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September 4, 2012
Upcoming Event: Yaki-Onigiri for First Friday (OAK)
That’s right, we be grillin’ balls this Friday! Our good friends Koichi, Ryoji and Steven of YATAIYA will be making yaki-onigiri (grilled rice balls), and serving them alongside some house-made tsukemono (pickles). They are irresistible, smoky flavor-bombs! If we’re lucky, they’ll have other fun munchies on the grill as well. Come welcome Autumn with us! The grillin’ starts […]
August 28, 2012
MOTOism: Gari (Pickled Ginger)
At Japanese restaurants, sushi is usually served alongside with gari (pickled ginger). Why? It’s a nice way to cleanse your palate so that you can enjoy each piece of fish, without mixing the flavors in your mouth. These pickled gingers are widely available at Asian grocery stores, but if you have a couple of hours […]
August 22, 2012
UMAMI MART OPEN
Photos by Erin Gleeson We did it! With the loving support from our friends, family, and community, Yoko and I have opened Umami Mart, a retail shop in Oakland, CA, specializing in kitchen + barware from Japan. The idea for starting a brick-and-mortar shop really derived from necessity. We had been running our online shop for […]
August 20, 2012
Forest Feast: Umami Mart Fiesta
Last weekend on a warm Sunday evening in the woods we hosted A Forest Fiesta in honor of the recent opening of the Umami Mart shop in Oakland.  Guests who came were contributors and supporters of Umami Mart and all brought amazing things to share. Mike made some amazing pao de queijo aka brazilian cheese bread (I need to try this recipe!);Kishi brought his delicious […]
August 17, 2012
The PDT Project: Astoria Bianco
Before Jim Meehan opened PDT, he honed his craft behind the bar at a few different bars and restaurants in New York City. One of those places was Gramercy Tavern, and the Astoria Bianco was among the notable cocktails he created while tending bar there. It is a variation of an old classic called the […]
August 15, 2012
Event Recap: Umami Mart Grand Opening Party
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 […]
August 14, 2012
Upcoming Event: Macarons with Moto (OAK)
Guess what? MOTO is coming to Umami Mart! How lucky we are! Our resident macaron maestro will be here with us this Thursday night, armed with his little pillows of sweet macarons that he has finally mastered over the last few years. Remember Yamahomo vs. Ladurée? He has come a long way, and today, MOTO […]
August 13, 2012
The Forest Feast: Peach Ricotta Tart
I was so happy to have this recipe featured on a website I love, A Cup of Jo, as “The Best Peach Tart You’ll Ever Haveâ€!. This peach tart (technically a galette) is simple, pretty and delicious! You’ll need: 1 (pre-made) crust, 2 to 3 peaches (no need to peel), 1 small tub ricotta, cinnamon, […]
August 10, 2012
The PDT Project: Archangel
The Archangel cocktail was created in 2006, and is the collaborative effort of bartenders Michael McIlroy and Richard Boccato of Milk & Honey fame. After an enthusiastic discussion about soccer legend Gabriel Batistuta, the two bartenders came up with the name Archangel, for the Archangel Gabriel. Archangel 2.25 oz. Plymouth Gin 0.75 oz. Aperol 2 […]
August 8, 2012
Event Recap: Japanese Whisky Tasting (SF)
Photos by Erin Gleeson Please excuse my great delay in writing this post — I have not had a chance to write much but I have been thinking about you all and have lots to talk about. Back in June, Umami Mart helped host a Japanese whisky tasting event for Father’s Day, with Suntory and […]