Party


July 19, 2013

Event Recap: U-MART Unveiling + Opening Party

by Kayoko Akabori

Umami Mart is a place where ideas and people come together, take charge and create magic. This is true for the blog, the online shop, and our brick-and-mortar space in Oakland, CA. When writers, friends, friends of friends, customers, food + drink enthusiasts, and industry folks come to us to collaborate, we put all of our […]

June 17, 2013

Upcoming Event: U-MART Opens 6/25 (Party of the Year!)

by Kayoko Akabori

Conbini is a shortened word for “convenience” which is referred to when talking about convenience stores in Japan. Littered around on any street corner in most cities, conbinis are like a typical corner store, or bodega — but from the future. They are well-lit, sparkling clean havens stocked with freshly prepared foods to-go, nail clippers, […]

May 13, 2013

Event Recap: Lease-Signing Party

by Kayoko Akabori

Photos by Josh Urich, The Joy of Drinking We did it! We signed a lease! After six months of free rent with Popuphood to see if we could “make it” in Old Oakland, we have proven to the world, and to ourselves, that the world is in need of a shop dedicated to Japanese bar […]

March 12, 2013

Upcoming Event: Lease-Signing Party!

by Kayoko Akabori

In August, Tomo gifted us a daruma to celebrate the opening of Umami Mart. It is tradition to draw in one eyeball when you receive it while making a wish, then fill in the other when the wish comes true. Our wish was to sign a lease in six months. And we did it! We […]

August 15, 2012

Event Recap: Umami Mart Grand Opening Party

by Kayoko Akabori

Photos by Erin Gleeson After weeks of painting, building, going to Home Depot five times a day (ugh), sleepless nights, banh mis for breakfast/lunch/dinner, pestering our friends and families (are you done with that project yet? Can you cut wood for us? Can you polyurethane the floors?) — UMAMI MART HAS LANDED! To celebrate, we […]

July 25, 2012

Umami Mart Grand Opening August 3 (OAK)

by Kayoko Akabori

Hello! Sorry I haven’t been blogging much, but I wanted to update you on how the shop is coming along. Our big opening day will be next Friday 8/3! Waaaaa! We’re slaving away here every day and have put everyone we know to work. Ha! No seriously, all of our friends and families are involved […]

November 1, 2010

Culinography: Tiny Tuna

by Erin Gleeson

I was at a party recently catered by Scoozi and they served the cutest tuna bites! The edible text was on a rice cracker and served on a bed of wasabi peas. Adorable.

July 29, 2010

Happy Hour: Tales of the Cocktail Recap Pt. 1 (my liver is ballsy, yours has cerebral pallsy)

by Payman Bahmani

Last week I gave the foolhardy impression that I could give a daily recap of the events at Tales of the Cocktail, while still down at Tales. Instead, I left you high and dry as I ate and drank and partied and competed and sat in seminars with a hangover, then ate and drank and […]

August 11, 2009

Tokyo JUNKtion: Summertime Party at Washio

by Yoko Kumano

One of the best things about Tokyo is its haphazardness. In addition to being able to drink outside, their zoning and permit laws seems to be pretty lax, allowing for makeshift parties outside – literally on the street. If a car tries to squeeze by, well… it’ll just have to wait until all the drunkards […]

March 24, 2009

Photo Booth Salon April 3

by Erin Gleeson

Top photo: erin gleesonBottom photo: Kelly Neal Hi Friends, Please join me for a fun art party and exhibition I’m organizing featuring 18 emerging artists, with selections of food photography as well! Hope to see you then- please feel free to invite friends and RSVP to the email address below. Ciao! Erin ***Photo Booth SalonFriday […]