Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori


June 26, 2007

NY Premiere of Kamome Diner at Japan Society

by Kayoko Akabori

In my day job, I work in the film department at a non-profit “cultural” organization, Japan Society, in Midtown East. So this means that my work consists of movies from Japan: watching them, writing about them, promoting them, blah blah. It’s pretty neat- I’m not complaining one bit. Ryo and I have been slaving away […]

June 25, 2007

The Umami Reader, vol.004

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings and eatings: Epicurious Tokyo eats in the NYTimes (make sure to watch the slideshow) Jon Sublet’s kick-ass health and fitness blog, Minus The Fat– smoothies for breakfast! Salmon on a woodblock! It feels good just to read it Dan the Automator is a foodie!!! (Theme Magazine) Celebrity pastry chefs branch out on their […]

June 21, 2007

NYC Restaurant Week, July 16-20 & July 23-27

by Kayoko Akabori

HURRY, it’s here!!! The best restaurants on the list are lunch only. No reservations left for Gotham and Del Posto. Many tables are exceeding their max reservation date, so you gotta wait (Esca, Mercer Kitchen, Gramercy Tavern). I snagged a table at Morimoto, L’Impero and Spice Market (for my Jean-Georges fix). OpenTable.com is on overload […]

June 17, 2007

Sushi Kuni Restaurant

by Kayoko Akabori

Whenever I visit my hometown, Cupertino, CA (home of the beloved Macintosh computer), the first thing that I do, before I even go home, is stop off at Sushi Kuni Restaurant. In my five years in NY, I haven’t found a place that compares to the comfort, the authenticity (I hate to say that word, […]

June 10, 2007

The Umami Reader, vol.003

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings, websites, blogs and eats: Gordon Ramsey loves In-n-Out Burger! (Jim) 5 Boroughs Ice Cream‘s eclectic creations like Mangodesh and Bakla-Wha?! (Lauren) Bowled over by these crazy Manhattan party hosts with hardcore performance anxiety (Lauren) Time’s fascinating “What the World Eats” (Tmonkey) The mind-boggling universe of meta-desserts– check out the INSANE chart!! (Tmonkey) NYers […]

June 7, 2007

Umamiventure: Ocean Jewel Restaurant

by Kayoko Akabori

A few weeks ago, we ventured on our first official Umami Mart field trip, which I hope we can organize once a month. The idea is to get people in the area, UM contributors and local eaters, to travel far and wide (an outer borough, OH MY!) for infamous eats. In the five years I […]

June 4, 2007

The Umami Reader, vol.002

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings, websites, blogs and eats: BBQ Time! The Minimalist on using the best meats for grilling yummy burgers Tap is in: restaurants ban bottled water Cooking with saffron Gawker says: Rosé is the beverage of choice for hipsters and old folks for the summer (make sure to also read the WSJ article, and watch […]

May 20, 2007

The Umami Reader, vol.001

by Kayoko Akabori

Noteworthy readings, websites, blogs and eats: The Minimalist on how to cook the perfect hard-boiled egg Bittman goes to Istria with Lidia Bastianich (note asparagus frittata recipe) TMonkey recommends the wine documentary, Mondovino A community of wine lovers on Cork’d Batali and Bourdain on Adam Platt and bloggers on Grub Street Bruni Showdown: yet another […]

May 16, 2007

Celebrating Spring with Crazy Daisy Pyrex

by Kayoko Akabori

When Ryohei (aka Yamahomo) announced that he was moving, the first thing I asked was, “can I buy everything you’re selling from your kitchen?” You see, Ryohei is a master chef who truly has the most comprehensive, exquisite kitchenware of anyone I know. He needed to downsize his possessions since he would be moving from […]

May 2, 2007

Home of the “Original” Deep Fried Calzone

by Kayoko Akabori

I think I’ve found it: the best pizza joint in New York. Ok, ok, maybe that is too definitive a statement, and I’m not trying to claim that I’ve had ALL pizza in NY (I have yet to trek to the middle of Brooklyn for Di Fara), but The House of Pizza & Calzone is […]