By Gisella Brok
On November 14th, 2024, my 18th birthday became the second most exciting thing of the day. What could possibly beat becoming an adult? Eating sushi at Umi.
Located in the heart of Buckhead, it’s no secret Umi serves excellent sushi (seriously, even Reese Witherspoon eats there).
Walking into the restaurant (and escaping from the frigid evening breeze), I was met with a sleek, modern interior. From the inside out, the decor is stylish. On the inside, the golden wire balls decorating the ceiling look more like an art installation at a museum than a sushi restaurant’s decoration. It’s chic, and the darkness of the restaurant only emphasizes them more.
Though the dark atmosphere gives a modern feel, you might need your phone flashlight to see the menu.
Even on a Thursday night, it was packed. Not to mention, the tables are pretty close together…I was squeezing to get between them. That didn’t bother me, though, because it only made me more excited to taste the flavors.
With a menu reminiscent of fine dining, Umi serves everything from traditional maki rolls to house special rolls to nigiri to hot dishes. What did my family and I order? The yellowtail jalapeño, black cod misoyaki, the hurricane roll, and the crunch lobster box.
Drenched in tangy ponzu sauce and topped with hot (burn the back of your throat) jalapeños, the fresh yet rich yellowtail is a must-have. Seriously, I get it every time. The plating alone is a work of art, resembling a flower.
If you’re choosing a hot plate, choose the black cod misoyaki. The grilled black cod, marinated in miso, is so delicate and tender it melts in your mouth like butter. Along with the smoky and charred flavors, it’s dripping with umami while not being too fishy. If you’re unsure about ordering a hot dish, just know that it balances the sushi and adds some variety to the palate.
The hurricane roll was good, but not my #1. The roll includes spicy salmon and cucumber topped with salmon, yellowtail, and avocado, all of which were fresh and delicious. With 8 pieces, it was the perfect amount to share for my party of four.
Unlike the roll, I was surprised by the crunch lobster box. Our friendly and helpful waiter recommended this dish, and we adored it. On the menu, it’s described as “lobster salad with tempura crunch, rice crisp, onion, and mayonnaise topped with tobiko, scallion, and eel sauce.” The description sounds like a mouthful and is a little overwhelming, but the dish is intricate yet simple. The lobster salad was mixed together and pressed on top of crispy rice, so it didn’t feel like I was looking at 20 different things on one bed of rice. Even though the lobster was tempura, the crispy rice added a crunchy texture that elevated the lobster topping, making it cohesive and just plain delicious. Unlike the name, though, it doesn’t come in a box (oh well, it was still yummy!).
If you’re feeling really fancy, opt for the Umi Omakase, a really indulgent experience. Even if you’re daunted by putting your entire meal in the chef’s hands, trust the chef. They really know what they’re doing, and I’ve yet to try something I haven’t liked at Umi.
Walking out into the cold November air, I knew I had picked the best place to spend my 18th birthday. With unparalleled flavors and great company, Umi was perfect for such a big milestone.
