Jinya Ramen Bar Review - Atlanta / Sandy Springs

JINYA Atlanta ~ Sandy Springs
TEL : 404-600-6974
5975 Roswell Road, Suite B217
Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328

My foodie friend Alma and I tried Jinya with her friend Flor the other day. Alma covered the bill. I'll have to treat her next time. Here is my review!

What did you order? How was your food?

I ordered Chicken Won Ton Ramen, and Alma ordered the Spicy Chicken Ramen. I got a Pork Chashu Bowl on the side, and Alma got Pork Gyoza. We both had side salads. Flor had a Pork Chashu Bowl. We got Green Tea Mochi for dessert.

I have never tried a "real" ramen bowl before. I've only had Maruchan or Nissin in the past. I remember loving my chicken ramen cup at the ice skating rink when I was a skater. Ramen is delicious - salty and savory, especially when you are cold. Jinya Ramen was a delightful new experience for me. The broth was flavorful, the noodles cooked perfectly, and the wontons delicious. The scallions and spices were just right. We all adored the pork chashu, gyoza, and the dessert mochi!

Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received? 

Young, super-friendly, helpful and professional waiters.

What do you think of the décor and atmosphere? 

Modern, causal, simple and beautiful like Japanese style. The restaurant was very busy. There was a line, but we were helped promptly and seated. We sat outside, and it was windy and chilly, but the ramen warmed us up.


Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not? 

I don't know, ask my friend Alma! She paid. I'm just kidding, it is very reasonable for such tasty food.

This restaurant is best for... 

Business Lunches, Casual Dining, Healthy Fare


Final Review

Atlanta Foodies gives Jinya Ramen 5 peaches for giving us a delicious, authentic, Japanese Ramen experience in the south. Thank you, Jinya! We'll be back soon!

Fogo de Chao vs. Fire of Brazil - Churrascaria Throwdown!

What did you order? How was your food?

Both Fogo de Chao and Fire of Brazil are Brazilian steakhouses called “churrascarias” with prix fixe menus. For a set price, you have unlimited access to the salad bar, unlimited sides, and unlimited meat. Both restaurants provide you with a red light/green light device, which you display according to whether or not you would like the gauchos to bring you more meat. We went to Fogo de Chao in Buckhead, and Fire of Brazil by Perimeter Mall. Now, I hate to give a negative review, and I will let you know if somehow I change my mind, but after dining at both restaurants, I have to say that Fogo de Chao is much better than Fire of Brazil. Maybe other locations are different, though.

The salad bar at Fogo de Chao is wonderful and impeccably presented with smoked salmon, fresh buffalo mozzarella, and various gourmet salad ingredients. I especially enjoyed the pesto vinaigrette. The Fire of Brazil salad bar was similar, but we noticed that the asparagus appeared to be a bit brown, and it did not look as neat and fresh as Fogo's.

The meat menu is very similar at both restaurants. Sides at Fogo are much better – both have delicious cheese rolls, but Fogo’s warm polenta, cheese-topped mashed potatoes, and most of all fried bananas – beat Fire of Brazil’s average beans, yucca and rice. The yucca was interesting, though. We had a wonderful drink at Fogo that was like a Brazilian mojito. It was called a “caipirinha.” Verrry strong, but delicious!

Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

Fogo de Chao’s service is perfect! It seems that the service is choreographed by a coach, because there are never any lapses where you are thirsty or lacking sides or meat.

On the other hand… we were disappointed with Fire of Brazil’s service. We arrived about an hour before they closed, and there were several other couples and one very large party of about 12. The other couples filtered out, and soon it was just us and the large party. Drinks were not refilled consistently, but the worst part was that our green lights were displayed, and the meat stopped coming! Our server did not come over for about ten minutes, and when she did we requested the specific meats we wanted, but then it took about 15 to 20 minutes to get them.

I guess they ran out of meat and just figured we were done since the large party was done. There were at least 30 minutes until close at this point. Well, that is not the way churrascarias work! Also, several servers were just standing around near the kitchen entrance gabbing. Our experience started out well, but then it just went downhill.

