Nomidachi News Archive

June 2020



June 24

Helloooo, Nomidachi!


Shortly after we sent out our last message announcing the resumption of on premises sake service under "Phase 1.5," King County got bumped up to Phase 2, so now we're able to accommodate a few more guests at one time.

Please be aware that we are still being very cautious as far as serving conditions go, so please bare with us as we strive to make your experience at Saké Nomi as safe, comfortable, and fun as possible.

As a reminder, there are a few strange modifications to our "normal" atmosphere including:

Modified Hours of Operation
Tuesday- Saturday: 2- 8 pm
Sunday- Monday: CLOSED


Limited Seating
During the current phase, we are limited to 50% of our total capacity for customer seating (with NO seating permitted yet at the bar), so we are able to accommodate 12 guests total, at one time. Each group will be limited to a maximum of 4 people.  Basically, this means we have 3 available tables spaced throughout the shop. Since the seating is limited in this fashion, while not required, reservations are strongly recommended.


Protective Mask Usage
Customers are requested to please wear a mask when entering the shop, and you are REQUIRED to wear a mask when moving around inside the shop (to go to the restroom, shop the shelves, etc.).  You do NOT have to keep your mask on while seated with your group, and you will, obviously, need to move/remove the mask in order to enjoy the sake. We will be wearing a mask during all customer interactions, for your safety as well as ours.


Table/Bar Service
Again, during this phase there is NO seating allowed at the bar. There will be no "table service" per se, so you will have to place your drink order at the bar and take your drink back to your table.


Menu
We continue to rotate the menu weekly, as in the past, with a couple laminated (and oft sanitized) copies at the counter for you to order from.  We will also be glad to email you the menu if you'd like to be able to access it on your phone at your table and for your reference at home after your visit. Don't forget to ask about the possibility of going "off menu," if you're feeling particularly special.


Be on the lookout for the very special imminent arrival mentioned at the end of this newsletter -- you don't want to miss experiencing a "rosé sake" on a warm summer afternoon!

We hope you and yours are keeping sane and safe, and we hope to see you again soon!

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko
 


This Week's Featured Saké
We've brought back a few "new-ish" selections that we've recently added to our stock, but had not been able to pour by the glass/flight until now. So, you can once again try before you buy!


Nanbu Bijin “Shinpaku” Junmai Daiginjo (Iwate)                            Slight golden coloring.  Vaguely herbal aroma, with a complex mix of mint, grassy, dry, and spicy elements.  Light, soft mouthfeel.  Semi-dry, clean, and delicate.  Brewed with the “king” of saké rice, Yamada Nishiki.  Platinum medal winner at prestigious French sake exhibition, Kura Master 2019.  $55/720 ml bottle








Shichi Hon Yari Ginfubuki Junmai Ginjo (Shiga)                  Pronounced yellow/green coloring, with earthy, nutty, and straw notes in the nose. Somewhat sharp and acidic, and a touch saline. Very low-key and unostentatious – a real “sake drinker’s sake.” Brewed at one of Japan’s oldest (est. circa 1540) and smallest (crew of 4) breweries. $45/720 ml bottle




Izumofuji “Yamada Nishiki 50” Junmai Ginjo (Shimane)        
Pretty gold coloring, with pineapple, pear, and candied sugar aromas in the nose. Soft, billowy mouthfeel, with a suggestion of tart cherry on the semi-dry palate. Just as elegant as the beautiful label suggests.  $40/720 ml bottle







Fuku Chitose “Toku” Yamahai Junmai
Ginjo (Fukui)                                               
Light yellow coloring and notes of white peach in the nose. Clean, mildly acidic, and displays a mellow sweetness that gradually moves to a dry finish. Solid and classy, just as the super cool bottle and label combination suggest.  $40/720 ml bottle




