We opened AND closed @baruerukamu last night. Thank you to everyone there for your generosity and care. Their kind of hospitality; the kind where you completely forget about time, meet your neighbors, ask the staff a zillion questions, try new sake, order just one more plate of yuzu chicken and potato croquettes with the best homemade tartar sauce I have ever had, and they never even tell you they closed half an hour ago. Everytime I visit everyone has a blast and they take such good care of us, we feel like we have been regulars for years. An unassuming neighborhood spot that has an absolutely killer sake list, fantastic tapas, and unbelievably good service. Go and order the omakase sake flight with yam fries and see where the night takes you……..Thank you to @paulinecamera , @alexcam1000 , and @ginamv for the extravaganza!
I am joining @sipnvibin today in celebration of this beautiful bottle from @kasumitsurufukuchiya . It is a Yamahai Shiboritate Namachozo, and it hits every complex flavor you would expect from that profile. It is rich, with a bright burst of clementine peel and a toasted rice savoriness. But what is so spectacular about this bottle is all the lovely depth of flavor you want is there, however it is so subtle and elegantly restrained each new ephemeral layer unfolds only as you drink more. It is so well balanced and structured perfectly to reveal each note. If it were a painting it would be a Rothko. Deceptively simple at first glance but so intense you are drawn in endlessly. Thank you so much @deepdivesakeschool for gifting it to me and introducing me to it’s fabulousness. .
A special doburoku from @novabrewingco with this fabulous custom bottle designed by Nina from @sunflowersake for @fuyufest . We opened a bottle for a nightcap after Okan Lover last night and it was extra creamy, with tropical fruit, honeydew melon and a little zing. Nova’s doburoku is always delicious and hard to get it because it sells out so quickly, so I grabbed a couple of bottles from Sunflower as soon as I saw them.
Some awesome sake last night at @ototo.la ! The Hakugyokko “Fragrant Jewel” from Kidoizumi in Chiba was a total surprise for a yamahai, much brighter with an unexpected yuzu and orange zestiness. @kidoizumi.shuzou . And the Kinpou Shizenshu Kanatsurae from Fukushima was a rich mellow, honeyfooted Kimoto that became smooth and soft as I warmed the glass in my hands. @sakewolf_la picked some excellent bottles all made with organic rice.
I loved this gorgeous bottle from Hououbiden. Richer than I would expect from a Junmai Daiginjo, but silky smooth with hints of caramelized banana and a very light kiss of miso. Made with heirloom Asahi Mai rice from Okayama. FANTASTIC! Thank you @sunflowersake for stocking it!
Thank you so much to all of our guests who joined us for a fantastic tasting last night @studiohermosa.636 ! Chef Luke and Shelby cooked up some absolutely amazing pairings to go with our sake…mmmm lobster roll…and Aragorn’s guitar was the perfect, beautiful accompaniment. A very special thanks to @maruto_usa , @sake_rokkasen and @shunnoten who provided some of the delicious sake we shared. @jessieaccamando & @tull7 y’all simply the best! ❤️. photo cred: Gabor Ekecs photography
Looking forward to our event at The Studio in Hermosa Beach tomorrow! Thank you so much to everyone who rsvp’d, we have reached capacity. Coming together and creating a safe, respectful space to question, explore, and enjoy, is resistance. Community is tremendously powerful. Kanpai! #supportsake
This is for my fellow rice geeks. I think it is pretty cool that Wataribune, an heirloom strain on the verge of extinction, now is even being grown by Isbell farms in Arkansas. This rice is getting ready to be polished @sakeoneusa
We had an awesome tour last weekend of the Saké One brewery in Forest Grove, Oregon. Saké One is the first craft sake brewery in America and it uses pristine, soft Willamette Valley water to brew it’s premium sake, which include the Momakawa and Moonstone brands. They also have a beautiful tasting room where you can taste everything they make there, as well as the brands they import from Japan. A huge thanks to Midori san for being such an awesome tour guide on her day off, and @deepdivesakeschool and @marcus_sake for arranging the special tour.
