Newspaper Page Text
Page 8A
The Braselton News
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Social
Japanese steakhouse adds to Braselton’s Asian cuisine
SPECIAL SERVICE
Ninja hostess Hsiang Sun presents menus to lunch patrons Patty
and Richard Weaver, Braselton. The Ninja restaurant recently
opened on Ga. Hwy. 211 in Braselton.
Opening last month in
Mulberry Place shopping
center on Highway 211, the
Ninja restaurant brings new
dimension in both ambi
ance and cuisine among the
growing number of Asian
eateries in the Braselton
area.
The minute you walk in the door
of this restaurant, you’ll experi
ence the same kind of tranquility
that the Japanese perfected in their
gardens, architecture and interior
design. Sound is muffled by low
room dividers, which separate
the spacious facility into smaller
seating areas, and the decor is
enhanced by a subtle soft laven
der, rose, gray and old-gold color
scheme.
The ambiance is further graced
by classic piano music on the
sound system, indirect lighting,
and a collection of distinctively
Japanese artwork that runs the
gamut from Oriental watercolors
to Geisha figurines, carp, bonsai
and silk chrysanthemums.
And just outside, there’s a south
facing deck slated to provide addi
tional dining space by the time
warm weather returns next spring.
But what really distinguishes
the Ninja from other restaurants
that serve a mixture of Japanese
and other Asian fare, is the differ
ent way the food is prepared and
presented.
Customers have a choice of din
ing at the sushi bar, ordering from
the menu at tables, or enjoying the
spectacle of food sliced, diced and
entertainingly served in courses
at the hibachi grill. At most other
ethnic eateries, the only seating
options are tables or booths.
The hibachi grill area is espe
cially popular with younger adults
and children who thoroughly enjoy
dinner with a show. There, spe
cially-trained chefs are not only
talented in cooking, but also in
cooking with visible style — cut
ting, flipping, juggling and setting
portions of the food aflame to the
amusement of onlookers.
In Focus
with Fil
Fil Jessee
filwrites@aol.com
On the other hand, dining at the
grill is kind of like eating at a large
table on a cruise ship. You have to
enjoy sharing the experience with
strangers and, so, less gregarious
patrons prefer the privacy of eat
ing at their own separate table.
Usually, when I choose to enjoy
the exotic foods of any other cul
ture, I expect the place to be
owned and operated by a person
of the same heritage. But with the
Ninja, this kinship between man
agement and the featured cuisine
is absent.
This restaurant is the fourth of
the same name owned and oper
ated by Chinese brothers, Edward
and Steven Sun. But, in spite of
their origin, the Ninja remains
strictly Japanese, not unlike the
internationally famous Benihana
chain, but clearly smaller and
more intimate in every way.
Manager Edward Sun was
trained in the art of Japanese cui
sine at the Ichiban in Osaka, and
several other respected restaurants
in Japan and Taiwan. And, for my
enlightenment, he explained how
the Japanese style of cooking dif
fers from that of other countries of
the Far East.
“It is by far the freshest of all
Asian foods and prepared in the
healthiest manner. We use only
vegetable oil and a lot less of it,
add very little sodium, and don’t
use MSG at all. As a result, our
food is very light, yet flavorful and
better for you,” he said.
After I confessed that all I knew
about the word “Ninja” came from
memories of my son’s childhood
fascination with the “Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles,” he clarified
the significance of his restaurant’s
name as well.
“A Ninja is kind of like a spir
itually-pure Asian version of an
English knight. They were highly
respected as warriors under the
Japanese shoguns,” he said.
Sun ’ s B raselton loc ation employs
two alternating sushi chefs and six
hibachi chefs. The staff represents
a mixture of Japanese, Chinese,
and Indonesian nationalities. It
caters to customers that are typi
cally 80 percent local and 20 per
cent travelers staying at nearby
hotels.
The Ninja is one of the few
Asian eateries in the Braselton
area to offer full bar service and
takes special pride in its “Five
Star” and “Best Sushi” awards
from published restaurant review
ers.
At capacity, it can cater to as
many as 200 patrons indoors, 60
in a private dining area and more
when the outdoor patio is ready
for service next spring.