Takatenjin “Sword of the Sun” Tokubetsu Honjozo (Shizuoka)                           
Faint golden tint, with mild berry notes in the nose. Soft mouthfeel, with perfect acidity. Vaguely sweet, but drier in the finish.  The story we heard is that this is the sake the kurabito who are brewing the sake most enjoy – so much so they had to increase production of it in order to have enough to sell to the rest of us!  $35/720 ml bottle



Coming Soon and Accepting Orders Now:
Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo

One of last year's most popular summer seasonal releases is soon to be back in our fridge, arriving this weekend or next (we're still confirming with the distributor). Our abbreviated notes look something like this:


Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo (Gunma)
Rosé-like coloring due to red colored yeast.  Intriguing and delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, and at just 12% alcohol (as an undiluted genshu, no less!), a very comfortable summer sipper.  It's one of the weirdest, most interesting, and delicious sake we have encountered in the last couple years. $60/720 ml bottle

If you'd like to reserve some bottles (last year, demand far outpaced supply), please get in touch ASAP, and we'll be glad to set some aside for you. We will update you regarding ETA/availability at the shop as soon as we get the word.

June 29

Greetings, Nomidachi!


Farewell, June (and good riddance? Like everywhere else during this pandemic, it was pretty rough down here in Pioneer Square).

'Just a quick note to alert you to the sake we're featuring during this shortened week.

While we are back to serving sake by the glass and flight during our "new normal" business hours (2-8 pm, Tuesday- Saturday), please note that due to the Independence Day holiday, we will be CLOSED this Saturday, July 4.

We hope you are able to enjoy and find some comfort in the unofficial start of Seattle's glorious summer this weekend, and we'll be sure to raise a glass (or two) to celebrate and appreciate the nice weather and your continued warm, invaluable support.

We hope to see you down at the shop again soon!

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko
 


This Week's Featured Saké

Nanbu Bijin “Shinpaku” Junmai Daiginjo (Iwate)                            Slight golden coloring.  Vaguely herbal aroma, with a complex mix of mint, grassy, dry, and spicy elements.  Light, soft mouthfeel.  Semi-dry, clean, and delicate.  Brewed with the “king” of saké rice, Yamada Nishiki.  Platinum medal winner at prestigious French sake exhibition, Kura Master 2019.  $55/720 ml bottle








Mana 1751 “True Vision” Tokubetsu Junmai (Fukui)      
One of our favorite "newer" sake from the past year or so. Deep gold coloring, with notes of brown sugar, pumpkin, and smoke in the nose.  Light, soft, and delicate.  Dry finish with a touch of astringency.  Nicely balanced and elegant, with good acidity.  $45/720 ml bottle




Kubota Junmai Daiginjo (Niigata)                                                            Shiny gold color, with cinnamon notes in the nose. Soft, velvety, extremely pleasant mouthfeel. White peach and nectarine flavors give way to a tingly, dry finish. Subtle and beguiling character, inviting you to drink more and explore.
$100/1.8L bottle; $50/720 ml bottle



Fuku Chitose “Toku” Yamahai Junmai
Ginjo (Fukui)                                               
Light yellow coloring and notes of white peach in the nose. Clean, mildly acidic, and displays a mellow sweetness that gradually moves to a dry finish. Solid and classy, just as the super cool bottle and label combination suggest.  A big seller last week, we're glad folks are discovering this gem. 
$40/720 ml bottle





Kaze no Mori “Wind of the Woods” Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu (Nara)       
Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and undiluted (17% ABV), the brewery's unique bottling process allows the sake to retain an uncommon liveliness and effervescence upon opening.  The flavors transform on the palate in intriguing and savory ways the more time you spend enjoying your glass.  Super refreshing during warm weather this is, admittedly, a pretty weird sake. In this case, weird is good! $34/720 ml bottle



