Red Sky Tapas and Bar

Imagine sipping a tropical cocktail while watching a flaming red sunset. Add to the ambience a few Caribbean-inspired small plates of flavorful bites. Now imagine that you only have to go as far as Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb to have the experience.

Partner Terry Kirby and chef Brian Kennington created a place with the feel of the beach. The two transformed the former Merge (and Basil's) space with deep reds, banquettes, leather sofas and a granite-topped bar.

Following the hot trend of having diners graze through an extensive menu, Red Sky offers a lengthy list of small plates, priced from $3 for blue cheese-stuffed olives to $15 for bacon-wrapped sea scallops. The signature dish is lightly seasoned crab cakes baked and served atop a mango vinaigrette. Other seafood choices include coconut shrimp, fried calamari, blackened tilapia tacos, shrimp and chorizo risotto, ahi tuna and a platter of scallop, shrimp and tilapia seviche. Tenderloin carpaccio, citrus barbecue ribs and jerk chicken wings are the land options.

The martini list approaches 30, with variations such as the chocolate-covered strawberry leading the list. About two dozen are priced at $6. A mojito list is in the works. There are 50 bottles of wine, all of which are available by the glass.