Event Recap
April 5, 2013
Event Recap: First Annual Hinamatsuri
How often do you see babies on the front page of Umami Mart??? Well, it was bound to happen at some point. Look at her, she’s adorbz!
It is quite rare for either Yoko or myself to show our true girly colors, but we could not resist the urge to celebrate WOMEN at our first ever Hinamatsuri party, a holiday just for girls in Japan.
Read More →
March 7, 2013
Event Recap: Aya Brackett Photography Show Opening
We had a fun, bustling opening last month for our friend Aya Brackett‘s photography show opening. Titled Home is Oakland, Home is Japan, 12 of Aya’s photos are on exhibit on the back walls and nook of Umami Mart. Professionally, Aya’s food photography has been published in The New York Times, Monocle and Bon Appetit – for this show, Aya has chosen select pieces that reflect domestic moments in California and Japan.
Read More →
February 7, 2013
Event Recap: Quick-Pickles with Kelly Geary
With winter roots and wild mushrooms in abundance, January was a perfect time to invite Kelly Geary to Umami Mart for a Quick-Pickling and Canning event. Author of a the book Tart and Sweet: 101 Canning and Pickling Recipes for the Modern Kitchen, Kelly was visiting California from Brooklyn to showcase her Sweet Deliverance jams, winner of the Good Food award.
Read More →
December 26, 2012
Event Recap: Peko-Peko Udon Pop-Up
Photos by Jazmine Livingston
On a cold December night, just days before Christmas, we hosted Peko-Peko for a night of HOT noodles! Sylvan and Hayato showed up with two big boxes of hand-pulled udon, plus roasted duck and leaks for garnish. And a huge pot for boiling the noodles! It was a wonderful event, full of hungry Martians waiting in line for Sylvan’s excellent udon.
Read More →
November 29, 2012
Event Recap: Oorutaichi @ Umami Mart (OAK)
Just a little over two months ago, my good friend in Tokyo sent me this short email: “Hey, I know Umami Mart isn’t a music venue, but would you be interesting in hosting a show for a friend of mine?”
Oorutaichi, a one-man powerhouse from Osaka (home to Japanoise bands like the Boredoms and Hanatarash) was looking for a place to play on the west coast after playing in NYC.
Read More →
November 23, 2012
The Forest Feast Show Thru January
I met Erin Gleeson during our freshman year of college in Santa Barbara. She would walk around campus with colorful wraps on her head, always a smile on her face. She always glowed with a certain magical charm that we all wanted, but could never quite attain.
It was our junior year that we would become close — studying together in Italy for the year.
Read More →
October 31, 2012
Richmen: Ramen Shop’s Noodle-Making Machine from Japan
It all started with a vision. Three guys, slaving away at Chez Panisse for years, decided to open a ramen shop in Oakland. Hot damn! The East Bay needs nothing more than a GREAT ramen shop, and the Food Gods know it. They have left the responsibility up to Jerry (JJ) Jackish, Rayneil De Guzmun and Sam White. And they are naming their shop RAMEN SHOP.
Read More →
October 18, 2012
Umamiventure #33: Hive Tour with East Bay Urban Bees
Did you know that a bee’s lifespan is based on the distance it has flown? One bee lives to fly about a total of 500 miles.
This is just one of the many things we learned from Betsy and Miguel of East Bay Urban Bees during our hive tour. The tour could not have happened on a more beautiful, warm October day.
Read More →
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 did what we do best: throw a badass motherfuckin’ party.
Read More →
