During Hawaii Cocktail Week at the bar The Manifest I attended a seminar lead by Takayuki Suzuki, in which Suzuki demonstrated several cocktails. It was terrific and I'll do my best to explain how so. I think I've observed modern Japanese bartending enough now to make a few observations about... Read more →
In the December issue of Oakland Magazine, I have a short piece about Japanese drinking culture in Oakland. The story is centered on UmamiMart, the online and brick-and-mortar shop selling Japanese bar (and kitchen) tools. I also mention big ice (of course) at places like Prizefighter, and Japanese whisky like... Read more →
I have a short piece in the new issue of Caviar Affair magazine describing the influence of Japanese bartending on the rest of the world. The magazine also has lots of pricey booze recomendations, stories about port and cognac, and a few bartenders you may know. The digital version of... Read more →
Here are some observations about bars in Japan from my trip with Suntory whiskies. You can smoke in bars in Japan. Bars were all a little bit smoky, but none of them I visited were smoky that your eyes hurt. When you enter a cocktail bar and most other types... Read more →
On my five-day visit to Japan with Suntory whiskies I hit 21 bars by my count. I am talking about them in groups. Next up: The Rest of Them. The difference between the various styles of bars is subtle and I'm defining them as I see them. I'll be describing... Read more →
On my five-day visit to Japan with Suntory whiskies I hit 21 bars by my count. I am talking about them in groups. Next up: Standing and Highball Bars. The difference between the various styles of bars is subtle and I'm defining them as I see them. I'll be describing... Read more →
On my five-day visit to Japan with Suntory whiskies I hit 21 bars by my count. I am talking about them in groups. Next up: Cocktail Bars. The difference between the various styles of bars is subtle and I'm defining them as I see them. I'll be describing whisky bars,... Read more →
On my five-day visit to Japan with Suntory whiskies I hit over 20 bars. I think the best way to talk about them will be in groups. First up: Whisky Bars. The difference between the various styles of bars is subtle and I'm defining them as I see them. I'll... Read more →