Kobe introduces month of drink deals
On a recent Tuesday, I met with Copper, manager of Kobe Hibachi in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., following the lunch rush. The air was thick with hot griddle perfume. A few late lunchers were just finishing up. They tugged their jackets on and filed out from the hibachi section, nodding to Copper on their way out.
My eyes flicked in the opposite direction, toward the sushi section where celebrity sushi chef Kenny was slicing and dicing as per usual.
Typically when I visit Kobe I talk about the sushi. It is one of my favorite sushi spots in town. The spreads are as beautiful as they are colorful, fresh and delectable. But during my recent trip, Copper wanted to talk about something else. He put his finger in the air.
“Drinks!” he proclaimed.
For the entire month of December, Kobe is running different bar specials throughout the week.
Every Monday, diners can enjoy $1 bottles of domestic beers. On Tuesdays, the bar offers $2 bottles of import beers. Options include Japanese brews such as Sapporo, Kirin and Asahi. Every Wednesday is sake night, featuring small carafes of hot sake for $3 and large ones for $6.
In addition to Wednesday night’s sake special, Kobe features sake samplers every day of the week.
Copper nodded to a trio of sake bottles on display behind the bar. The sampler showcased coconut sake, nigori (also called unfiltered sake), and ginjo-shu, which is considered premium sake.
“It’s very popular! It moves fast,” Copper said. He smiled wide. Overhead, dangling rainbow lanterns cast twinkling shadows across his cheeks. He appeared like a lit-up Christmas tree — which reminded him, it was time to put up decorations. “For that holiday ambiance,” he said. Another couple of customers exited from the hibachi area. Lunch is one of the busiest times of the day, Copper told me. And now, Kobe is helping streamline that midday rush with extra staff during those hours. The customers grinned at Copper. I sneaked another glance at Kenny, who set a plate of colorfully rice-wrapped fish onto the bar.
I’ll raise a dollar beer to that.