MICHELIN-STAR RATED HAKUBAI RESTAURANT TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE SAKE PAIRING FEATURING AKIRA SAKE FROM THE KANAZAWA DAICHI ORGANIC FARM IN JAPAN THROUGH MARCH 12, 2010 FOR JUST $30 PER PERSON

NEW YORK, NY – The critically-acclaimed Hakubai Restaurant at The Kitano New York Hotel will offer an exclusive Sake Pairing in the newly designed restaurant through March 12, 2010.  The Sake pairing will feature Akira Sake imported for the occasion from the Kanazawa Daichi organic farm in Japan along with a special tasting menu created by Executive Chef Sato.  Akira Sake was specially selected for the occasion by Sake Sommelier Chizuko Niikawa, known for her extensive knowledge of Sake and pairing expertise.

The Sake Pairing menu will feature Akira Sake served warm and presented in a traditional Tokkuri Japanese decanter.  The menu will consist of three tasting portions of Ika Syuto Ae (squid marinated in Bonito liver), Alaskan King Crab Kani Miso Ae (Alaskan King Crab Marinated in Crab Brain) and Tako Wakame Kyurisu (Octopus, seaweed and cucumber marinated in Japanese rice vinegar).   Complimenting the menu will be the pairing of Akira Sake traditionally served warm and presented tableside in a Japanese Tokkuri.  The cost is just $30 per person and includes complimentary Sake; exclusive of tax and gratuities. For reservations call Hakubai Restaurant at (212) 885-7111 or e-mail Hakubai@kitano.com.

Ika Syuto Ae

Squid marinated in Bonito Liver

Alaskan King Crab Kani Miso Ae

Alaskan king crab Marinated in Crab Brain

Tako Wakame Kyurisu

Octopus, Seaweed and Cucumber Marinated in Japanese Rice Vinegar

Their sake organic Junmai “Akira” is made with their organic Mitsuhikari rice, which is grown and certified organic in Japan. The name “Akira” is from the name of the chairperosn of Kanazawa Daichi Mr. Akira Imura, who is 68 years old. His farming practice focuses on : safety, affordable prices, and a continuous supply of delicious and stable agricultural farm products. Akira Imura has been farming rice, wheat, soybean, and vegetables for over 50 years in a large area of reclaimed land known as “Kahokugata”, a suburb of Kanazawa city in Ishikawa prefecture. Kanazawa Daichi also produces tofu, miso, and soy sauce all made with their organic ingredients and traditional methods handed down for generations. This is Mr. Akira Imura’s fifty-second year farming rice. Mr. Imura says there is nothing he would change about his life. He continues to grow and harvest rice and keep a strong connection to the true spirit of farming.

Junmai Akira, you will feel the power of pure, natural rice with your very first sip. Quite robust, a touch rugged and with a bitter undertone…. These flavors immediately bring to mind the beauty of a vast Japanese rice field. I highly recommend Akira Sake be served warm, in the range of 98F – 108F. You’ll find the flavor to be very mild and creamy, yet still having a nice bitterness and acidity, much as you would enjoy with a Yamahai or Kimoto style sake. Akira has an exciting, new flavor, but also remains true to the traditional taste of Japanese sake. I want everyone to know…. Akira is one of the best sakes in the world for serving warm!

We had a special party at authentic Japanese restaurant Hakubai New York on February, 3rd. Hakubai was renewed end of January. I love Hakubai, but new Hakubai is soooo beautiful!! Food is wonderful as always, but the atmosphere is brighter and more modern classic now. You have to try!

I produced their first New York tour, and had great tasting events with the farmers in New York. It was unforgettable days! So many people enjoyed and felt their farmer’s spirits!! See the pictures!! Farmer’s spirits made them big smile!!

They are looking for importers and distributors for US market. If you are interested in their products, let them know!

photos by Atsushi Nishijima

Are you looking for new sake, organic sake, or great Junmai for warm sake?

Please join our tasting event at Sakaya on Feb. 4th from 5pm! You can try organic junmai “Akira” (not available U.S. market yet), and also you can enjoy the big difference of the flavor of organic rice Mitsuhikari and organic sake rice Gohyakumangoku with the rice farmers of Kanazawa Daichi from Ishikawa prefecture. It’s going to be very unusual fun tasting.

Sakaya

324 East 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-7253

I’ll be serving great Organic Junmai “Akira” with Japanese organic farmers from Kanazawa Daichi from Ishikawa prefecture at Sakagura on February 4th from 8pm! Don’t miss it!

Sakagura

211 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 953-7253