Chatter

By Deb Connell

February 28, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Soto is the BEST Japanese Restaurant in the entire Atlanta metro area. It’s a huge loss!

By Deb Connell

February 28, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

It’s a huge loss!

By BullDawg Rick

February 28, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Soto’s is closing??? OMG!!!

Prey tell, what’ll we do now??

Geez, does this really warrant front page newz?? Must be a “REAL” slow newz day in the ATL…

By John Cocktoastin'

February 28, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

Who gives a rats a*?

By mxophers

February 28, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

Not the best, only went there once, very disorganized, food ok.

By David

February 28, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

Soto who? If it is such a huge loss, and supposively the best Japanese restaurant in the Southeast, why on God’s earth have I not heard about it until the week of closing?!?!

By dancer

February 28, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

never heard of the place

By Dana

February 28, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this

This is such a shame. I only had the blessing of going to Soto three times, and I regret that I was never able to take my new husband there. If I had known it was closing today, I would have taken him this weekend.

I’ve eaten sushi from dozens of places all across the US, from sushi masters straight from Japan, and Soto was one of the best. Artful, fresh fish, and top quality. I never thought the service was bad - the place is so small and cozy, and I knew it would be worth the wait.

Good luck in New York - if he can make it there, he can make it anywhere, but I don’t know how he can open a “smaller” place up there. The place he has now is smaller than my living room - and I’m in a 1-bedroom apt.

By Mike

February 28, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

I went there when it first opened years ago and the service was so incredibly horrible, I never returned.

By Darwin

February 28, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding? Never heard of Soto? You must live and work in Gainesville or something. It’s in the heart of Buckhead and is/was the best sushi restaurant in Atlanta.

If you never went, you have missed a good thing.

By Marc

February 28, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

I will not miss it>

By Joe

February 28, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Soto’s outstanding sushi and wonderful staff will be sorely missed. Atlanta looses another great chef! What a loss!

By john

February 28, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

too bad the place is closing, I have never heard of it… If I had i may have tried it.

By jeff

February 28, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

So-who???

By dini

February 28, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

who’s soto and who cares.

By Jon

February 28, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

Ya’ll must really be bored down there at the AJC. Isn’t there anything better going on?

By Mike

February 28, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

Those of you that had never heard of Soto’s must either have been living under a rock for the last 11 years or just not like Japanese food. The man was as good as any sushi chef ever to appear on the Food Network and without the prima donna complex. Those that knew his food will try to drown their sorrows at Seeger’s (or someplace similar) and those that don’t know any better will continue to eat dollar sushi at Ru-san’s.

By Haywood

February 28, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

Ate there three times and the last time I was there, it took the staff 45 minutes to take our drink order. Our entire meal was over three and a half hours and I decided to never go there again. Food was awesome, though.

By Russell Crowe

March 1, 2006 05:11 AM | Link to this

Is Pam Martin old or what? And what is up with Aunt Bessie or is that really Monica Kaufman on WSBTV2 news this morning?

By DO

March 1, 2006 07:27 AM | Link to this

Worst service ever…good riddance

By h_charles

March 1, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this

I’ve eaten at all the sushi places in Atlanta, and none compare to New York. Pieces are small, fish isn’t fresh enough. Sotto was one of the best Atlanta’s poor market had to offer, but the service was dismal at best. Never have I eaten at such a place with such shoddy and arrogant service. If you can tolerate snooty waiters, waiting an hour or so for food that comes to you in fits and starts (often times your dining partner is done eating before you get your food even arrives), the sushi was certainly excellent for Atlanta or tolerable for New York. There is no way he will make it in New York. All of the sushi in Manhattan is much larger and of greater quality at the same price. Plus no New Yorker will ever put up with the interolable delays in getting your food.

By lilly

March 1, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

he is one of the finest sushi chefs in america. it is atlanta’s loss- there isn’t a sushi establishment that even comes close! often atlanta doesn’t appreciate it’s own assets- sports teams, chefs etc. if he finds a home in ny- we will visit his restaurant there! thanks soto for your committment to excellence!

