Dining Out
Ice Martini & Sushi Bar, Woodstock
4-11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays; noon-2 a.m. Saturdays.
Soups and salads, $2.50-$12; tapas and seafood, $4.50-$10.50; makimono, nigiri and sashimi, $4.50-$6.50; specialty rolls and combination platters, $8.50-$72; desserts, $6.50-$6.95.
380 Chambers St., Woodstock, 770-672-6334, www.icemartinibar.com
Ice Martini & Sushi Bar recently opened in the bustling downtown condo, shopping and dining nexus around Woodstock’s Main and Chambers streets. Husband and wife owners Danny and Peggy Snow say they wanted to bring a touch of Buckhead to Woodstock with a place that goes from a relaxing drinks and dinner destination on weekdays to a lounge with a dance floor on weekends.
The look: True to its name, the atmosphere is cool, bathed in shades of pale blue and white, and appointed with dangling diamondlike light fixtures and flowing white curtains. A stretch cocktail bar anchors one side of the surprisingly intimate space, with a compact sushi bar across the way. Other seating options include tall bar tables and stools, white leather sofas and chairs, and two VIP sections.
The scene: Depending on the hour and day of the week, the mood can change from easygoing to energetic. One recent Tuesday evening, cozy couples and small parties gathered at tables around the room, sipping drinks and sharing snacks while singer/guitarist Garland Kelley played acoustic rock. After 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, it's a younger dance mix of pop and hip-hop.
The menu: Sushi offerings are balanced by cocktail-friendly small plates such as barbecue pork or teriyaki beef sliders ($8.50), baked mussels ($7.50), and tuna carpaccio ($7.50). Specialty rolls include Ice lobster salad topped with shrimp, avocado and spicy ranch sauce ($13.75), the Snow Roll with smoked salmon, onions and truffle oil topped with lemon and scallops ($15.00), and the Grand Dragon with crab, avocado and cucumber topped with eel ($19.50). The sushi platter for four includes a Rainbow roll and a Shrimp Crunchy roll, plus the chef's choice of 16 pieces of nigiri and 22 pieces of sashimi ($72).
The drinks: No surprise, flavored and classic martinis are the focus at the bar. Favorites include the Dirty Blue with blue cheese-stuffed olives, Cucumber with fresh cucumber juice, and Real Lemon Drop with lemon juice, simple syrup and a sugar rim.
The extras: Look for food and drink specials throughout the week. Girls Night Out on Thursdays features $5 house martinis, sushi specials and acoustic music. Buy a ticket ($25) for New Year's Eve and celebrate with hor d'oeuvres, a champagne toast and a prize-filled midnight balloon drop.
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