What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

Fire of Brazil does have a nice atmosphere. There is an stone fire pit in the center which gives off a nice glow, and the décor is charming. Still, Fogo de Chao’s décor is top notch. It is on a higher level of dining, even though the price is about the same!

Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

Fogo de Chao – yes, definitely! We go back there at least once a year.

Fire of Brazil – no, definitely not. I have to be honest - we will not be back, and I don’t recommend it.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

Fogo de Chao – 10 for everything.
Fire of Brazil – 4 for food, 3 for service.

This restaurant is best for...

Fogo de Chao – great for special occasions, nice dinners, and especially meat lovers! It’s Disneyworld for carnivores – Meatworld!

STRAITS Atlanta

Straits
793 Juniper Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-877-1283
M-Sat open at 5
Sunday Brunch 11-3
http://www.straitsrestaurants.com/




What can I say besides "YEAH!" With Straits Restaurant's opening, Atlanta superstar Ludacris and Chef Chris Yeo have struck San Francisco gold right here in midtown Atlanta.

Take a look at Chris "Ludacris" Bridges' bio, and you may be awestruck by all of his accomplishments. Personally, I adore his amazingly catchy songs, thought his acting was great in Crash, and love that he has collaborated with another of my favorite artists, Kylie Minogue. But Luda has even more creativity to share, as evidenced by the success of his wonderful new Singaporean restaurant, Straits. Ludacris was so impressed by Chef Yeo's Straits location in California that he just had to bring it to Atlanta for all of us to enjoy. Thanks, Luda!

My husband Dan and I dined at Straits recently, and we both agreed that the cuisine and the atmosphere were phenomenal. Not to mention that we got to meet Ludacris and Chef Yeo! We also met the sous chef, who was very pleasant and charming as well. Decor, I would describe as modern Asian done in lush, varied textures, with a theme of dark burgundy.

Kung Pao Chicken Lollipops at Straits

Okay, I did not think that I would be the type to be starstruck, but I was. Luckily, I was brave enough to say something when Ludacris checked on us. My husband talked to Luda about the cuisine. I managed to stammer out that I loved his earrings. They must have been 100 carats. Seriously! And I got his autograph!! We got to meet Ludacris' mom, too. It was her birthday, and it was really wonderful that she took the time to make sure we were enjoying ourselves.

Anyway, by talking with Ludacris, we discovered that his favorite dish at Straits are the Kung Pao Chicken Lollipops pictured above. We tried some, and they were delectable. Much neater than a chicken wing! I never eat chicken wings because they are so messy. We also had Roti Prata and Samosas for our appetizers, Indian dishes that were familiar, yet updated in Chef Yeo's talented hands. See, that's why this Singaporean thing is so great. You can have Indian, Chinese, and Malaysian food all at the same restaurant!

We tried a Passion Fruit Margarita that was refreshing and sweet, and some lovely Sauvignon Blanc. Other dishes we tried (all exquisite) were Mix Satay, Vegetarian Egg Rolls, Seafood Curry, Lobster Pad Thai, Tamarind Beef, and Crispy Whole Chicken. Dan told Ludacris that his favorite was the Tamarind Beef. It was fantastic. It was tangy, rich, and cooked perfectly. Sauces at Straits are some of the best I have ever had. There were chili sauces and yellow and green curries.

The Lobster Pad Thai was another stand-out (see below). And our dessert was delicious, too! We had a French Kiss - strawberry ice cream with chocolate cake and strawberry sauce. I joked with Dan that the French Kiss meant that Ludacris would come out and kiss you. This upscale, gorgeously-decorated restaurant is already a hotspot on the Atlanta dining scene. I will definitely be back for dinner and to try the Sunday brunch. I would recommend it to anyone. And who knows, if you go, you just may see Ludacris, too!

Lobster Pad Thai at Straits

Chili Crab at Straits