By Koyaanisqatsi

March 1, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Thanks Soto, exceptional Sushi…for Atlanta that is. Good luck now that you’re leaving the culinary bush league and going to the big show. Will definitely check you out in the big rotten apple.

By sonny

March 1, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this

I’ve had sushi from New York, LA, San Francisco, Hawaii, Tokyo and all parts in between and Soto was by far the best except for Tokyo. Many people have not heard of it because Soto believed the food should speak for itself which it did. Soto is a true master at work, he was Atlanta’s equivalent of the “soup nazi.” And I mean that as a huge compliment. He was an artist that suffered and tormented over his food, so much so that he closed the restuarant down and took a one year hiatus. When you went to Soto it was like going to an art gallery except the medium you were experiencing was not paints or sculpture, but food. He is not a chef, but a true artist. The reason why the food took a while was because Soto created each dish himself, he could not fathom having something served in his restaurant without himself personally making sure everything was done to his exact specifications. Plus the waiters always made sure to tell you that it would take longer than accoustomed. Those of you that have experience Soto consider yourselves lucky, those of you that did not, well you missed out on one of the worlds best chefs and he was here in our own backyard.

By michael

March 1, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

A true loss to the Atlanta dining scene. Some of the most exquisite tastes and textures I have ever had the pleasure to experience. It’s easy for people to slag on the AJC for covering this by referring to a “slow news day” because they do not know what they’ve missed out on. Thank you Chef Soto-san!

By granny

March 1, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

Us poor folks out in the burbs don’t get into Atlanta much.

By S

March 1, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

The guy that said Soto will never survive in New York - too funny! He is already better than all but a handful of places there, and he will only get better now that he won’t have to cater to people who come in only for roll sushi. His tasting menu, which was a failure in Atlanta for a lack of market, will be a huge hit in NYC.

Soto was by far the best sushi Atlanta had. As far as chefs in Atlanta go, he was among the elite.

The service was poor for a top restaurant. It wasn’t that they were rude or arrogant though. Just short staffed. And the wait time was a result of Soto and his staff hand making everything. If you ever sat at the sushi bar, you’d know it wasn’t for a lack of effort.

I can understand that some may not care for the level of service. Compared to a place like Bacchnalia where the service and speed of the meal are terrific, Soto looks bad. But Soto can be a far more intimate experience. One could sit at the sushi bar, and you could watch a master at work. He was also a funny and engaging man if you ever talked to him. It’s a completely different experience at Soto. You don’t go in there for the service. You go for the food, which was, again, the best sushi in the city.

Soto will be missed. I am confident in saying that no restaurant in Atlanta has as rabid a customer base as Soto. I went twice in the last three days he was open, and that was on the low side for the people who were there.

By S

March 1, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

And to the guy who commented that the AJC must be slow to cover this, one of Atlanta’s top ten restaurants just closed. If that isn’t news for the dining section, I don’t know what is.

By David

March 1, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

A great chef yes A lousy restaurant - yes You need both if you want steady appreciative clientale. I went several times, sushi was great but ultimatel not worth the hassle

By john

March 1, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

it will not be missed. the service was haughty and extremely slow.

By john m.

March 1, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

it will not be missed. the service was haughty and extremely slow.

By john m.

March 1, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

it will not be missed. the service was haughty and very slow.

By Dave

March 1, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

Oh no! I can’t believe it!

What will us snooty foodies do with ourselves now? Someone point me to the nearest overpriced trendy place, please.

Seriously, how much disposable income will the “beautiful people” of Atlanta blow on food? I’m glad to be one of the stupid, clueless simpletons that lives OTP and actually shops at somewhere like Publix to buy food that I fix at home. I simply can’t afford to blow all my money to make a “statement”.

