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Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar b y M a r y We l c h
T here’s one more place to celebrate a last call. Yes, Last Call Restaurant Group, which includes Shades Bar and Grill, Pescado Rooftop Bar, and Southside
Below: Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box with Pipeline Sushi Roll
Slice, has brought Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar under their umbrella of excellent restaurants, with outstanding, creative food, and atmosphere. Shaka Sushi, located in the Shoppes @ Inlet, is quickly becoming the place to hang loose and feel the positive vibes. “We’ve been working day and night to perfect the recipes, sharpen services, and make Shaka extra beautiful inside and out,” says Partner Steven Sapp. “Chef James Sargent, Chef Ken Duenas, and Shaka’s culinary team have created a menu that boasts righteous sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri, small plates and entrees, and of course sake, wine and beer.” The sushi bar is the highlight
similar to wine and beer. Some people know a lot about it and some don’t, but they want to learn. People come in and want to give it a try. So far, they’ve enjoyed the experience.” Currently the restaurant seats 70 people inside and out. The courtyard patio’s roof actually opens, “and you can see the stars, which is so cool,” Sapp says. The sides also come down to protect against wind and rain.
and focus of the restaurant, whose interior was designed by Nina Freer, exudes a very clean, natural design with beautiful earthy elements. “It’s a cool design and Nina did a great job. It’s earthy tones with a lively energetic vibe. It’s more of a fun occasion place then a date night place. It’s sophisticated but doesn’t scream I’m at the beach.” Right now, the eatery is only open for dinner, but eventually will host the lunch crowd. They will also slowly roll out other menu items, but currently noodles and sushi rolls are the star. On the menu are such featured rolls as the Pipeline (inside: tuna, Shaka sauce, tempura, green onions; outside: tuna, avocado, samba and soy reduction); or Bonzai (inside: eel, avocado, Shaka sauce; outside: fish salmon, soy reduction). Classic rolls include California Dreamin’, Crunchy Shrimp and Not so Philly (smoked salmon, cream cheese). Right off the bat, the most popular roll is the Maverick, which features tuna, bacon, Shaka sauce, cream cheese, green onions on the inside and avocado, jalapeño, samba and soy reduction on the outside. When asked what makes a roll work, Sapp offers an unexpected answer. “For me, what makes the roll is the
Another bonus is that Shaka Sushi is part of Last Call Restaurant Group’s new app (found in App Store and Google Play Store) where guests earn a five percent credit to their loyalty account with each purchase and can use at any of the eateries. With an expanded menu, seating and hours on the horizon, it’s still not exactly a last call for this esteemed restaurant group. Fluke Oyster Bar in Inlet Beach should open in 2020 right next door. Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar, 13625 US HWY 98, Suite 5, Inlet Beach, GA. 32461. Monday through Sunday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Call (850) 909-0030 or go to shaka30a.com
rice. Everyone talks about the ingredients — tuna, crab, avocado — but to me, if the rice isn’t perfect, no matter what the ingredients are, it’s not the best.” Other menu items include noodle dishes, “featured bowls”, and nigiri and
sashimi. “We haven’t released the rest of the menu, only a few items,” says Sapp. “It’ll be a few weeks and then we’ll have more traditional Asian-inspired cuisine — or more worldly — cuisine, like beef short ribs, poke dishes, and steak appetizer. We love different cuisines and we’re always changing our menus. We change them every few months to offer seasonal products or just to freshen things up.” Shaka also has an extensive sake menu and sake cocktails. Prices for a 10-ounce Tokkuri bottle range from $9 all the way up to $103. “We have all types of sake. We even have a blueberry and sparkling sake. It’s
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