All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

Lunch Sashimi Assortment- 4 slices each of: tuna, yellowtail & salmon

RA Sushi

1080 Peachtree St. NE

Atlanta, GA 30309

404.267.0114

www.rasushi.com (link)

I attempt to do a bit of research before visiting a location to shoot.  I believe it to help in obtaining a mindset conducive for achieving optimal photography that is in line with the aesthetic of a restaurant.  So having done some poking around the internets pre-RA-shoot and taking a quick gander at RA’s website revealed in ‘judging a book’s cover’ form, that which is RA.  Based on a franchise chain headquartered in Arizona, and currently fathered by Benihana, Inc., RA makes their web introduction by presenting themselves as a fun, sleek, sexy, cosmopolitan, sushi-bar-restaurant.  By having this persona as a hip, modern, sleek-anese restaurant, I was not surprised upon reading some other blog postings and reviews when the common preemptive disclaimer ,”I wasn’t expecting much…” reared it’s ugly mug.  This bothered me a bit because like the others, I found myself entering, in maybe not the most open of mindsets.  Walking into a place with expectations is a dangerous habit.  We sell ourselves ignorant when this happens and RA proved me wrong.  Granted when I first arrived and was greeted by all the pretty people, housed in an obviously decorated atmosphere, I was on the defensive.  But after spending some time there, my guard dropped. By meeting and talking with some of the staff I started to feel at ease and found myself enjoying the space.  I feel I would be much happier accepting it for what it is and not expecting it to be something I wished it to be.  Sure it may seem like it is trying too hard but RA never fronts about what it is.  It is confident in knowing that it may not supply the sushi purist with a cartwheel inducing meal, but they will do just fine playing hip music, serving the sushi-fused food and drinks they want to and being a place to have fun and not take yourself so serious.  Some of those that walked in with low expectations were pleasantly surprised, others were doomed of mind before a fair chance was had.  But accept it for what it is and you may enjoy some pleasant surprises.

Getting ready for March Madness, RA is introducing ‘Maki Madness’ sushi eating contest with all proceeds being donated to Bert’s Big Adventure.  I have a friend that has some experience participating in Bert’s Big Adventure and she could not speak highly enough about how important her and her daughters’ time on the trip meant to them.  If you wish to be part of a really great, heart touching charity, Bert’s Big Adventure is the place to do it.  Find out more details on Atlanta Dish.

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

'RA'llipop-tuna,salmon,yellowtail,spicy tuna mix, lettuce, asparagus & cucumber wrapped in lobok; served skewered with garlic ponzu sauce

Hot Mess- crispy rice balls topped w/ spicy king crab mix; baked & finished with jalepeno & cilantro

Tunacado-seared ahi tuna dusted w/ Japanese rice cracker bits & black sesame seeds; served with fresh avacado & creamy ponzu dipping sauce

Viva Las Vegas Roll- kani kama crab & cream cheese rolled in rice & seaweed, lightly tempura battered & topped with spicy tuna, kani kama crab mix & sliced lotus root; finished with a sweet eel sauce & spinach tempura bits

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

Aqua Blue

1564 Holcomb Bridge Road

Roswell, GA 30076

770.643.8886

www.aquablueatl.com (link)

Is there notable culinary life outside the perimeter of Atlanta?  Living in the burbs I would suggest so.  Even though the concentration of independent restaurants may be less then in the pit of the peach, there are some juicy pulp options for those that have chosen to shake city living.  Granted these places are often dwarfed and camouflaged by the massive standards of plazas, laced with signage frequently displaying ‘Max’, ‘Depot’, or ‘Mart’.  But for those that snicker when one of us outsiders make reference to our location, you may want to take a look around.  Some of the newer developments that are gracing your prestigious city are looking more and more like the burbs everyday and are including the same generic logos.  Getting past the sliders, spinach dip, and molten lava cake and finding worthy eats in the burbs does take effort, but the hunt makes the kill all the more enjoyable.  Sure we may not be able to walk to such places and that may negate a ‘neighborhood’ feel but parking is hardly an issue and I’ve never had to wonder what that swerving Penske truck is up to and why my back hurts. Don’t get me wrong.  I do enjoy a night ‘in-town’ and relish the vibe of a big city, but let us not forget, nor mock the places that sustain those on the fringe.