By Phyllis

March 1, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

I am devastated. It was the best sushi I have ever eaten anywhere. It was a culinary experience unlike any other. I am going to have to fly to NYC to eat my sushi at a 20-seat sushi bar now. I didn’t even know it was closing—I wish we could have gone back for one last meal this week.

By John E.

March 1, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

A limited-clientele restaurant-closing is NOT Page-One news. Especially one that most AJC readers never patronized.

By Trace

March 1, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

Soto is a legend, a genius and a truly great guy. He was always willing to share a smile or a conversation with anyone who respected that he was working and needed to concentrate. The temperamental thing is way overblown.

I went twice in the last week and didn’t go a third time because I heard him racking his brain for a way to squeeze in desperate regulars before he closed. He even brought in chairs from home on the last night to accommodate one couple. I think most people overlook how much he cared about his customers.

Being there during those last few nights was amazing. Everyone at the bar developed a kinship, talking about our favorite dishes and Soto moments. I will always be grateful that he made Atlanta his home for as long as he did.

If you think the service was too slow — go to McDonalds

If you think the service was too haughty —go to TGI Fridays

If you think the sushi is better in New York — go there

If you want a California roll — just go away…

By Trace

March 1, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

oh yeah, and..

If you have never heard of Soto — go away

By mary

March 1, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

I had the pleasure of taking my husband there when Soto was doing his special menu - just like eating an aquarium! The ‘spoons’ were fabulous. I will miss it. I do find MF Sushi in midtown pretty comparable - better sake list.

By Mike

March 1, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

I don’t eat sushi so who cares? It’s only a restaurant.

By Sandra

March 1, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

It’s always sad when a superior chef and restaurant leave Atlanta. We are a city that is becoming well known for it’s good restaurants and some have been ranked nationally. When we loose one of the best in it’s category, you have to wonder why. Why did he come to Atlanta to begin with and why is he leaving? Anyway, thanks for the great ride.

By TL

March 1, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Was an irregular customer at best, usually going to an sushi bar I’ve been a customer at for many years. However, I was fortunate to have dined there occasionally since ‘96. Always exceptional, a reference for other dining. I heard about the closing from Taka’s newsletter and hoped to go one last time, but had the flu the last week. Will be greatly missed in Atl.

By Terry

March 1, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

Was an irregular customer at best, usually going to an sushi bar I’ve been a customer at for many years. However, I was fortunate to have dined there occasionally since ‘96. Always exceptional, a reference for other dining. I heard about the closing from Taka’s newsletter and hoped to go one last time, but had the flu the last week. Will be greatly missed in Atl.

By Terry

March 1, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Was an irregular customer at best. However, I was fortunate to have dined there occasionally since ‘96. Always exceptional, a reference for other dining. I heard about the closing from Taka’s newsletter and hoped to go one last time, but had the flu the last week. Will be greatly missed in Atl.

By John Kessler

March 1, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

To the folks who wonder why the AJC thought the story of Soto was front page news:

I wrote a short brief about Soto closing for Tuesday’s paper. The link to that story become one of the most clicked-on items on our web page that day. I think it may have even been #1 for a while. So it seemed to us that there were a lot of people who wanted to find out more about the closing of this special restaurant. Thanks.

By Kay

March 2, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this

Thank you, Trace for saying what I wanted to say so eloquently.

My husband and I went there hundreds of times over the past ten years. We’re not rich folks, but the food, the atmosphere, the wonderful staff and Soto’s kind presence made ever penny worth it.

We went the last night and it was such a bittersweet experience. The food was absolutely ever bit as good as ever, but the sadness of losing our favorite place in the world could not be overlooked. We will miss his Japanese food and his sushi.

And, yes, Trace is absolutely correct that Soto is a wonderful guy who truly cared for the many dozen regulars who loved his food, his restaurant and his servers.

By Yvette

March 2, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Soto was one of the best restaurants not only in the U.S.A but in the world. I’ve eaten sushi at 7AM from the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. I’m here to tell you it’s really something special about the way Soto creates his edible art. I am very sad to see him go. He was a perfectionist in every way. My husband and I look forward to seeing him in NYC and wish him the best. We love you Soto!!

