Four months ago, my sister-in-law, Margaux, and I were in Tokyo, visiting cat cafes and trying our darnedest to look like Harajuku girls - starting with our fingernails. This past week, in New York City, we decided to continue our Japan-themed adventures and enroll in a sake class at the Brooklyn Kitchen, a culinary shop and classroom space located in Williamsburg (once again, Course Horse made this process simple as can be).
It's a beautiful space. And look at all of the great classes they offer the rest of the month - I'm especially tempted by this one.
Our instructor, Henry Sidel, formerly of Brooklyn Brewery and now the president of Joto Sake, guided us through the fundamentals of sake brewing, tasting, and pairing. I'd always assumed sake was meant to be served only with Japanese food. Apparently, I was wrong. Kimchi, whitefish, chorizo, cheese - the possibilities are seemingly endless (and endlessly delicious).
Over the course of two hours, we sampled nine different kinds of sake. Yes, nine. (Note the rosy cheeks.) My favorite? The Maboroshi Kurobako. At $200 per bottle, it was also the most expensive of the lot.
In the end, all that strenuous sipping paid off. The following night, at dinner with our family, we took the liberty of ordering a bottle of sake for the table. The verdict? Unanimous approval. Star students, if I do say so myself.
A big thank you to the Brooklyn Kitchen, Joto Sake, and Course Horse. More from my adventure series, here.
See you tomorrow!
Mmm, sake...I wish there was a Course Horse for Los Angeles! Loving this adventure series so far =]
ReplyDeleteOh, this makes me want to live in NYC! What a beautiful post! I know I've told you this before, but I LOVE your adventure series. And I'm going to have to find some sake this week!
ReplyDeleteGreat!! I'm totally fan of Japanese food!
ReplyDeleteLooks so interesant und delicious!
The space is so cool!!
xoxo from München
La Vie Quotidienne
www.laviequo.com
What a neat space! I don't drink, so I would have totally been useless in that class...BUT STILL, how fun to learn! I got my husband the sodastream [it carbonates water for you without a plug!!] for our 1 year anniversary just recently and that has been quite the hit with family & friends! :-[) I think everyone is just fascinated to watch us make soda from water in less than 20 seconds. Literally.
ReplyDeletep.s. those snow monkeys are HILARIOUS!!!!!
This looks like so much fun. I have a new acquired taste for sake (I used to have to "chase" it with something else).
ReplyDeletexoxo,
mon amy
how fun! i don't have any strong feelings about sake, but this makes me want to order some next time i'm out to dinner.
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I know nothing about sake. It would be so interesting to dispel some of the mystery. I hope you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteReally love this adventure series! True story: My mr. can house an entire baguette in one sitting and I can take down an entire bottle of sake. It's time we start enrolling so we can pass off our tendency to over indulge as something a bit more intellectual. haha
ReplyDeleteI don't drink, but all the foods that can be served with sake sound great hee hee.. beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteahh! how fun!! and INTERESTING - sake is an entirely unknown entity in my house (but this made it seem a little more accessible?). also, please register my vote for you taking that baguette course...
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful and unique adventure. cheers!
ReplyDeleteRoxy Marj, I LOVE the Soda Stream. I have a good friend who has one - I've always been jealous!
ReplyDeleteMegan, Melissa, Panda Head - you should totally try it out sometime. I knew nothing about it, either (even after having traveled to Japan multiple times) - but now I'm a full-fledged fan!
Roxy, haha, perfect! You guys were MADE for the Brooklyn Kitchen :)
Bikbik, yes, the food was delicious - totally rounded out the whole experience!
I think I need to go out with you ladies! You have the best of times!
ReplyDeletej.
love this little series you got going on... a sake class?! too cool. I know nada about sake.
ReplyDeleteIf you can believe it, I've never tried sake! But this makes me want to.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you two are just soooo pretty!
Thank you, Lauren, you are so sweet! Definitely give sake a try. I was a little hesitant at first, but I love it now!
ReplyDeleteOhh! Sake intimidates me, so this is a mega cool class. Do you think you'll drink it more regularly now? And I must say, your SIL Margaux has the BEST bangs. That was random, but true :)
ReplyDeleteQuindome, it IS true! She has the best hair in general. And to answer your question, yes, I'll definitely order it more regularly now - I'm excited to keep trying different kinds and to learn as much as I can about it!
ReplyDeleteyum.
ReplyDelete