Although prior to this writing, I
had not enjoyed the pleasure of a
full meal there, Edward Sun insist
ed that I try a sampling of sushi and
a shrimp tempura appetizer during
our interview last week. And
though I don’t consider myself a
bona fide Asian gourmet, I can tell
you it was the tastiest afternoon
snack I’ve had in a long time.
I do look forward to taking my
wife there for dinner on her birth
day and am eager to see how the
patio area shapes up next year.
Hopefully, the owners will design
and decorate it along the lines of
a Japanese tea house garden. The
present landscaping at Mulberry
Place is a little too sparse for my
tastes, and I think a terrace garden
at the Ninja would be a welcome
enhancement to the entire shop
ping center.
In addition to their newest loca
tion in Braselton, the Sun brothers
operate three other Ninja restau
rants in Lawrenceville, Hamilton
Mill and Cumming. All serve lunch
and dinner Sunday through Friday,
and dinner only on Saturday. No
reservations are required but, for
groups of 10 or more, are highly
recommended.
For those who prefer to enjoy
their meal at home, all entrees
and appetizers are available for
take-out. There’s also a children’s
menu suitable for youngsters 12
years of age and under.
Fil Jessee lives in Braselton,
where he works as a freelance
journalist. He can be reached at
filwrites @ aol. com.
Layfield graduates from Army R0TC course
Village Nursing Care offers first aid, CPR
Weston S. Layfield has grad
uated from the Army ROTC
(Reserve Officers’ Training
Corps) Leader Development and
Assessment Course, also known
as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at
Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. The
ROTC cadet has been commis
sioned as a second lieutenant in
the Army.
Layfield is the son of Richard
T. and Jane P. Layfield, Hoschton.
He graduated in 2004 from
Dacula High School. His wife,
Rachel, is the daughter of Jeff
Hale of Mooresville, N.C., and
Mary Youngblood of Dacula.
The 33 days of training provide
the best possible professional
training and evaluation for all
cadets in the aspects of military
life, administration and logistical
support, according to the Army.
Although continued military
training and leadership develop
ment is included in the curricu
lum, the primary focus of the
course is to develop and evaluate
each cadet’s officer potential as a
leader by exercising the cadet’s
intelligence, common sense, inge
nuity and physical stamina. The
cadet command assesses each
cadet’s performance and prog
ress in officer traits, qualities and
professionalism while attending
the course.
Cadets in their junior and senior
year of college must complete the
leadership development course.
Upon successful completion of
the course, the ROTC program,
and graduation from college,
cadets are commissioned as sec
ond lieutenants in the U.S. Army,
National Guard, or Reserve.
NOW OPEN AT DUNCAN’S CORNER!
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7421 Spout Springs Rd. #102
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Across Kroger, behind Waffle House
770-965-5110
Walk-Ins Welcome
Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sun. 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The first of a series of month
ly classes in first aid and CPR
are now available for enroll
ment, with the initial class set
for Saturday, Dec. 1, at Village
Nursing Care in Gainesville.
Participants who complete the
session will be awarded a cer
tificate.
Taught by Michele Brock,
certified by the American Heart
Association, both classes are
open to all ages and require no
prerequisite certification.
The classes are $35 each, or
$50 for both. Class size is limited
and the deadline for registration
is Friday, Nov. 23. Future class
schedules will be announced
later.
The first aid class is scheduled
8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and
the CPR segment is set for 1-5
p.m.
For more information, or to
register, contact Michele Brock
at 770-536-0484. Village Nursing
Care is located at 621 Green St.,
Suite A, in Gainesville.
Village Nursing Care, Inc. is a
licensed private home care pro
vider based in Gainesville and is
an entity of ACTS Retirement-
Life Communities, Inc. The com
pany offers a variety of services
including in-home personal care,
nursing supervision, meal prepa
ration and help with errands.
Have Your New Kitchen
Floor Installed Before
The Holidays!
BRASELTON TILE FACTORY
Tile • Supplies • Installation • Design
9907 Davis Street • Braselton, GA
(at the corner of Hwy. 53 & Hwy. 124)
706-654-0819•770-962-1254
Open Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
MR. AND MRS. HILL
Healan, Hill say
Kristi Nicole Healan and Michael
Jack Hill, Braselton, were united in
marriage September 29, 2007, at
Hamilton Mill Golf Club, Dacula,
with Alan Stevens officiating.
The bride is the daughter of David
and Angela Healan, Braselton. The
groom is the son of Mike and
Wanda Hill, Maysville.
