Eight Sushi Lounge now open on Atlanta's Westside

Eight Sushi Lounge, the new venture from the team behind Rice Restaurant in Cumming , has officially opened its doors.

The restaurant, located in The Brady complex at 930 Howell Mill Road NW, close to Ford Fry's The Optimist , is serving up sushi, makis, sashimi and Japanese specialties.

"It brings a different flair to Midtown," said Director of Operations Windy Ho, whose brother, Handy, serves as executive chef, while their parents operate Rice. "Rice is more of a Mom 'n Pop restaurant. We're putting a modern twist on classic, old-time favorites."

The interior of Eight Sushi Lounge.

To that end, Eight features new specialty rolls including the Westside --  flash-fried tuna, salmon, yellowtail and cream cheese rolled with rice and a splash of sweet ponzu -- and the Windmill -- spicy yellowtail and tempura crunch rolled with a mixture of spicy tuna and crab salad, finished with cajun-seasoned lotus chips. The menu also features entrees including miso seabass and seared scallops; appetizers including kani sunomono and the Eight "Madame" salad; and several nigiri presentations.

Eight got its liquor license over the weekend, and its beverage program features more than 20 kinds of sake, several local and Japanese beers and whiskeys and an extensive cocktail list. Windy, a master sake adviser, worked with sake sommelier Koji Aoto to refine the sake menu and develop a private label sake for the restaurant.

To celebrate the opening, Eight is offering free commemorative glasses with any beer order from 5-10 p.m. tonight and 5-11 p.m. Friday.