Event Recap
April 25, 2017
Event Recap: 2nd Annual Sake Dinner at Camino
I always get nervous before an event because I want it to be the best that it can be. Last week’s 2nd Annual Sake Dinner at Camino restaurant was no exception. I tossed and turned all night, imagining how the whole dinner would progress. As soon as we started setting up Thursday afternoon, my mind […]
March 20, 2017
Event Recap: Succulents + Sake @ Sunset Magazine
Yoko and I were so excited to be a part of “Succulents + Sake” at Sunset magazine’s HQ, right here in Jack London Square in Oakland. The event was a celebration of the publication of Robin Stockwell’s new Sunset book, Succulents. The evening comprised of two elements – a hands-on succulent designing tutorial by Baylor Chapman of Lila B. Designs, and […]
March 14, 2017
Event Recap: Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) 2017 at Umami Mart
On March 5, we celebrated Hinamatsuri, a Japanese holiday commemorating the strength and health of women. It’s become an annual fete at Umami Mart. We display ohinasama, (traditional dolls for the holiday) made by Yoko’s mom, and invite everyone to join us for an afternoon of snacks, amazake, and doll viewing. It’s always a rowdy event with kids […]
March 7, 2017
Event Recap: Japanify All Day at Umami Mart
One of the best things to come out of 2016 was Japanify All Day, a zine that includes 21 simple Japanese recipes that I wrote, and that Kayoko and Sarah edited. I am so proud of this little zine that was produced entirely in-house and printed just down the road at Solstice Press in West […]
March 6, 2017
Event Recap: Japanify Zine Party at The Kebabery
Two weeks ago, we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek into The Kebabery, a new eatery opening soon in North Oakland. It’s one the most anticipated Bay Area restaurant openings of the year! Camino owners Allison Hopelain and Russ Moore have partnered with Brian Crookes (manager at Camino), for The Kebabery, offering Russ’ now-famous […]
February 16, 2017
Event Recap: 4th Annual Japan Beer Fest
This past Sunday, we hosted Japan Beer Fest along with the Trappist for the fourth time. Japan Beer Fest has become an annual Old Oakland tradition that falls on a Sunday during SF Beer Week. On this day, the Trappist switches out all the taps of their front and back bars with Japanese craft beers and […]
December 20, 2016
Event Recap: The Complete Cocktail Manual Author Event and Demo
Kayoko and I always been a fan of Lou Bustamante’s write-ups in the SF Chronicle. Every year we look forward to his thoughtful picks for his annual Bar Stars column, where he highlights the Bay Area’s best and brightest bartenders. So when we found out he was coming out with his book, The Complete Cocktail […]
December 9, 2016
Event Recap: Sake Gumi Underground
Last week we teamed up with Blind Tiger for Sake Gumi Underground, our second annual Sake Gumi Social. We had a blast! We love bringing together our Sake Gumi members with other Bay Area sake enthusiasts for a night of eating and drinking. Blind Tiger opened in Oakland’s Koreatown district this last year, and is a large bar located […]
August 16, 2016
Event Recap: 4th Annual Umami Mart Matsuri
This past Saturday we celebrated our four-year anniversary in Oakland. And as we have done every year since opening, we threw ourselves a huge birthday party. I don’t really keep track of my own birthdays anymore because celebrating Umami Mart birthdays seems so much more of an accomplishment, especially as our community grows year by […]
August 1, 2016
Event Recap: Intro to Making Syrups with Emily Han
We had such a great time with Emily Han, who spent a Sunday afternoon showing us how to make syrups. Her newest book Wild Drinks and Cocktails, is chock-full of inventive yet simple recipes for shrubs, infusions, syrups, and more. Emily is an herbalist and nature lover who opens readers up to a world of herbs and […]