Nomidachi News Archive
January 2014
January 29
Konnichi wa, Nomidachi! Here's quick mention of a few things going on at Sak� Nomi this week, including a couple "firsts" for us:
Today (1/29): Wii Wednesday
For us, this just never gets old. "Adult" beverages and video games -- what's not to love?
We've had many inquiries about umeshu (plum sake) in the past, and have briefly carried a couple tasty ones, but Ginkoubai Hannya Tou is unlike any we've ever tasted. A surprise hit at our recent shinnenkai (New Year's party), we're excited to do a full-on launch this weekend, January 31- February 1. So many things make this liqueur (there is some shochu involved) unique, but here are few things that stand out: *The Sake Meter Value (SMV) is -140. No, that is not a misprint. *It is infused with red pepper, to keep that SMV in check. *According to the brewer, they named this product "Hannya" because, "The Irish singer 'Enya' is well known in America and around the world, and because this famous singer's name sounds similar to 'Hannya,' we think its familiar sound might be easy for Westerners to remember." Amazing, right?  *Also, from the brewer: "The legend with Hannya is that she was once a noble lady of the court who became so crazed with jealousy after learning her husband had cheated on her that she turned into a demon. This story is mirrored in the product itself, as its initial sweet taste is followed by a spicy finish, just as sweet, happy times in life can often be followed by more difficult periods of chaos." We are not making this up.We will be serving Hannya as a 1-oz. "shot," ($3), as well as selling it by the glass and bottle, and we will also be offering 10% discounts on our selection of Japanese beer, should any of you feel compelled to "chase" it (we actually recommend this as a fun cross-cultural aberration). Saturday(2/1): Sak� Nomi Cinema Presents the Sak� Bar World Premiere of Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice
Given the overwhelming popularity of the recent SN Cinema offering, Hantai Kamen, we're fairly confident some of you will enjoy, and consequently forgive us for, this one.
A little backstory: We often have customers comment on our DVD collection, some of which are on display behind the bar. Most of them are vaguely Japanese-related, and when we explain to curious visitors that we frequently host a "movie night," we automatically field their unsolicited suggestions. Amongst the most frequently mentioned (by male middle-aged Japano-/cine-/unmentionable-philes?) is the enigmatic "Hanzo the Razor" series. Taiko and I had never heard of it, but thanks to a customer's introduction, we took a look, and let's just say it's one of those things we can now never "unsee." For an idea of what we're getting at, you can reference Rotten Tomatoes. This Saturday, February 1, at 9 pm, we hesitatingly present the first  in the infamous Hanzo "trilogy," Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice. While it's not as if we can properly prepare you for what's in store, here are a few fun facts:*Hanzo is played by Shintaro Katsu of Zatoichi fame. (He also produced the series.) *The story is based on a manga by Kazuo Koike, author of the Lone Wolf and Cub series. *The soundtrack is incredibly funky, especially for a story set in the Edo Period. *Equal parts gidaigeki (period drama) and sexploitation (?!), there's a reason we're starting the screening so late and will be closing the shades . . . Come early for a prime seat and some "priming" drinks, and join us for this uproarious Sak� Nomi "first!"
Don't Forget:
Sunday (2/2): CLOSED
Like everyone else in the Pacific Northwest, we'll be watching the Super Bowl, cheering on the Seahawks. Of course, we'll be drinking premium Japanese sake, and we're pleased to offer the coupon below (another "first" for us) for you to do the same. Go 'Hawks!
Thanks very much for reading! Johnnie & Taiko |
January 17
| Konnichi wa, Nomidachi! 'Just a quick blast to let you in on a super duper deal on an incredibly rare and special sake that one of our distributors has extended exclusively to Sak� Nomi.
