By Maddie Minton
Just off Clayton St. in Athens, GA sits an unsuspecting restaurant with a dark ambience that contrasts its welcoming chefs. For many, sushi is it’s own food group. It’s a type of food that can be prepared an incorrect way, which could potentially leave sushi eaters unsatisfied. However, Shokitini is an upscale Japanese restaurant that continuously delivers a wide array of quality sushi rolls for a reasonable price.
Walking into this quaint sushi restaurant, I’m greeted by a friendly staff member who gives me the option to sit at a normal table or at the bar. Upon entering its clear Shokitini keeps busy, even on a Tuesday evening. If you’re planning on eating with several others, I recommend sitting at one of their normal tables. However, if you go with just a friend or two, sitting at the bar is a must. If you choose this option you will receive a free salad topped with crabmeat and ginger dressing, free fried mushrooms and fried Oreos for dessert. The menu is set up to where you receive both a laminated menu that describes the several dozen rolls they offer as well as a paper version of the menu and pencil where you can check off the rolls you want. Again, if you’re sitting at the bar the chefs behind the bar make the sushi for you right in front of your eyes – smiling and chatting with you the whole time.
The menu displays a wide variety of classic rolls (California roll, shrimp tempera, tuna tar-tar) but also offers some unique options like fatty tuna, flying fish and sweet tofu rolls. There are also a few rolls that pay homage to The Classic City like the “Dawg Roll” and “Athens Roll.” If you want to try something different, don’t shy away – Shokitini is the place to try it out. They are also specific with what rolls are too spicy, which as someone who finds water too spicy at times, I feel is a nice touch. You can tell they truly want you to enjoy your meal.
If rolls aren’t your jam they also have large meat plates. If you’re visiting with several friends I recommend ordering a few varieties of the large meat plates and splitting it among each other as the portion sizes are heafty. You can have anything from scallops to filet mignon. Also don’t forget to order some noodles, soups and salads for the table. Of course no meal can be complete without treating yourself to a beverage. Shokitini offers all types of non-alcoholic drinks as well as a long list of cocktails, wine and beer. I had my very first cosmopolitan at Shokitini and it was delivered perfectly pink with a heavy hand of alcohol added to it. They also have a cucumber vodka cocktail which is a refreshing treat on a hot summers evening.
Shokitini is refined, hip and clean which is a necessity. Waiters are on the ball cleaning up right after a table leaves and they’re always around if you need something. The several times I’ve eaten there I’ve noticed all types of people dining at their restaurant. Their dining clientele ranges from businessmen, to families to college students. Their prices are unbeatable, with the cheapest roll running you about $4.50 to the most expensive roll getting up to the $17 mark. They also try to give you the biggest bang for your buck by giving you large portions by not skimping out on the “roll” part of the sushi – unlike those restaurants that overdo the rice. Ordering several rolls will fill any hungry sushi-lover. So, next time you’re looking for a delicious, inexpensive but quality Japanese restaurant, look no further than Shokitini.
Photo courtesy of Yelp.
EAThens 