Construction on the Atrium seating area is progressing along as scheduled.  I stopped by for a quick peak recently and found crews working on track lighting that will flow throughout one section of the space.  In the portion of the seating area closest to the front of the Atrium, large red and white lampshades were hung cascading light through the room.

A rendering of the new seating area from the Baker Group and Moser Mayer and Phoenix Associates, PA.

The seating area will be open in fall 2011 and will provide an open zone for students to eat, relax and chat with friends.  The red and green color scheme will continue in the seating area as splashes of color cover chairs, light fixtures and carpet.  The front of the Atrium will bring in natural sunlight with floor-to-ceiling windows.  Beginning in fall 2011, the Atrium will also bring in the moonlight–students will be able to enjoy their new digs until 10:00 p.m. nightly.

Installing track lighting in the seating area.

View from outside looking into the front area.

What do NC State students and the Atrium have in common?  They’re both preparing for final exams!

The Atrium Food Court will close after lunch on Friday, December 10 to prepare for final inspection in January.  The renovated serving area will reopen a month later on Monday, January 10, the first day of the spring semester.

The new Atrium Entrance

The new Atrium is sleek and sophisticated!  With wood flooring and lime green and red accent colors, the walls pop.  Each new concept is beginning to take on a life of its own.  Upon completion, each concept will beckon to you as you pass by, inviting you to taste what’s inside.

And that’s just what University Dining is inviting you to do next week!  Although the Atrium will be closed, students, faculty and staff can sample the new recipes at our dining hall locations.  During lunch, Fountain will be serving fresh rolled sushi and Asian dishes and Clark will be serving fresh pasta dishes.  The recipes you’ll sample will be featured on the rotating menus in the Atrium in January!

Take a stroll through the Atrium through the pictures below.

December Atrium Pictures

I got a sneak peek last week of the sushi lineup that will roll out in the Atrium’s new Asian concept this January.  Over fall break, executive chef Bill Brizzolara led a sushi training session and tasting with Atrium employees.   Let me tell you, the selections look and taste delectable!

The Atrium will begin operations in January with three signature rolls:  the Tiki Tekka-Maki, California Roll and Pineapple Avocado roll. All rolls are made with nori, Japanese seaweed, and freshly prepared sushi rice. They will be served with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

The Tiki Tekka-Maki consists of fresh tuna, pineapple tidbits, green onion and cucumber. “Tekka-Maki” translates to gamblers’ roll because according to wise tales this roll was created as a quick snack for gamblers who didn’t want to leave the table.  But trying the Tiki Tekka-Maki is no gamble, you can bet your taste buds will enjoy this one!

The popular California Roll will also be offered, which consists of Surimi (crab sticks), avocado, and chili dressing with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.  The California Roll has been an American favorite for decades.  It’s rolled “inside out” with the nori on the outside, which makes it easier to consume.

The third signature roll will be a Pineapple Avocado Roll, which consists of  avocado, pineapple tidbits, green onion and cucumber.  Adding pineapple to this roll gives it a nice tropical flavor for a sweet ending, plus it’s vegetarian!

These sushi rolls will be prepared fresh every morning beginning in January.  Now that’s “li desu yo”– good!

Future Home of our Asian Concept