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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! Complete Nail Care for Ladies & Gentlemen HOLIDAY DISCOUNTS Now - Nov. 30 25% OFF all services with this coupon. Dec. 1-31 20% OFF all services with this coupon. 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