Spotlight
March 3, 2017
Cook Homestyle Japanese Food for the Family
Harumi Kurihara is kind of like the Martha Stewart of Japan. A popular food personality, she’s published 128 cookbooks, selling more than 26 million copies! She even has her own home goods brand and restaurant in Tokyo. But over the years, she’s still most famous her recipes – simple, yet elegant Japanese home-style cooking that’s perfect for meals with family and […]
March 2, 2017
Get Classic Japanese Design: Hard Strong Stacking Glasses
Toyo-Sasaki Hard Strong Stacking Glasses are classic Japanese glass tumblers. You’ll see them in ramen shops, izakayas, and other casual eateries throughout Japan. If you’re a local to the Bay Area, you might’ve spied them in use at Ramen Shop in Oakland. Use Stacking Glasses for a variety of drinks, from beer, juice, water, iced […]
February 23, 2017
We Have Real Deal Mirin, and So Should You
If you’ve ever cooked Japanese food, you know that mirin, or sweet cooking sake, is an integral ingredient. Whether you use it in dressings, sauces, marinades, or stews, this clear, golden-hued rice wine adds both umami and sweetness. Japanese cooks also use it to add viscosity, richness, and gloss to food, as well as temper […]
February 2, 2017
How to Choose a Mixing Glass
A good mixing glass is essential to any home or professional bar. But what should you know before you buy one? Of course, you should pick the one that fits your personal style, but beyond aesthetic appeal, there are a few other considerations that can drastically affect your success at making your next stirred cocktail. Here’s a […]
January 26, 2017
What’s Up with the Studio Arhoj Fisherman Poster?
We get a lot of inquiries about the Fisherman Poster. The poster hangs on our shop’s walls at 815 Broadway, amongst a collage of other eye-catching display items, prints, and ephemera, but this arresting image stands out and begs many questions: Who is that man? What’s he wearing? Is he facing forward or are we seeing his back? […]
January 19, 2017
Why Is Everyone Drinking Vermouth Again?
Recently, there’s been a major turnaround in how Americans perceive vermouth. Once a fashionable drink that people sipped straight up and added liberally and confidentally to cocktails, it fell out of favor and grace in the ’60s and ’70s. For more than 30 years, vermouth, which is a fortified wine that’s flavored with herbs, spices, fruits, […]
Eat Healthier, Better Looking Food with The Forest Feast Gatherings
Our friend Erin Gleeson of The Forest Feast has a lot going on right now. First of all, she just had a baby! Baby Max arrived earlier this month and is a real bundle of joy. Secondly, Erin has a new book out. The Forest Feast Gatherings is an inspiring and gorgeous vegetarian cookbook. If you like hosting casual dinner […]
January 13, 2017
Cook Healthy and Delicious Meals in the Shigaraki Shino Donabe
This winter, we debuted a new donabe to our line up. Made in Japan, the Shigaraki Shino Donabe is a glazed earthenware pot that can be used directly on the stove to cook hotpot, rice dishes, stews, and other comforting meals. We love the dramatic black finish with the subtle wash of gray-white glaze around […]
January 6, 2017
A Taste of the City: Far Leaves Oakland Tea
Last month, we debuted Far Leaves Tea‘s Oakland Blend at our Sip and Shop event, where it proved to be a favorite amongst tasters. Back by popular demand, we’ve brought this Limited Edition tea to our shelves. A Pu’er-based tea, it’s balanced out and made interesting with pepper, ginger, barley, and orange peel. Like our home […]
January 5, 2017
Clearly Stylish: Hario Teapots
If you’re a coffee person, you probably know about Hario. Founded in 1921, Hario is the leader in Japanese coffee wares, internationally-known for its handsome heat-resistant glass, ceramic, and metal coffee drippers, carafes, and other coffee-making equipment. But if coffee’s not your cup of tea, Hario has teapots and sympathy for you. We carry two […]