It was our pleasure to pour for the hardworking teams at Albright Stonebridge Group for the 4th year! We conducted a light “blind tasting” and concealed the bottles with pieces from @tenuguiart How fun it was to see Brooklyn Kura No. 14 emerge as the crowd favorite!
A special thank you to @sakeassociation for the collaboration, @dcsake for the sake selection, and @nidodc for the summer salad and smoky eggplant dip!
#saketasting #dmvevents #corporatetasting
📸 Credit: @just_press_play08
Part 2. Capital Sake & Friends.
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month.
We’ve been reflecting deeply on our journey in sake so far, and we envisioned this edition of Sake Lounge with @uraidc to be a way to explore and express it.
Our team with @reunion_pantry@j.greenbean co-curated a drink menu with select sake pairings, seasonal tea mocktail, and Ki No Bi gin cocktails for the evening. We wanted it to be bright and refreshing, in harmony with each other; and we sought the best ingredients down to the high quality ice generously provided by @theicequeenllc
A special thanks to @dad.tender for sharing this night with us. Thank you Sak and the wonderful team @ricemarketdc for being a second home for us to gather.
#sommnotes #sakepairings #saketasting #dmvevents 🎥: @just_press_play08
Part 1. Urai DC.
We’ve been wanting to do something with Ben for a while now. His style of cooking carries a creativity, technical skill, and humility that hits home for us.
Since December, we’ve been getting to know each other, sharing stories about our lives and our cultures. What meant most to us was how kind, responsive and professional Ben was at every turn ensuring we were always informed and aligned. That level of care, not just for food, but for people is rare. We enjoyed this part of the journey with you immensely!
Thank you for being with us, Ben. This was the first of our Chef Series. You set the bar. @urai.dc@benplyra
#sommnotes #saketasting #sakepairing #dmvevents 🎥: @just_press_play08
Still thinking about last week's 4th Annual Spring Sake Festival led by DC Sake! @dcsake
We are grateful to be part of a community that is growing around sake culture and connection, year after year. Thank you, Reiko san and team, for your vision and leadership! 🙇🏻♀️
So many new sake - like the beautiful Koimari Peony Junmai Daiginjo (pic 2) symbolizing good fortune! Visit DC Sake Co. for the full list and have sake delivered to your door or arrange for pickup! 🍶 🛍️
This festival's VIP session was led by one of the industry's leading experts, Sake Samurai and Sake Educator Timothy Sullivan @urbansake , with sake pairings of Hakkaisan and Brooklyn Kura. BK offers sake tours and their Sake Studies Center hosts a variety of fun sake workshops. Check them out on your next trip to NYC!
Hats off to all the brewery representatives traveling around the country to pour. Your time and presence makes the event extra special.
And to all the guests, thank you for your support and hope to see you at the next Kanpai event!
#saketasting #sakepairing #dmvevents
On May 1st, join us for a very special edition of *Sake Lounge* 🍶 featuring bites by guest Chef Ben of @urai.dc .
Chef Ben takes a deeply personal and new approach to traditional Thai flavors, and we are so excited to pour premium Japanese sake alongside his inspired bites! We'll also be serving non-alcoholic drinks, cocktails and other selections to ensure there's something for everyone.
Walk-ins start at 7:00 PM. Seating is first come, first served with some standing room.
Start or end your evening with us and enjoy a casual, intimate vibe in good company. We'd love to see you!
Friday, May 1st
Sake Lounge ft. Chef Ben, URAI
Walk-ins start at 7pm
Rice Market, 2nd Floor
@ricemarketdc
#ricemarketdc #saketasting #sakepairing #sakebar #logancircle
A weekend of sunshine, drums, and friendship at the 64th annual Sakura Matsuri. @jaswdc@sakeassociation
Glad you could get your fill of sake, spirits, and brews at this year’s Tachinomi Pavilion 🌸 See you next year!
#dmvevents #cherryblossom #saketasting
Sake Tasting
The best experiences are the ones you didn’t plan for.
Every experience, one elevator ride away. That’s ResEssential!
#resessential #sakitasting #luxuryapartments #residentevents #apartmentliving
To everything, there is a season. 🌸
We are relieved to emerge from a long winter in the DMV and enter a beautiful spring.
One of the things that’s been driving our work is understanding and respecting the time it takes to achieve something of value. So much of that requires constant reflection on our mission, working more diligently to uncover details, learning from collaborators with similar values (and different creative styles!), and seeking wisdom from mentors when faced with new challenges.
In March, we celebrated Women’s Month and the start of Cherry Blossom Season. We feel renewed, and hopeful that we can begin leaning into projects that also touch on our mixed heritage and the spaces that help us shape who we are. 🌸
#saketasting #cherryblossomdc #dmvevents
Hanami Sake 101 🌸🍶
We thought we were too busy to make this happen… but I’m so glad we did!!!
“Sake 101” … a space where people can feel curious, and comfortable of sake, is something Louie Anne @capitalsake and I had talked about for years, and seeing it finally come to life meant a lot.
Huge thank you to our friends at @theroostdc for welcoming us into such an inspiring space!
Running this with the DC’s Sake super-team was the best. Your energy, passion, and love for sake is what keeps me going!
And of course… to everyone who joined us—THANK YOU for being interested in Sake
Hope to see you soon again! 🍶🌸
🌸🍶 HANAMI SAKE 101 — A Beginner’s Guide to Sake
Over the years, I’ve hosted many sake tastings here in DC, and they’re always filled with people who already love sake. But recently I realized something — a lot of people are curious about sake, yet don’t quite know where to start.
With our Spring Sake Festival coming next month (with 100+ sakes!), I wanted to create a relaxed evening where beginners can learn the basics first. Think of this as a warm-up before the big festival — a chance to taste, ask questions, and discover why this beautiful drink has been bringing people together for centuries.
I’m especially excited that Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen (@thesakemom ) from @capitalsake will be joining us to guide the evening with her warmth, passion, and deep knowledge of sake.
During the evening you’ll enjoy:
🍶 A fun Sake 101 crash course�🍶 4 spring-inspired sake tastings�🌸 Delicious Hanami bites from @theroostdc �🎟 A raffle for Spring Sake Festival tickets
🍶 10% discount on sake orders
And if you already enjoy sake, I have a small favor to ask — invite that friend who has always said “I’m curious about sake.” This evening was created for them.
Come curious.�Leave confident.
🌸🍶 KANPAI
🗓 March 26, 2026 (Thursday)�⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM�📍 @theroostdc
🎟 Tickets available — link in bio
We kicked off Sakura season with a Sake and Desserts collaboration! @chiboo@ressessential@atlanticplumbing Thank you for joining us and toasting to the spring.
If you’re curious about sake, check out our upcoming events this week:
🍶 Thursday, 3/26
Hanami Sake 101 at The Roost DC —
Learn the basics and get comfortable with sake. Link in bio.
🍶 Friday, 3/27
Sake Night at Kbird Bar —
Enjoy flights, tastings, and cocktails with us.
#dmvevents #saketasting #dccherryblossomfest
