Doraku Sushi general manager Alvin U brings magic to Buckhead Atlanta.
Alvin U, general manager of Doraku in Buckhead Atlanta and former magician, brings a sense of wonder to the Japanese sushi spot where he works. Born in Hong Kong, U started learning magic at age 9 and by 15, he was performing at hotels and events. When his family moved to the U.S. in 1991, he was impressed with the entertainment at Benihana, then a part of the Aoki Group, which owns Doraku. He started as a management trainee and never looked back. Today, U serves as director of marketing for Aoki in Miami, as well as general manager of Doraku in Buckhead, where he is responsible for hiring and training employees. Here, U shares details about his past, present and future.
How did you make the transition from magic to restaurants?
While visiting Benihana with my parents, I saw the chef entertaining customers and juggling and doing stuff like that. He told me they were hiring management, so I was interested. After training in Oregon, I moved to Monterey Bay, California, as general manager of the Benihana there, and then to Indiana. I never worked as a chef, but I was involved in approving the chefs’ readiness to cook and perform in Doraku Sushi general manager Alvin U brings magic to Buckhead Atlanta people become professionals. I do magic for the little ones who come in to dine with us. I use sake cups for the classic Cups and Balls trick where you stack the cups, tap them, open the top one and find that the ball has gone down inside the first cup. I usually use restaurant stuff like chopsticks and napkins, rather than magic props.
When did you move to Atlanta?
I moved to Atlanta in November of last year, but I helped with the beverages at Benihana here from 2005 to 2007, too. My family is still in Oregon because my daughter is finishing high school, so I see them for a week about every two months. (I have an 8-year-old son, too.) They came to visit during their winter break in December.
What do you do in your spare time?
I haven’t had much of it lately, but I play tennis when I have a chance. In Miami, I go to the beach and for bike rides.
Tell me about your work at Doraku. How does magic fit in?
My favorite part is meeting new people and training them. It’s amazing to see people become professionals. I do magic for the little ones who come in to dine with us. I use sake cups for the classic Cups and Balls trick where you stack the cups, tap them, open the top one and find that the ball has gone down inside the first cup. I usually use restaurant stuff like chopsticks and napkins, rather than magic props.
What’s your favorite magic trick?
Well I do everything from kids’ birthdays up to illusion. My favorite trick is electric sawing through the neck. I’ve been doing it since age 20.
What’s next for you? Are there more Aoki restaurants in the works in Atlanta?
I also oversee Qing Mu, our Chinese noodle concept, in Buckhead Atlanta. If we were to open another restaurant here, it would probably be a teppanyaki spot [like the one] we have in Miami, called Aoki.
STORY: Carly Cooper
PHOTO: Sara Hanna