KID Junmai (Wakayama)                                                                                Fairly rich golden tint, with notes of flour, yeast, bread, and cinnamon in the nose.  Super soft texture with a pleasantly mild bitterness & astringency (shibumi) in the finish.  The flavor reminds us of pie crust!  The KID brand was launched a little over 10 years ago by Heiwa Shuzo’s fourth generation kuramoto.  $35/720 ml bottle




Arriving Friday (7/3) and
Still Accepting Orders:
Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo

One of last year's most popular summer seasonal releases is soon to be back in our fridge, arriving this Friday, July 3. Our abbreviated notes look something like this:


Oze x Rosé Junmai Daiginjo (Gunma)
Rosé-like coloring due to red colored yeast.  Intriguing and delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, and at just 12% alcohol (as an undiluted genshu, no less!), a very comfortable summer sipper.  It's one of the weirdest, most interesting, and delicious sake we have encountered in the last couple years. $60/720 ml bottle

If you'd like to reserve some bottles (last year, demand far outpaced supply), please get in touch ASAP, and we'll be glad to set some aside for you. With a little luck, you'll be enjoying this with or without fireworks on the Fourth of July.

June 15

Greetings, Nomidachi!


After a rough couple of weeks, we are excited to be able to invite you back to Saké Nomi for on premises sake tasting by the glass and flight.

Beginning Thursday, June 18, in addition to purchasing sake by the bottle for takeout, you will be able to enjoy sake by the glass or flight on a limited basis due to certain ongoing restrictions related to the coronavirus situation. 

So, there will be a few strange modifications to our "normal" atmosphere including:

Modified Hours of Operation
Beginning Thursday, June 18, our revised hours of operation will be:

Tuesday- Saturday: 2- 8 pm
Sunday- Monday: CLOSED

(PLEASE NOTE: Today and tomorrow we are open Noon- 6 pm for retail bottle sales only.)


Limited Seating
During the current phase, we are limited to 25% of our total capacity for customer seating (with NO seating permitted yet at the bar), so we'll only be able to accommodate 9 guests total, at one time. Each group will be limited to a maximum of 4 people.  Basically, this means we will have 3 available tables spaced throughout the shop. Since the seating is limited in this fashion, while not required, reservations are strongly recommended.

Protective Mask Usage
Customers are requested to please wear a mask when entering the shop, and you are REQUIRED to wear a mask when moving around inside the shop (to go to the restroom, shop the shelves, etc.).  You do NOT have to keep your mask on while seated with your group, and you will, obviously, need to move/remove the mask in order to enjoy the sake. (No, drinking straws are NOT permitted, and attempted use of said devices will result in an automatic and permanent expulsion from the premises. There are civilized sake drinking standards to be preserved, people.)
We will be wearing a mask during all customer interactions, for your safety as well as ours.


Table/Bar Service
Again, during this phase there is NO seating allowed at the bar. There will be no "table service" per se, so you will have to place your drink order at the bar and take your drink back to your table.


Menu
We will continue to rotate the menu weekly, as in the past, with a couple laminated (and oft sanitized) copies at the counter for you to order from.  We will also be glad to email you the menu if you'd like to be able to access it on your phone at your table and for your reference at home after your visit.

Admittedly, it's going to be a little weird for a while, but we humbly request your patience and understanding as we endeavor to keep your experience at Saké Nomi positive, comfortable, and safe.

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko
 


This Week's Featured Saké
(Available for retail purchase by the bottle, as well as for on premises consumption by the glass/flight beginning Thursday, June 18)

Senkin “Classic” Omachi Junmai Daiginjo (Tochigi)                                                           
Slightly golden tint, with a clean, fresh nose reminiscent of pine needles. Lively, fresh, nearly effervescent on the palate, with notes of pineapple and lemon/citrus. A rare export to the US -- only 1250 cases produced each year.  $50/720 ml bottle





Senkin “Classic” Kame no O Junmai Daiginjo (Tochigi)       Brewed using 100% ancient sake rice Kame no O (one of the few pure rice strains left in Japan). Golden, unfiltered tint, with notes of grapefruit and vaguely earthy citrus. Bracingly acidic and fresh, while being soft and lightly mineral. Brewed to specifically appeal to wine drinkers. $50/720 ml bottle


Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo (Yamagata)                           Greenish gold in appearance with notes of minerals, earthiness, and candied melon in the nose.  Soft and silky, and while the impression on the palate is one of pronounced fruitiness, with melon and citrus accents, it finishes dry.  Overall, semi-dry, thus lending itself to "session" drinking, where it is neither overwhelming nor pedestrian.  
$45/720 ml bottle






Kenbishi Kuromatsu Honjozo (Hyogo)        Sunflower yellow tint, with earthy, woodsy aromatics.  Soft, plump, almost viscous mouthfeel.  Vaguely sweet with a lingering dry, yet tangy finish.  A hearty, “masculine” saké that really shines at room temperature or warmer.  Japan’s oldest brand (1505), samurai actually drank this saké!  $48/900 ml bottle



Dewazakura Sarasara Ginjo Nama Nigori (Yamagata)           
The nama nigori (cloudy sake) version of the super popular Oka “Cherry Blossom” Ginjo. Semi-cloudy, due to the light unfermented rice sediment. Lively, effervescent, and fruity on the palate, similar to some sparkling nigorizake. Semi-dry (showing fruit, but NOT sweet), with a sharpness and minerality that make it a fun and versatile partner for food pairing.  $38/720 ml bottle



Shichi Hon Yari “Seven Spearsmen” Namazake Junmai (Shiga)                       
We're bringing back this seasonal beauty just because we can (and because it's one of the most popular seasonal releases)! The nose is slightly smokey and yeasty, with notes of browned bread pastry, tangerine, and even a little mozzarella.  Light and soft, it features melon and mellow fruitiness on the palate, with some smoke and earthiness mid-palate, and traces of astringency and tartness on the edges and in the finish. $40/720 ml bottle


Takatenjin “Sword of the Sun” Tokubetsu Honjozo (Shizuoka)                           
Faint golden tint, with mild berry notes in the nose. Soft mouthfeel, with perfect acidity. Vaguely sweet, but drier in the finish.  The story we heard is that this is the sake the kurabito who are brewing the sake most enjoy – so much so they had to increase production of it in order to have enough to sell to the rest of us!  $35/720 ml bottle
 

June 9

Helloooo, Nomidachi!


Wow.

It's hard to know where to start or how to describe what we're feeling and how we've navigated the last week or so down here in Pioneer Square.

We'll keep it simple. Black lives matter. We believe Black lives have always mattered, and we are hopeful as we witness a great number of people all over the world combining their voices to affirm this truth.

The changes that need to happen are not going to be easy and they're not going to be quick, but it sure feels like a real start, doesn't it? And we embrace that and that gives us hope.

On a related scheduling note, please be advised that we will be CLOSED Friday, June 12 in support of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County's call for a statewide general strike and silent march.


Yes, we're still in the business of selling booze. As we've mentioned numerous times in the past, Japanese proverbs tell us saké is the cure to hundreds of ills. We believe in the powers of saké to serve as a salve. Share a favorite bottle with a friend. Not only will you both feel better, there's also that "truth serum" element to saké, that can facilitate innovative thinking and gird your courage to face the challenges ahead.

We like to think Homer Simpson's famous quote about alcohol was translated something like this when it was broadcast in Japan: "Here's to saké: the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems." 

 

For the time being, we're sticking to our revised hours of operation for  RETAIL ONLY/Take Out/Curbside Pick-up service, which are:

Tuesday- Saturday: Noon- 6:00 pm
Sunday- Monday: CLOSED

As restrictions on bar/restaurant operations in King County change, please give us a little time to figure out how to resume on premises sake service in the safest and most comfortable way possible.  We appreciate your patience and support and we encourage you to stay tuned for future announcements on this topic.

