This month we're featuring women makers, an annual series we affectionately call Female Frontrunners. We feature sake breweries run by women for Sake Gumi, and we also feature women artisans and makers at the shop. Both Yoko and I are from the Bay Area –...
This year, we are celebrating Female Frontrunners in March to coincide with Girl's Day on March 3, and International Women's Day on March 8. Every year (when we are open), Kayoko, my mom, and I set up the traditional hinamatsuri doll display at the shop and invite the public...
This year, we are celebrating Female Frontrunners in March to coincide with Girl's Day on March 3, and International Women's Day on March 8. Every year (when we are open), Kayoko, my mom, and I set up the traditional hinamatsuri doll display...
This year, we are celebrating Female Frontrunners in March to coincide with Girl's Day on March 3, and International Women's Day on March 8. Every year (when we are open), Kayoko, my mom, and I set up the traditional hinamatsuri doll display at the shop and invite the public...
This year, we are celebrating Female Frontrunners in March to coincide with Girl's Day on March 3, and International Women's Day on March 8. Every year (when we are open), Kayoko, my mom, and I set up the traditional hinamatsuri doll display at the shop...
This month for Sake Gumi, I'm featuring four women in the sake world. As usual, you can find the notes to the club sakes here. In the process of writing this month's notes, I interviewed four of the women who either own the brewery, are...
When searching for sakes for Women Sake Makers month, I was delighted to learn that Hayashi Honten is owned by a female. Reiko Hayashi is the fifth generation Hayashi to take over the brewery. We have featured Hayashi Honten sakes in the store...
Every May, we celebrate the women who are in the center of our industry, whether that's for drinks, design, or Japan. We take every opportunity to highlight the people who are making a difference in their professions – and with Mother's Day around the corner, it's a good time to champion the ladies....
Ramen Shop in Rockridge, Oakland is our go-to for cocktails, noodles, and an overall good time. We first met J.J. and Sam, two of the owners, on a trip to Japan in 2011, where J.J. lived for many years apprenticing under a ramen chef. Back in Oakland, J.J.,...
When Yoko Lewis walked into Umami Mart and introduced herself as the designer of Bee House products, I was floored. The Bee House Salt Boxes and Butter Dishes have been in our collection for years at Umami Mart and remains as some...
Far Leaves is a treasure in Berkeley, CA. A place to enjoy a pot of luxurious teas from Asia or simply buy a canister to take home -- Far Leaves is an oasis of calm, nestled on a busy, industrial section of...
Since opening in 2015, Sequoia Sake Brewery has been a gem in the heart of the Bay Area. Located just south of Portrero Hill, founders Noriko Kamei and Jake Myrick use their space as a full-scale sake brewery, as well as...
The first time I tried an Imada Shuzo (brewery) sake was in 2014 when we opened our bottle shop in Oakland. The savory acidity of the Fukucho Forgotton Fortune junmai made my mouth water, and I have been...
Jennifer Colliau is one of Bay Area's greatest bartenders. To use words such as "smart," "talented," or "creative" seem to undermine her qualities. Rather, she is a force in the industry -- ambitious, yet down to earth; knowledgable, yet curious; confident,...
An interview with bartender Shanna Farrell of Hamlet in San Francisco who is writing a book about the craft cocktail revival on the West Coast.
We talked to Flora bartender Polina Kharnas about moving to Oakland from San Diego, and her favorite bar tools, cocktails, and bars in the Bay Area.
