A Bite from Stäge Kitchen & Bar

TAKE-OUT BITE: Simplicity, when well-constructed, creates a lasting impression.

Proper etiquette dictates that when an appetizer is served, it is passed around the table. But when I order Spicy Tuna Bites at Stäge, etiquette be damned. They are mine, all mine. That is non-negotiable. Stäge's menu describes their Spicy Tuna Bites as Crispy Rice, Spicy Tuna, Serrano, Sriracha, Fire Kabayaki, Rice Pearls, Micro-Cilantro. 

Essentially, a flavor explosion in your mouth. 

By design, these tuna bites are to be enjoyed in one bite. However, I like to cut each of the five in half so I can savor the plateful for a longer period of time. The perfect chopstick moment, the bite (or half-bite, if you will) takes a brief dunk in soy sauce. The first thing you notice with the first bite is the amazing texture of the crispy rice. As its name suggest, there is an enjoyable crunch. After encountering the outer crispy layer, the sushi rice is just the right amount of chewy that couples with the creamy, smooth texture of the spicy tuna, creating the perfect marriage. Then comes the heat: the marvelous spices with which the chef has mixed the tuna, the sriracha, and the serrano that crowns the top. It's not just the heat that makes this the perfect bite, but the flavor that comes through in the heat that lingers on your tongue for a few glorious moments. 

Though comprised of just a few, simple ingredients, the sushi chef has constructed these Spicy Tuna Bites to be both memorable and craveable. 

In fact, while the rest of Stäge's menu is always tempting, I have visited a couple of times where I enjoyed a serving of Spicy Tuna Bites for my appetizer AND ordered another one for my meal.

Stäge Kitchen and Bar is located in Peachtree Corners, GA, with a second location coming soon to Dunwoody. Stäge claims to offer "...a culinary journey of seafood, steak, pasta, global tapas, and elevated sushi. The chef-driven menu changes seasonally to incorporate fresh and local ingredients." Some of our favorites from this culinary journey are the Waygu Sliders, Seafood Gumbo, and Crab Stuffed Salmon. 

Sushi masters work tirelessly behind a visible sushi counter and create other sushi masterpieces besides the Spicy Tuna Bites. The Smoking Gun shrimp tempura sushi roll is particularly delectable. 

The sushi counter isn't the only feature in the spacious dining room. An enormous bar takes up a good portion of the space and offers generous seating, while there is also ample seating in the dining room, on the patio, or in the private dining area. Throughout the space is an air of trendy casual. It's evident everyone is there to enjoy an exceptional meal out, and Stäge will deliver...just make sure you begin your meal with some Spicy Tuna Bites! 

Always Judge a Place By Its Bite

TAKE-OUT BITE: The bite you remember is often the one you weren't expecting.

Ashta Bil Asal.
Ammoora's menu describes it as Milk Cream, Honey, Pistachio, Arabic Cotton Candy, Rose Petals. 

Unusual? Yes. Unexpected? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely! Sweet but not cloying, it's an elegant balance of unique textures and flavors that perform a little dance on your tongue. In that first bite, the dry, airy strands of the spun sugar mingle with the floral notes of the rose petals and honey before meeting the nutty crunch of the pistachios. Then comes the silky, smooth, cool cream, and your mouth tells your brain this is the one of the most unique, unforgettable desserts you've ever encountered.

Ammoora is located in the Ritz Carlton in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. It invites guests to experience, "An immersive destination for modern Syrian cuisine. From the design of the rooms to the rhythm of the meal, nothing is accidental." That intention was felt from start to finish. From Hummus and Baba Ghanouj to Lamb Shank and Mediterranean Tenderloin, the meal was delicious, culminating in that unforgettable dessert. Flowy curtains soften the space, creating a sophisticated ambiance, and the service is outstanding.

On more than one occasion, I have said:

I would return to Baltimore solely to dine at Ammora again.

There is one other place in this world (so far!) that Mark and I return to again and again, primarily because of the restaurants: Cancun. Of course, the clear, turquoise waves that kiss the white, sandy beaches beckon to us as well!

Conversely, the country we will likely not return to is Spain. The bland, lackluster cuisine, coupled with the fact that restaurants open about the time I am contemplating bedtime, make the country less inviting. 

Our philosophy is simple: One bite tells you more than any guidebook. One taste, one meal can open your eyes to culture, creativity, and hospitality. Food is a universal language because every home, city, and country offers it, and every culture finds a unique way to prepare and serve it. Discovering that connection to food, no matter where we find ourselves, creates understanding and helps build a bond with whoever sits across the table. 

That is why we always judge a place by its bite.