Fine Japanese sake lists at Little Tokyo's Toranoko and Lazy Ox

Aburiya Toranoko Little Tokyo has an extensive sake list

I rushed out to Abuirya Toranoko the first weekend it opened in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo because I knew owner Michael Cardenas is a true Japanese sake connoisseur. I was not disappointed in the sake list: more than 34 premium Japanese sakes to choose from as well as shochu and Japanese beers. Behind the bar is beverage director/mixologist Kurtis Wells who actually knows A LOT about sake (refreshing) and was happy to share his enthusiasm.  The ultra-mod izakaya, with gleaming bar, vibrant graphics and a small sushi bar, presents a serious menu of sake from sparkling, to Nama sakes like Rin from Fukushimi to the an ultra premium, crisp Ken daiginjo also from Fukushima ($118 for the bottle).

The sake list is very clear: sakes are divided by their flavor profiles and aspects from aromatic (floral and fruity) to roughly filtered, cloudy nigoris. Sit at the bar and try a few five ounce tastes before delving into the menu.

Chiyomusubi Kitaro Jungin one cup sake from Lazy Ox.

We progressed next door to the Lazy Ox Canteen (also a Michael Cardenas enterprise) and continued on the sake highway. Although their selection is not as diverse as Toronoko's, happy to try Chiyomusubi Kitaro Jungin one cup sake, a super-dry sake that features Kitaro, a famed anime character on the label.

Toranoko
243 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-621-9500

Sake tastings in Los Angeles: Plate by Plate and The Drums Inside Your Chest

Two possibilities for sake tastings this weekend: at Project by Project's 7th annual tasting benefit Plate by Plate, in addition to numerous restaurants, Japanese beer, wine and cognac, there will be three sake brewers to sample: two domestic, Gekkeikan and Ozeki as well as Hakutsuru from Japan. Try all three to compare U.S. to Japanese sake styles. Sampling different types of sake is the first step to discerning your own preferences.

Also on Saturday, Ty-Ku (makers of sake in the U.S. and Japan as well as Shoju) are sponsoring The Drums Inside Your Chest v. III spoken word event at the Los Angeles Theater Center. Sake + poets = speaking in tongues.

Sake events in Los Angeles: Tasting and dinner at the Wine House

West L.A.'s Wine House is known for its almost encyclopediac collection of wines, beers and a well rounded selection of premium sakes. Last year, I met sake expert John Gauntner there; this Friday July 31 st there six sakes being presented all from breweries in Niigata--Manotsuru, Hakkaisan, Kikusui and Ichishima. It's $6 for six tastes, reps of the brands will be there to answer questions. Following the tastings, there's a four course dinner with 10 sakes at Upstairs 2. Wine House sake buyer Coffield Appiah picked the sakes, which represent different styles and price points. Instead of a sweet sake, he's pairing dessert with two namazakes or draft sakes that have only been pasteurized once--sweet! The dinner is $85; the sake ceviche should pair nicely with the Manotsuru Red Crane Junmai.

Coffield advises the Wine House will host a mini-sake festival and showcase for 17 breweries on October 4th from 12-4 p.m. Check back here for more details!