We hope you and those you love and care for are healthy and safe, and we hope to see you again in person real soon.

Arigatou & Kanpai!
Johnnie & Taiko
 


This Week's Featured Saké
Things have been a little quiet (and weird) around here during the last week, so we'd still like to expose folks to some of the remaining seasonals (and the spring season has pretty much wound down), and this week we've added a few of our tried and true favorites, hoping that you'll encounter a new favorite, too!


Senkin “Classic” Omachi Junmai Daiginjo (Tochigi)                                                           
Slightly golden tint, with a clean, fresh nose reminiscent of pine needles. Lively, fresh, nearly effervescent on the palate, with notes of pineapple and lemon/citrus. A rare export to the US -- only 1250 cases produced each year.  $50/720 ml bottle





Senkin “Classic” Kame no O Junmai Daiginjo (Tochigi)       Brewed using 100% ancient sake rice Kame no O (one of the few pure rice strains left in Japan). Golden, unfiltered tint, with notes of grapefruit and vaguely earthy citrus. Bracingly acidic and fresh, while being soft and lightly mineral. Brewed to specifically appeal to wine drinkers. $50/720 ml bottle


Denshin Haru “Spring” Junmai Ginjo (Fukui)                                                            
Limited seasonal release! This nama (unpasteurized) genshu (undiluted) has a brilliant golden hue with a gorgeous floral and candied bouquet.  Richly flavored, with intense ripe peach fruitiness on the palate.  Viscous, almost syrupy texture is nicely contrasted with perfect acidity.  $45/720 ml bottle



Dewazakura “Omachi” Junmai Ginjo (Yamagata)                           Greenish gold in appearance with notes of minerals, earthiness, and candied melon in the nose.  Soft and silky, and while the impression on the palate is one of pronounced fruitiness, with melon and citrus accents, it finishes dry.  Overall, semi-dry, thus lending itself to "session" drinking, where it is neither overwhelming nor pedestrian.  
$45/720 ml bottle



Taiheizan Chogetsu “Clear Moon” Junmai Ginjo (Akita)                 
Mellow golden tint, with aromas of pear, raisins, and dairy. Soft, almost viscous, mouthfeel, showing mild tropical fruit on the palate with a hint of grapefruit bitterness on the edges. A smooth, easy drinker in a handsome bottle.
$40/720 ml bottle



Dewazakura Sarasara Ginjo Nama Nigori (Yamagata)           
The nama nigori (cloudy sake) version of the super popular Oka “Cherry Blossom” Ginjo. Semi-cloudy, due to the light unfermented rice sediment. Lively, effervescent, and fruity on the palate, similar to some sparkling nigorizake. Semi-dry (showing fruit, but NOT sweet), with a sharpness and minerality that make it a fun and versatile partner for food pairing.  $38/720 ml bottle





Kaze no Mori “Wind of the Woods” Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu (Nara)       
Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and undiluted (17% ABV), the brewery's unique bottling process allows the sake to retain an uncommon liveliness and effervescence upon opening.  The flavors transform on the palate in intriguing and savory ways the more time you spend enjoying your glass.  $34/720 ml bottle


Takatenjin “Sword of the Sun” Tokubetsu Honjozo (Shizuoka)                           
Faint golden tint, with mild berry notes in the nose. Soft mouthfeel, with perfect acidity. Vaguely sweet, but drier in the finish.  The story we heard is that this is the sake the kurabito who are brewing the sake most enjoy – so much so they had to increase production of it in order to have enough to sell to the rest of us!  $35/720 ml bottle





(pictured L to R: Takatenjin "Sword of the Sun," Dewazakura "Omachi," and Senkin "Classic" Kame no O)

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Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 2pm - 8pm
Friday-Saturday: 2pm - 10pm
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Contact
Email: info@sakenomi.us
Telephone: 206-682-1117
106 Cherry Street,
Seattle, WA 98104
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