Avalon, a new mixed-use development located in Alpharetta, is now home to the latest venture from the Kinjo brothers, Alex and Chris. MF Bar is everything you’d expect from the MF moniker in an abbreviated sushi bar. Just walking through the door, ambience abounds with the beautifully curved wood bar that invites you in.
Tables and a few booths line the outer rim of the restaurant, but the bar is the real attraction here. At the rear of the bar, a wall of sake, wine, and other libations act as both décor and an advertisement of what’s in store. Just below the wall, you catch a glimpse of the kitchen where the sushi and other plates are made. Sad news if you like to watch your sushi being made in front of you, but the quality and service here makes up for it. The staff is very attentive and eager to make suggestions. My server excitingly tells me about the beer options when I ask. She also offers sake pairings. I forgo sake this visit.
My beer of choice tonight, Echigo. Suggested as a more premium option over Ichiban or Sopporo. I still have a spot in my heart for Asahi, but Echigo easily wins me over. Looking over the menu, there are some familiar MF Signatures available at their other location. I start with baked green mussels and a live scallop special. The mussels slide off their shell into a burst of flavor in your mouth. BBQ eel sauce finishes the taste. The scallops, very fresh and tender. Lemon slices give it the right amount of acidity to balance the delicate flavor. For my meal, I order a variety of fish; Yellowtail, Medium Fatty Tuna (Chu-Toro), Salmon, Super Fatty Tuna (O-Toro), Sweet Shrimp, and Japanese Amberjack all nigiri style. Each selection is very fresh and makes me very happy. There’s nothing more enjoyable than tasting fresh fish at a sushi restaurant. So many people are hesitant to try sushi, so if you finally dare to venture out there and end up in a restaurant with not so fresh fish, you can be turned off totally. So be careful out there.
MF Bar is one you can add to your list no matter when you decide to dine, you know the fish is fresh. There are also grill items available on the menu with some hearty options and a nice dessert selection. After the great meal you have here, you may as well light one up and walk around Avalon doing a little window shopping. The end to a perfect evening.
