118 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Early Summer 2018 TheCoastalBend.com Aka Aka Japanese Restaurant For many a traveled food snob, the first factor, and perhaps only factor, in choosing a sushi bar is the presence of real Asians, preferably speaking in a foreign tongue with which you are not familiar. In downtown Corpus Christi, that choice is Aka Sushi, whose native Korean proprietor has a knack for finding some of the best sushi and Asian chefs in the country, who expertly prepare popular and unique creations in fish, eel, shrimp and crab. This small establishment fills up quickly on weekends, so be patient as the wait will be worth it. Chat with the owner and peruse the extensive selection of sushi, sashimi, stir fry, tempura and many other Asian specialties. 415 N. Water St. (361) 882-8885 • $$$ Mamma Mia’s Corpus Christians have enjoyed real Ital- ian cooking, from real Italians by way of New York, for some twenty years at this otherwise low profile downtown eatery. What you expect in a genuine trattoria is what you find at Mamma Mia’s—the freshest pasta in town, aged meats and cheeses, expertly prepared seafood, prime filet medallions under a perfect mushroom sauce, and lots of hugs from the restaurant’s legendary owner. 128 N. Mesquite St. • (361) 883-3773 $$$$ Pier 99 Some of the best seafood, sandwiches and hamburgers in the Coastal Bend can be found at Pier 99, located on Corpus Christi Beach between the U.S.S. Lexington and Texas State Aquarium. This place is all about waterfront dining, with the biggest dining patio built over water in the area and the unique views of downtown and the bay offered from historic North Beach. Pier 99 features a huge, diverse menu with something for everyone, seafood lover or not, including awesome desserts like Key Lime pie and peach cobbler. Live music liven up the scene most evenings and all weekends over the summer. 2822 N. Shoreline Blvd., North Beach • (361) 887-0764 Pier99Restaurant.com $$$ Railroad Seafood Station Brewery When visiting a coastal destination it is inevitable that you will seek out fresh seafood as part of your trip. South Texas, in particular, not unlike other regions of the South, is home to a very distinct style of seafood that was formulated almost 70 years ago along the shores of Baffin Bay. Those special recipes include the perfectly seasoned batter used for jumbo fried shrimp and fresh Texas oysters, which are served at Railroad Seafood as dinner plates or family style—that is to say, by the pound. Fish lovers will enjoy the freshest snapper, catfish, drum and flounder prepared fried, broiled or blackened. The chefs here expertly dabble in more distant flavors, like Cajun Snapper Pontchartrain and Polynesian Colossal Coconut Shrimp, which could be one of the very best shrimp dishes in the Coastal Bend. You will also find one of the best hamburgers in town here. Home brewed beer in the adjacent bar, which is big enough for private parties. 1214 N. Chaparral St. • (361) 883-6200 RailroadSeafood.com • $$$ Railroad Seafood Station Chef King’s Some of the best cooking you will find here, or just about anywhere for that matter, if often tucked away in unexpected locations, and Chef King’s certainly falls into that category. Chef Kevin King is a Corpus Christi guy who made his name in the highly competitive world of private club cuisine in Houston, catering to groups of corporate leaders and international visitors on a regular basis. Chef King occupies the cafe space at One Shoreline Plaza where he offers busy execs and office workers deliciously creative breakfast and lunch options all week long. His location is also right across Twigg St. from the Omni Bayfront hotel downtown, and hotel guests in- the-know have found Chef King. A cater- ing pro at heart, Chef King keeps a busy schedule of private and VIP events, and brings a high level of quality and service to his devoted and growing clientele. 800 N. Shoreline Blvd., Twigg St. en- trance • (281) 813-2318 ChefKingsCatering.com • $$$