Co-founder, Owner and Executive Chef John Metz aims to provide us o.t.p.-ers with a worthy option other than driving into Atlanta to find a decent meal.  Located just off 400, Aqua Blue invites one to “Enjoy our Fresh Seafood and Sushi Prepared Daily, along with our Hand cut Steaks cooked to perfection. Our delicious cuisine can be enjoyed with our Classic Cocktails and Signature Martinis or our extensive Wine List with Over 50 Wines by the Glass.”  Metz brings many years of experience to the table at Aqua Blue and also owns Marlow’s Tavern and Sterling Spoon.
All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass-pan seared, served w/ Baby Bok Choy, sauteed spinach in a lush shitake mushroom broth

Sashimi Combo- Sake Futo Maki and assorted sashimi

Grilled Beef Tenderloin- Yukon Gold Cheddar Potato Cake, sauteed Spinach, matchstick potatoes, and Harvey's Bristol Cream

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

Lamb Chop, Harissa, Feta Salad, Naan Bread

4th & Swift

621 North Avenue NE

Building B

Atlanta, GA 30308

678.904.0160

4thandswift.com (link)

One may never fully understand the farm to table concept until provided the visual aid of  a whole hog spread eagle awaiting preparation.  Sure this may make some squeamish, but in an effort to photograph things culinary, I admittedly felt giddy when Chef Jay Swift told me he had acquired a fine specimen for an upcoming party.  For me personally, there is little distinction between the beauty in imagery that exemplifies the food chain and that of posed and plated dishes lining the pages of magazines and cookbooks.  Whether it is a butcher at work or a lioness chasing an infant gazelle, I find myself awe stricken when I stumble across an opportunity to view how the natural world sustains itself …and hunger quenching sustenance is noticeably easy to land at 4th & Swift.

The former engine room of Southern Dairies in the Old Fourth Ward district of Atlanta is the location of Chef Jay Swift’s culinary abode.  Offering modern American comfort food served with Southern hospitality, this restaurant and bar combo takes these offerings and surrounds them in an updated industrial space.  4th & Swift combines tasteful fabrics and wood tones with concrete floors, found metal beams and exposed original brick to provide an agreeable and laid back atmosphere.  The entire dining room is positioned to view the inner workings of the kitchen through a floor to ceiling glass wall.

Following a farm to table concept, Chef Swift and company provide ever changing seasonal dishes using the “freshest ingredients from local and regional sources including those from all natural and sustainable farmers.”  Over Jay Swift’s 30 year career he has traveled from Baltimore, to Boston, New York City and most recently to the South landing at South City Kitchen in Atlanta, receiving many accolades and much notice.  He has since created 4th & Swift and been involved with some charitable organizations like “Share our Strength” and “Flavors of Atlanta“.

Since the menu is in constant flux, it is recommended you sign up on their email list to receive updates and notice of specials.  Also be on the look out for them at “Fall in the 4th“.

Thanks to Jay, Seth, Jeb and Chrysta for providing their time and expertise.

Wild Stripe Bass, Preserved Lemon Rissoto, Tomato Water, Fennel

Salmon Crudo, Avocado Sorbet, Corn Relish, Cilantro Crema

"Scallop BLT", Seared Diver Scallop, Crispy Pork Belly, Arugula, Tomato Jam

Sugar Doughnuts w/ Peach Jam, Rye Ice Cream

Baked Chocolate Mousse, Bananas, Caramel Ice Cream & Candied Bacon

You still may have time to catch one of these dishes before changing to their fall menu…be “swift” and tell’em you got “spoonfed”.

-sorry for the pun…

All images and words © Mark Petko Photography

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just another pig shot