luckie’s charm

When you walk into Luckie, the first thing you notice is the décor. Taking a cue from its next door neighbor – the Georgia Aquarium – the entrance (a.k.a., The Ocean Foyer) is swathed in subtle blue up- and down- lights, and features a huge saltwater aquarium containing exotic-looking fish. As you scan the rest of the restaurant, you’ll notice that somebody did a helluva feng shui job here. All of the elements are represented: smooth river rocks encased in metal cages, chocolate-hued wood paneling, sturdy sprigs of lucky bamboo coiling out of frosted glass vases, and well-integrated lighting that slowly pulses from amber, to deep ocean blue, to soft magenta. And if all that wasn’t enough for ya: 4 huge flat screens posted above the open-air kitchen each display images of either news, sports, or Beyonce’s wiggling booty.

Soon after the visual effect hits you, the sensory seduction continues with the irresistible smell of a wood-burning oven wafting from the kitchen. Your mouth will instinctively begin to water before you’ve even glanced at the menu.

The aquatic theme drips onto Luckie’s menu a bit as well, with a full sushi selection and quite a few fish and seafood specialties. The rest of the menu is an eclectic array of sandwiches, brick-oven pizzas, steaks, chops, salads – think oak room fare with a dash of eclectic flare.

I started with the Charm makimono roll – with shrimp tempura, snow crab, avocado, smoked salmon and teriyaki sauce. For my entrée, I went with the shrimp and grits – spicy cheddar grits and shrimp in a lemon butter sauce with bacon, shiitake mushrooms, and tomatoes.

While waiting for the food to arrive, I decided to mosy over to Charm – Luckie’s cute little gelateria and general store – to see what it had to offer. I was instantly hooked by the bright and tempting display of sorbettos and gelatos, and after sampling papaya, raspberry and kiwi, I knew I’d be back for more. The upstairs area of Charm offers seating and two huge windows – one overlooking the aforementioned open-air kitchen, and the other facing the GA Aquarium across the street. A well-stocked magazine rack, as well as newspapers, restaurant merch, candies, juices, and sundries are all neatly and conveniently displayed for perusal or purchase.

On the way back to my table, I took a quick trip to the loo – and what a loo it was. The same futuristic fanciness of the dining area was on display here – it took both me and my friend a few minutes to figure out how to work the faucet. Most impressive was the vanity area – a long row of cylindrical stools with alternating pulses of colored lights glowing up through the opaque seats – the same lights as in the dining area. Man, they really know how to carry a motif.

Back at the table, the paid attractions failed to enthrall. The sushi was solid, but not exactly spectacular. My spicy cheddar grits, weren’t actually spicy at all. They were VERY thick but yielded well to the lemon butter sauce. The bacon was a little under-crisp for my liking, and the shrimp didn’t taste fresh but frozen, which was disappointing for the price. The upside, I suppose, was that there were lots of them; though, I would have been ok with fewer, of better quality. A taste of my friend’s BBQ chicken pizza was even more disappointing. The sauce was weak and a little vinegary, and the toppings had no distinct seasoning. But the crust was good – thin, yet not too crispy.

In my pre-meal wanderings, I’d obviously seen and tasted the best that Luckie had to offer. But hey, if I ever have the need for a scrumptious gelato and a transcendental bathroom experience, I know exactly where to come.

cheers,

k

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