I’ve talked about following your passions in life before (ok, I talk about it like everyday) and here’s a place that embodies a deep passion for sake. Opened in 2007, Sake Nomi is a pioneer in sake retail and tasting in the United States. It is casual and almost feels like you’ve just walked into someone’s […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
August 17, 2015
Happy Hour: Don’t Call This a Saketini
I deplore the word “Saketini.” The whole idea that you can name a cocktail by adding “tini” to the end of it is just plain juvenile and not creative at all. Which is not fair because I’ve been drinking a hell out of these Martinis, subbing sake for vermouth, and the name Saketini is not so far off. […]
August 13, 2015
Chizu, A Cheese Bar in Portland
It’s so important to travel. Not to say it needs to be lavish or romantic or life-changing every time, but it’s really necessary to get out of your comfort zone and visit new places, even if it’s only an hour away. Remember that Sex and the City episode where Miranda was dating a guy who […]
August 10, 2015
Mike’s Noodle House in Seattle
I’m afraid I’m becoming one of those older Asian ladies who gets really grumpy after not eating noodles or rice or something with soy sauce flavoring for a few days. Although who am I kidding: I am grumpy if I don’t have noodles in some form at least once a day. On our last trip to […]
August 6, 2015
Come See Us at Sake Summit This Weekend!
Yoko and I will be hanging out at Sake Summit all weekend in Union Square in San Francisco. Come visit us! This is your chance to try pretty much all the sakes that are available for consumption in the Bay Area. If you’re into sake, you can’t miss this! This is the third annual Sake […]
July 30, 2015
Shanghai Restaurant in Oakland
Shanghai restaurant is our go-to in Oakland Chinatown for meetings and hang-outs over lunch or dinner. The food is consistent, always fresh, delicious and everyone on staff knows us. It’s a nice, no-frills local joint where you probably won’t run into anyone you know. Hooray! Yoko went to Shanghai recently and lavished our humble blog with […]
July 27, 2015
Upcoming Event: 3rd Annual Umami Mart MATSURI
Wow guys, THREE YEARS!!! Can you believe we have been open in Old Oakland for three whole years???!?!?! From bare walls to Skankynavian chic, Yoko and IÂ are so proud and happy to have been able to share our passion for food and drink culture with all of you. Thanks so much for all your support! […]
July 23, 2015
Upcoming Event: Hakkaisan Brewery Sake Tasting @ Alchemy Bottle Shop
It’s been a crazy sake week here at Umami Mart — first we launched the Sake Gumi, and now, we’re happy to announce a special tasting event with renowned Hakkaisan Brewery! We will be hosting an evening with Timothy Sullivan, founder of Urban Sake and Brand Ambassador of Hakkaisan Brewery. I have known Timothy since my NYC days — […]
July 22, 2015
Introducing SAKE GUMI, Our Monthly Sake Subscription Program
Yoko and I could not be more thrilled today — we are dubbing it SAKE GUMI DAY. We’re finally launching our sake club! IT IS HERE! We’ve been having a lot of fun since we opened our Bottle System in April — it’s been really wonderful to be able to share sakes and beers from Japan with […]
July 2, 2015
Happy Hour: Kumquat Liqueur
My partner Johnny’s mom has an ultra green thumb. Whenever I see her, she showers me with ripe fruits and vegetables from her bountiful garden. During the summer months, I am lucky to receive scallions that are two feet long, fava beans, and sweet red tomatoes. But with the weather fluctuating so much these days, sometime her plants […]