Sake 101 at The International Restaurant Show

In March the International Restaurant Show was held at the Javitz Center. This year a large Japanese pavilion was featured and I was lucky to be asked to speak at the event. I held a Sake 101 lecture and spoke alongside Monica Samuels and Yukari Sakamoto.
This was a fun event and I was [...]

Washoku -Try Japan’s Good Food (and Sake!)

With Ambassador & Mrs. NishimiyaThe Consulate General of Japan in New York recently hosted a reception at the Ambassador’s official residence to promote the “Washoku -; Try Japan’s Good Food” campaign.
On a very snowy afternoon in February, press, chefs and guests were assembled to learn about the good food (and sake!!!) of Japan. [...]

Kubota Night at Sakagura

After my fun Kubota Adventure at Decibel, I didn’t want to miss the Kubota event at Sakagura!

This time I was in for one of my new favorite sakes…Senshin Junmai Daiginjo!! Today, Sanjo-san, visiting from the brewery that makes Kubota, was serving a special and beautifully presented Kubota Junmai Daiginjo set. This set included Kubota Manju Junmai Daiginjo, Tokugetsu Junmai Daiginjo, and last but not least Senshin Junmai Daiginjo.

Kubota Sake Tasting at Decibel

In early February, on the night of one of our awful winter storms this year, I trekked over to Decibel to attend a fantastic Kubota event. They weather was storming, but I followed by Sake Samurai Motto:

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays the sake samurai from the swift attendance of their appointed sake tastings.

Akira Organic Sake in New York!

I was lucky enough to attend some wonderful and cutting edge sake events this past week. What makes them cutting edge? One word: Organic.

2009 Fall Akita Sake Tasting

If you can count on one thing, I would say it’s that the folks involved with the Akita Sake Club know how to throw a sake party! It’s that time of year again, and I was lucky enough to snag an ticket to the wonderful and fun Akita Sake Club sake tasting!
This time around, [...]

Naraman Sake Tasting at Sake Hana

When Sake Hana talks, people listen! or at least rabid sake fans listen. I was happy to be on the Sake Hana email list to get a notice about a special event being held in their little sake hideaway.
Scott, Chizuko-san and I made our reservations for a special event: Naraman Muroka sake at different [...]

Fall 2009 Wine of Japan Sake Tasting

The good sake times keep rollin’ people! What is it about the Fall that delivers so many wonderful sake-rific events?! Must be the start of the sake brewing season that gets everyone’s sake mojo flowing and the events underway.
I’m all for sake mojo so let’s take a look at my latest tasting adventure [...]

“Underground” Sake Tasting at Decibel

I was lucky enough to hear about a true “underground” tasting at Decibel, the much beloved downstairs sake bar in the East Village. The vibe was very much a Japanese speakeasy crossed with a flash mob. It was crowded, but fun to see all the regular Decibel customers enjoying a taste of some fantastic [...]

A Sake Night to Remember III: Daishichi!

Sake Sommelier Chizuko Niikawa-Helton, Founder of Sake Discoveries, recently held her third official sake party. Known as “A Night to Remember”, Chizuko-san introduces those lucky enough to get a ticket some wonderful and usually hard to find sake.

Sake Invades Union Square

Union Sq Wines & Spirits doesn’t showcase sake very often, but when they do, it’s a doosie! I recently attended their late summer 2009 “Sake Brewer’s Showcase”. It a jam packed collection of the best sake from Five different importers:

World Sake Imports
Mutual Trading Company
Prestige Sake
SENA Niigata Sake
ASPEC Akita Sake

The thing that impressed [...]

Cup Sake Event at Soba Totto

On July 16, 2009, Kanpai NY and Soba Totto co-sponsored a “Cup Sake Matsuri” with UrbanSake.com at the Soba Totto Bar.

The event was part of “One Cup Sake” week here on UrbanSake.com. We had a great turn out and sold out all the cup sake they had!

Urban Sake Interviewed on MTV Iggy!

I recently attended a fantastic sake event sponsored by Nishimoto Trading at Megu Tribeca. I got Interviewed by MTV and below is the result. I’m the only one in the whole video without subtitles! Check it out:

mtviggy.com | japanese

Niigata Sakes at Sakaya

Mr. Ataru Kobayashi was found at Sakaya last week pouring samples of two of the fantastic Niigata sakes he imports through his company SENA Niigata Sake Selections.

Kobayashi-san is an eloquent advocate for sake from his home prefecture of Niigata. You can really feel his passion for sake and that passion comes through in the sakes he selects to import.

Wakatake & Shiratake Tasting at Astor Wines

Hibino-sanThe first time I met Brewmaster Mr. Hibino, I found myself a little lost in translation and deep in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture visiting Oomura Sake Brewery, home of the famous Wakatake Onikoroshi brand.
This time, however, we were on my turf. I was very happy to hear that Hibino-san was coming to Astor [...]

June 2009 Sake & Food Pairing Class

Behold the Bounty! We Drank This!It goes without saying that I really enjoy teaching sake classes at Astor Center! June started off with our super fun ‘Sake and Food Pairing’ class. This class takes a walk on the wild side of sake and really goes in search of some of the more unique [...]

Japan Society Sake Tasting ‘09: Koji Power

It’s becoming an delicious yearly ritual in my sake tasting routine: The annual Japan Society Sake Tasting and Lecture. Just as in 2007 and 2008, I was eagerly awaiting this year’s tasting.

Niigata Sake Selections Tasting

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a litte thing for sake from Niigata prefecture. That first brew that enchanted me years ago, Hakkaisan, hails from Niigata and I’ve kinda been smitten by this region ever since. You can imagine my thrill when I got an invite to attend a recent [...]

Joto Sake Brewers at Lan

Joto Sake importers recently held a sake tasting at LAN restaurant in the East Village. Best part was, the Brewers themselves were there to introduce their sakes. When people ask me what they can do to learn more about sake, I always encourage them to attend events just like this one. Talking directly to the people who make the sake is one of the best ways to learn. Let’s check out the Joto sake!

A (Sake) Night to Remember!

Most of the time, I’m years behind the curve when it comes to knowing the newest, coolest and most secret places to eat and drink in New York. This week however, the gods of New, Cool and Secret were smiling upon me