By DocB

March 2, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Chef Soto’s closing is an overwhelming loss for the Atlanta culinary world. For those of us who love and respect true creativity in conception and preparation as well as true passion for excellence and quality in ingredients in food and food preparation.

Sotos was not a “sushi bar” but a restaurant where i could enjoy the freshest fish and seafood creatively conceived then carefully hand prepared by one of the true masters of the cuisine. Each meal at Soto’s was a pleasure well worth waiting for each time and an unbelievable bargain in the price!

I am truly sorry to those too busy to enjoy, too inexperienced in food to discern, or too self absorbed to appreciate his mastery. Take the time. Focus on the food conception, preparation and ingredients. Absorb the experience when you have such a chance.

I fear this may be the first of many such losses if the Atlanta community and media fail to appreciate and support those individual artists/chefs who step beyond the mundane.

By Sandy

March 2, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

Soto voce

By Sandy

March 2, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know if Bush eats Sushi? We already know he eats bush.

By Sandy

March 2, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

I hear that Soto will open a Japanese Hibachi restaurant in NYC and will personally flip the shrimps!

By Jared

March 3, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

Soto was the best sushi atlanta had to offer, and having lived in new york city my whole life (except the few years I was in Atlanta) and traveled throughout the world, I can say no one else compares with such creativity. Yes I drove from Long Island, NY just for dinner and then drove right back and it was worth it (over 30hrs of driving). For those of you who think there is a place better in NY, post it, I’ll go eat there and let you know..Some places I’ve eaten in ny include Sushi yasuda, nobu, jewel bako, sugiyama, sushi of gari, poke, tomoe, blue ribbon sushi, kai, masa, etc..and NONE compare to soto, so as far as soto making it in ny? there’s no one to stop him…GOOD LUCK SOTO! SEE YOU SOON!

By jc

March 3, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Losing Soto is not losing “just another sushi restaurant”. Soto’s list of Daily Specials are what made him a unique talent. Anyone who went there for a californian roll, or some simple tuna or salmon nigiri, was missing the real reason for putting up with the waits and sketchy service. Lobster with Uni Mousse … Salmon Ceviche, Shima Aji Carpaccio … tell me where I can find those dishes somewhere else in Atlanta? Tell me where I can find those dishes anywhere else in the world except under the skilled hands of Soto himself. I will make a special trip to NYC once he establishes himself there.

By js

March 6, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

I agree with those who exalt Soto’s cuisine and mourn the great restaurant’s closing. Eating there was always a sublime experience. For those who appreciate japanese food there is absolutely no alternative in Atlanta. Perhaps more surprisingly, there are very few alternatives anywhere - maybe a few in Tokyo and one in New York.I also agree with those who will miss Soto the person as much as Soto the genius chef. The food was, after all, a reflection of the acutely intelligent, sensitive and complex man who created it and is the reason why the closing is such a griveous, irreplacable loss.

By Teresa

March 19, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

My Japanese mother and I made the trip from Birmingham several times a year over the last 4 years to eat at Soto’s. I came into town last weekend (for business) and was devastated to see that he had closed again. My mom is a perfectionist and very discriminating about sushi, and Soto’s was the only place we’d ever been that she approved of.

I first read about Soto’s in a national food mag (maybe Saveur), which listed his as one of the best sushi restaurants in the US. We were delighted that he was within driving distance. Since our reservations were always for 6pm (so that we could drive home before midnight), we never had to contend with the long wait times. We never experienced anything but good service, impeecable food, and a pleasant greeting from Soto.

We always sat at the bar so we could watch the maestro in action. Frankly, he was so immaculate and perfectionistic, I thought maybe he had suffered a nervous breakdown, so I’m glad to hear his departure was to start a new shop and nothing worse.

I don’t know what we’re going to do now. Soto spoiled us and nothing here in Birmingham comes close.