'Don't know if you remember it, but we were able to introduce one of the gems of the sake world, Kotsuzumi Roho Hana Ari junmai daiginjo, back in October 2013. An extremely refined, elegant, and limited (!) brew, it's especially well-suited to special occasions and celebrations, and we were fortunate enough to welcome 2014 with it on New Year's Day (special arigato shout-out to Dr. A and family!). Perhaps in a few weeks' time, a bottle could be cracked to celebrate a "super" win by the Seahawks (don't want to jinx us, or anything), and Taiko and I will definitely enjoy a bottle for our upcoming wedding anniversary. The tasting notes look like this:  Kotsuzumi Rojo Hana AriBrewery: Nishiyama (est. 1874) Region: Hyogo SMV: +1
Grade/Polish Ratio: Junmai Daiginjo/50%
Notes: Delicate gold coloring, with very floral, candied fragrances in the nose. Soft & clean, with a surprisingly satisfying dry finish. Elegant & sophisticated, but with substantial character, like a memorable party guest. A multiple international sake & wine competition award winner, it's been described as "perfection in a bottle." Terrific for special occasions & celebrations!Yes, part of what makes this Kotsuzumi sake special, rare, and precious is the limited production and resultant pricing. As we mentioned back in October, it often sells for $200 and up in other markets, and we were able to initially offer Kotsuzumi Roho Hana Ari at $185/720 ml bottle here in Washington. Here's where the super special deal comes into play. For a limited time, our distributor is making the sake available at a reduced price, and we're able to pass the savings along to you. To the tune of $125/720 ml bottle -- a reduction of $60! But wait, there's more. For purchases of 3 or more bottles, we're able to get the price down to $110 each ($75 savings!). Because this deal is predicated on us buying a significant quantity from the distributor next week, we're contacting you in hopes that this is a rare something-something you might be interested in, and we can harness the power of group purchasing to everyone's benefit. I apologize for the urgent, last-minute nature of this missive (the distributor is looking to deliver to us early next week), but if you'd like to secure a bottle (or 2 or 3 or 4 . . .) please let me know by Monday morning, January 19. Of course, if you have any questions or need any more information about this spectacular brew, please feel free to give me a shout @ 206-467-SAKE (that's 7253!) or johnnie@sakenomi.us. Thanks & Kanpai! Johnnie Stroud Sak� Nomi |
January 14
|
Konnichi wa, Nomidachi!
Here's quick mention of a few things going on at Sak� Nomi this week:
Tuesday (1/14): New Menu This week's menu is loaded with goodies (per usual), including a couple unpasteurized namazake, for those who like their sake "raw."
Wednesday (1/15): Wii Wednesday
Not super competitive, but super fun and FREE. Friendly instruction for the uninitiated, and not-so-gentle needling of the more experienced participants.
We hope you'll join us from 3 pm for toji Jeff James' latest delicious release. Sak� Nomi is proud to be the first retail outlet for this brew, and we'll try to have some of Cedar River's previously released Nama and Junmai on hand, as well. Sunday(1/19): Seahawks & Sake Sunday
We'll be open from around 11 am (The Game starts at 3:30), so if you don't have tickets to the big game, but would still like to be part of the (hopefully) celebratory atmosphere in Pioneer Square, please join us.
Don't Forget:
Saturday (1/25): New Year Party w/Umami Kushi
We're thrilled to announce that we've just confirmed that Chef Harold of Umami Kushi will be joining us for the inaugural Sak� Nomi Shinnenkai (New Year party) at 7 pm on Saturday, January 25.
I'd like to get a firm head count to Harold-sensei by the end of the week, and we still have some spots available, so if you (& your friends!) would like to join us, please confirm your reservation no later than this Saturday, January 18. $30 (plus tax)/person covers all the sake, and the kushiyaki will be optional and charged separately. Contact us at 206-467-7253/info@sakenomi.us with any questions or to confirm your reservation. We look forward to getting this year properly started, and hope you can join us! Thanks very much for reading! Johnnie & Taiko |
January 7
|
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! A very belated Happy New Year, dear nomidachi! As we look back on it, 2013 proved to be a somewhat rough, perhaps transitional, year for Sake Nomi. It meant a lot to us that so many of you stopped by the shop with visiting family and friends during the recent holiday period, and it helped us end the year on a good note, providing some positive energy for heading into 2014. We begin the year by listing some of 2013's most popular brews and mentioning some of the events we have planned in the coming days. Thanks again for the incredible support and friendship you've provided over the past 6-1/2 years (closing in on Big No. 7 in June!), and we look forward to sharing many more drinks and laughs with you in 2014 and beyond! Arigato & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko
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