Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori


March 19, 2010

SF Underground Market

by Kayoko Akabori

Just got these pics by She-Rene, who I ran into outside at the SF Underground Market a couple weeks ago. I confess I never made it inside where the market was being held. I showed up to this discreet warehouse, on a side street in the SOMA district, and the line literally snaked down the […]

March 18, 2010

Gadget Patrol: Ice Cube Ball Maker

by Kayoko Akabori

Matt and I were sitting at our favorite bar, Hotel Del Mano in Brooklyn, when the bartender mumbled something about the Japanese. We were both a bit bewildered (we were the only Asians at the bar), but then he placed a clunky copper contraption in front of us. He told us that it was from […]

March 16, 2010

Umamiventure #23: Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Umamimart finally relaunched last month. We made it! It’s now, I hope, faster and easier to navigate for ya’ll– and of course, so much prettier. Although we’re still tirelessly trying to work out the kinks, I think this move marks a new era for Umamimart. Heck Yah! To celebrate, I made a pitstop to NYC […]

March 11, 2010

K&B Drug Store (NOLA)

by Kayoko Akabori

Walking through the French Quarter during Mardi Gras, I saw this really huge purple and orange sign, sparkling from blocks away. When I got closer, a cute boy was pushing a cart, with fake boxes of ice cream and glass bottles of booze. Onlookers, who seemed more like locals, kept stopping him to take his […]

March 10, 2010

Lazyass Cookin’: Sauteed Spinach & Mushrooms in Soy Dashi Butter

by Kayoko Akabori

This dish so easy, I’m almost embarassed to write this. I mean, everyone needs to eat their vegetables, even lazy people, right? I got these oyster mushrooms at the Chinese market for $2! Use whatever mushrooms you prefer– I love the array of colors, shapes and sizes you can find at the farmer’s market, although […]

March 9, 2010

The Historic Sazerac Bar (NOLA)

by Kayoko Akabori

Thankfully made it to the Sazerac Bar in the historic Roosevelt Hotel. We weren’t going to have enough time to go, but I managed to sneak in on my last day in town. The space is just so majestic and enchanting! The hotel itself has quite a history. Opened in 1893 as “The Grunewald”, it […]

March 8, 2010

Praline Connection Shrimp, Grits & Gumbo (NOLA)

by Kayoko Akabori

We were wandering around on Frenchmen Street, an area right next to the French Quarter that gets just is known to get spankrockinwild for Mardi Gras. While we sauntered in and out of bars and talked to crazy people on the streets in colorful wigs, I saw this sign on neon poster paper. If you […]

March 5, 2010

Oysters Rockefeller at Galatoire’s (NOLA)

by Kayoko Akabori

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March 4, 2010

USA JUNKtion: Smith’s Scampi Fries

by Kayoko Akabori

Found these Scampi Fries at a pub in New Orleans– have you heard of them? They’re from the UK. I thought they would taste like the Japanese Kappaebisen (shrimp chips), but they had more of a zingy citrus flavor than the scampi. This product does not have a website, but the company did produce this […]

March 3, 2010

Best Burger Ever at Port of Call (NOLA)

by Kayoko Akabori

Had the best burger I’ve had in my entire life in NOLA. I am being very serious right now. THE BEST. My friends swore they had taken me to Port of Call the last time I was in town, but I definitely had never been here before. I would have remembered this burger. And this […]