be seen on a Friday or Saturday night.

DRINK THIS:
Try a new bottle of sake. Ask your server for a recommendation: The staff is very knowledgeable and knows how to match your taste buds to the flavors of your upcoming meal.

EAT THIS:
Start with the scallop tiradito as your appetizer. This is potentially the best starter I’ve ever had at a sushi restaurant: Raw scallop that’s perfectly torched and served with truffle shavings, caviar and truffle soy. This dish is a must, I tell you!

Hamachi carpaccio (c) Anna Lanfreschi

I also had the hamachi carpaccio, twist pepper roll, barracuda nigiri, and a chef’s tasting of moriawase (mixed sashimi or nigiri platter).

O-Ku is the only sushi restaurant in Atlanta (that I’ve been to) that does nigiri properly: A generous portion of raw fish over a small ball of rice, instead of the other way around. The selection of seafood is also better than at most restaurants: Where else can you find barracuda and jelly fish and bonito all in one night?

Moriawase (chef's tasting of nigiri) (c) Anna Lanfreschi

As you may have figured out by now, I’m a big fan of raw seafood, so all of my recommendations above include raw ingredients. If you’re not a fan, O-Ku does have cooked options you can choose from, like shrimp and crab nigiri/sashimi, as well as hot entrees, some of which aren’t seafood based.

After dinner, be sure to grab dessert or a drink at the rooftop bar.

LOGISTICS:
Located inside Westside Ironworks (next to Barcelona and across from West Egg Cafe), O-Ku Sushi offers complimentary valet parking. It's also within walking distance to great after-dinner places, like Little Trouble and Ormsby's. Oh, and every Monday and Wednesday, all sushi rolls are half price 5-7 p.m.!