Neko is a chill step into the high-budget omakase scene - Review - Atlanta - The Infatuation

"Dinner for two at the city’s top omakase counters can cost as much as a sale fare from Hartsfield to Haneda. So at $150 per person, Westside’s Neko is a smart deal—especially since their 13-course meal cherry-picks from the most popular dishes from Omakase Table and Ryokou (both from the same team). Consider it a teaser to the more exciting feature-length films—there are fewer courses and slightly lower-grade ingredients. You might not get enough food to fill you up, but the experience is still charming. The chef spreads his attention to everyone at the 12-seat counter, while he filets, grills, and plates. The nigiri is sliced and scored in a manner that makes it almost liquefy once it hits your tongue. And between the spacious room, gorgeous ceramic plates, and a waitstaff so attentive they probably dabble in telepathy, Neko is a good choice. Come for a special date or celebration since there are few places that offer this type of VIP treatment for the price. photo credit: Tabia S. Lisenbee-Parker photo credit: Nina Reeder video credit: Nina Reeder Pause Unmute Food Rundown Omakase The show starts with the monkfish liver pâté—the salty, savory, and impressively smooth staple dish from Omakase Table. All the nigiri, which change by the season, are good, as expected. But the seared awabi course brings out the most flavors with a nice mix of savory chewiness from the abalone, sweetness from lime, and a little heat from a dap of chili oil on dry-roasted mushrooms. photo credit: Nina Reeder" - Nina Reeder