(10/06/2005) Takao Moriuchi combines the art and tradition of sushi making with the showmanship Americans demand. Maybe the Diet Coke roll and the Italian roll seem a little kitschy for the sushi purist, but you can't argue with taste. And Taka gives loads of that out in cold appetizers such as kanisu, his super-fresh crab salad with thin, mildly pickled cucumber slices. The flavor of aji tataki, translucent layers of Japanese jackfish with whispers of sesame, scallion, ginger and soy and bits of ume (tart, perfect pickled plum) is otherworldy, and perfect pillows of dumplings dipped in ripe, pungent ponzu sauce are a nice hot treat if the need for something cooked strikes you. There is really nothing not to like here. Service has grown up as much as Moriuchi has, guiding with every course, offering a sake selection or just being prompt. The restaurant has changed names since this review, but the chef/owner remain the same.

(03/15/2007)Sonya Jones' bakery, Sweet Auburn Bread Company, has known previous locations, but let's hope the tiny shop on Auburn Avenue downtown will be where it finally makes a home. Jones has parlayed a lot of PR mileage from her famous encounter with Bill Clinton, who raved about her sweet potato cheesecake when, as president, he visited Atlanta. Pretty much anything Jones mixes with sweet potato tastes good — a morning muffin is as moist as cake, full of musky flavor and hints of ginger; her sweet potato pie is the best in the area, with firm, fleshy flavor to the custard and a proper flake to the hand-made crust. And her lemon chess ... oh my goodness!