Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori


April 29, 2008

Spoiler Alert!

by Kayoko Akabori

I’m having some hitech problems so haven’t been able to post anything. Will be back online as soon as I can. In the meantime, someone please explain to me what this article in the last post on fossil fuels and food shortage is talking about. And then, let’s all contemplate the most memorable thing Charlton […]

April 26, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.015

by Kayoko Akabori

Mining the i n t e r n e t for stuff worth reading (sorry, there’s a lot this week): The global food crisis, rising food costs, and something about fossil fuels (NY Sun) Interview with David Bouley: on kaiseki, Tribeca, and his upcoming 3 tier, behemoth of a restaurant, Brush Stroke. I’m sorry Dave, […]

April 24, 2008

umamichatter: Diner Makes Best Steak in US (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

kayoko (1:51:48 PM): tell me about that steak you had at Diner amira (1:53:19 PM): ahh kayoko (1:51:53 PM): Matt said it was awesome amira (1:53:21 PM): sure amira (1:53:30 PM): absolutely the best steak I’ve had in the States amira (1:53:35 PM): Better than Peter Lugers kayoko (1:52:08 PM): WOW amira (1:53:42 PM): because […]

April 23, 2008

Making Fun of Times Dining: Meehan Gone, Pinkberry & Bruni’s Dumb Friend

by Kayoko Akabori

With the news of Meehan leaving the NY Times, I feel this is the perfect time to inaugurate a column dedicated to the downfall of its Dining section. This is sort of an offshoot of the famed (now sadly defunct) Bruni Digest, but is dedicated to the Times in general, not just Bruni. It all […]

UM Deal: Kyotofu Shochu Pairing Dinner

by Kayoko Akabori

Here’s a fancyfun activity for next Monday night at the ever-enchanting Kyotofu in Hell’s Kitchen- a 7 course shochu pairing dinner! Shochu is a Japanese barley liquor- basically Japan’s version of vodka. Explore all the wacky varieties with different dishes! Mention Umami Mart when you make a reservation, and get $10 off your spot! I’m […]

April 22, 2008

Umamiventure #9: Dinosaur BBQ (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Many say that Dinosaur is the best bbq in town- nestled deep into the northwest corner of Manhattan, borderline Harlem/Morningside Heights, under the rumblings of the West Side Highway. It’s quite a trek, which made for the perfect Umamiventure. I made a reservation for 10 people on a Sunday night. THANK GOD. When we got […]

April 21, 2008

Kalustyan’s at Home (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Kalustyan’s is spice heaven. Around since 1944, it’s a mecca of Indian and Middle Eastern ingredients- a small space jammed tight with thousands of different spices, nuts, dried fruits, beans, rice, salts, blahblah. And for all you condiment freaks, they have a wall devoted to the weirdest sauces from all over the world. They don’t […]

April 19, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.014

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings and eatings (not pretending to be breaking news): Leonard Lopate discusses UMAMI with Ruth Reichl and Jonah Lehrer on The LL Show: Marmite is “Umami Speedball”. Awesome. (WNYC, via Dawn & Amy T.) NY Times Dining’s Peter Meehan gets canned/ resigned/ whatever, he’s gone. I hope to chronicle the ongoing downward spiral of […]

April 17, 2008

umamichatter: Gourmet Shopping in Brooklyn for a Fancy Feast

by Kayoko Akabori

Troy is a dear friend who lives and works in Brooklyn- he only comes out into the city on special occasions (good for him!). He recently went on a gourmet market splurge around Brooklyn, picked up a bunch of delightful foodstuffs, and stayed in and cooked with his lucky bf Corey. Considering how much we […]

April 16, 2008

Pretty on the Inside

by Kayoko Akabori

Strolling through Dean & Deluca last week, I stumbled across this in the fruit section:No joke, possibly the ugliest fruit I’d ever seen, which piqued my interest- I picked it up. First of all, it’s HUGE. It’s surface is scaly and rough, bruised all over, with different shades of yellow, green and orange, all mixed […]