The bride was given in marriage
by her father. Amanda Healan
vows Sept. 29
served as maid of honor and Stevie
Adams and Kelly Garrison were
bridal attendants. Madissyn David
was the flower girl.
Jason Hill served as the best
man. Mack Garrison and Mickey
Boswell were groom’s attendants.
Parker Hill was the ring bearer.
Following the ceremony, a recep
tion was held at the golf club.
The couple resides in Braselton.
‘Ms. Cured for Life’ pageant ahead
Jackson Creative Community
Resource Center will host a
“Ms. Cured for Life” pageant
at 7 p.m. Friday, February 8, at
the Commerce Cultural Center.
Proceeds will benefit the center’s
Relay for Life team. Food ven
dors will be at the event.
Applications will be taken
through December 30, and
forms are available from 2 to
4 p.m. weekdays at Jackson
Creative, 106 Industrial Parkway,
Commerce. Contestants must be
over 21, have a sponsor to pay
the $25 entry fee and sell 10 tick
ets to the pageant. Contestants
need a formal gown, and make
up artists will be available. Each
contestant will receive a free
guest ticket.
A mandatory stage rehearsal
will be held at 6 p.m. Friday,
Feb. 1, at Jackson Creative.
Tickets for audience members
will be $7 in advance, $10 at the
door and $30 for a family of five
or more.
For more information, call
706-335-5379.
Winder author releases inspirational lyrics
Local author Patrick Bentley,
Winder, has released his first book,
a collection of reflections and songs
tided, “The Birth of a Song.”
Published by Tate Publishing and
Enterprises, Bentley’s book con
tains a series of reflections and
lyrics based on his personal experi
ences and biblical study. The songs
were inspired by instances of hope
and redemption through many
years of trials in his life, according
to Bentley.
The book is available at any
bookstore nationwide or can be
ordered through bamesandnoble.
com, amazon.com or target.com.
Audio versions of the book are also
available.
Bentley resides in Winder, with
his wife, Sharlayne, and their three
children, Blake, Holly and Aaron.
FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH,
YOU CAN LIST YOUR GROUP'S MEETINGS!
Let your members know when your group is meeting!
Call (706) 367-5233 to advertise your meeting time, place and date in...
• The Jackson Herald • The Commerce News • The Braselton News
• The Banks County News • The Madison County Journal
Jh UNITY LODGE
F& A.M.
No. 36, Jefferson, GA
1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
A. Ben Wurtz • 706-367-1400
Borders St. behind Tabo’s 260
JEFFERSON ROTARY CLUB
Meets Tuesdays
Jefferson City Clubhouse
12:30 p.m. *(706)654-2237
Clay Eubanks, President
260
A COMMERCE
^AMERICAN LEGION
Commerce Rec. Dept. Post 93
Carson Street - 1st Mon. night
Each Month, 7:30 p.m.
335-6400
BANKS COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
meets first Monday each month
7:00 p.m. in the Banks Co. Historial
Courthouse at 105 U.S. Hwy. 441
North in Homer pd.-2/20os
JEFFERSON
^AMERICAN LEGION
Albert Gordon Post 56
Each 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Harvie Lance, Commander
Phone (706) 654-1274 3io
Georgia Real Estate Investors
Association, Inc. - Athens
Meets the third Thursday each month
7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn
197 East Broad St, Athens, GA 30601
Tom Hewlett - Chapter President
mail to: the wlettl @char ter.net
website: www.gareia.org iq/07
The Jackson Co. Republican Party
Would like you to meet us for
breakfast the second Sat. of each
month, 8:00 at The Jefferson
House. For more information, call
706-652-2967 or email
fishyglass@yahoo.com Pd.os/os
BANKS COUNTY
AMERICAN LEGION
Post 215
Meets each 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m.
In Homer, GA at the
American Legion Building on
Historic Highway 441 Pd.oe/os
rtSyfe, VETERANS OF
‘W FOREIGN WARS
Post 4872, Hurricane Shoals Convention Ctr.
Each 4th Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Mike Buffington, Commander
Phone 706-335-6532 263
JEFFERSON LIONS CLUB
Meets 2nd & 4th Monday
Jefferson City Clubhouse
6:30 p.m. *(706)367-1400
Mark Bradley, President
260