Photos by Travis LoDolce. The history of chocolate-making in the Bay Area runs deep. Ghiradelli, Scharffen Berger, and Guittard are some of the big names in chocolate that started here, and the community of smaller, more artisinal chocolatiers continues to grow. Clearly, San Francisco is a place for chocolate-lovers; and for the die-hards, a thriving […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
March 15, 2011
Umamimart Shop Quake Support
For the rest of March, the Umamimart Shop will donate 10% of every purchase to support the 2011 Sendai Earthquake and Tsunami relief efforts. Buy a mug. Support Japan.
March 11, 2011
Pushing Boundaries at Kappou Gomi (SF)
“Where the hell are we? Did we miss it?” I ask as we drive further and further away from the city center. Geary Boulevard is still bustling, but we’re way past Japantown now, and the storefront signs are getting harder to read. Besides, why would a restaurant like Kappou Gomi be all the way out […]
March 2, 2011
Postcard from Oakland: In Search of Skankynavia
Dear Anders, Umamimart misses you. IÂ mean, it just ain’t the same out here without The Skank Master. Come back soon. Love, Kayoko PS: I’m totally taking you to this bakery when you visit. You are going to DIE.
February 23, 2011
SOLD OUT! Heads Up – Umamiventure #32: TCHO Chocolate Factory (SF)
My first introduction to TCHO chocolates was in 2007, working in New York City. My friend Fumiko, who worked closely with Silicon Valley techie innovators, handed me a bar and told me that it was the next big thing in chocolate. She was right. Started by the founders of Wired magazine, TCHO is the only […]
February 19, 2011
Umamimart Happy Hour: Strong Beers at Magnolia Pub (SF)
Let’s end February with a heavily hungover BANG! and guzzle down as much as we can, while we can, of San Francisco’s Strong Beer Month. Please join the Bay Area Umamimart crew (Yoko, CJ + myself) on Sunday 2/27 at 3pm, as we will be posted at Magnolia Pub for some epic beers. I am […]
February 18, 2011
Breakfast at La Fonda Florecita (OAX)
I woke up thinking about breakfast. During my time in Italy ten years ago, I picked up the habit of not eating in the mornings at all–Italians tend to just have a cappuccino and cornetto (a little croissant-like pastry) for breakfast, opting to save space for a humongous lunch instead. But I’m trying to fine-tune […]
February 16, 2011
Packaging Whore: Kitaro One-Cup Sake
I regretfully report that Anders, aka Skankynavia and Packaging Whore columnist, is on sabbatical for the next few weeks, and will be returning in mid-March. Sorry, Martians! I know you all adore his posts, but our resident SkankMaster will be hibernating for the rest of the winter. It’s chilly up there in SkankyLand. I’ll be […]
February 4, 2011
Umamiventure #31: Sutton Cellars Vermouth Lab (SF)
All photos by Yoko Kumano unless otherwise specified. On a warm, sunny day in San Francisco, 23 guests and I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Sutton Cellars Winery for an afternoon Vermouth Class, where we learned about its history, evolution, production methods, and different taste profiles and components. The man behind the podium (er, […]