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.
See you tomorrow!