Update 1:
Virtual Sake School at Ototo! 
For this particular visit, Owner-Sommelier Courtney Kaplan was going to host a Virtual Sake School on Japanese Sake Brewery Heiwa Shuzo (Wakayama, Japan). According to Sommelier Kaplan, Heiwa Shuzo was founded in 1928, but only really made Sake in earnest starting in the 1950’s after WWII. They took on the name “Heiwa”, which means “Peace” to mark the end of World War II.
And apparently it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the young son that was heir to Heiwa Shuzo returned to the brewery to help revitalize the family’s Sake business (which prior to that was making inexpensive carton Sake).
For this tasting, the special treat was being able to meet Heiwa Shuzo’s Toji (Master Brewer)! 
Courtney was able to arrange for the Toji to not only talk about the Sake, but also give us a tour of Heiwa Shuzo online! Very cool. 
We got to try 4 bottles in their lineup.
KID - Junmai Sake:
Refreshing, lightly sweet, a bit more rustic (in a good way) compared to the rest of the lineup. Delicious.
KID - Junmai Daiginjo Sake
As expected their Junmai Daiginjo was fruitier, floral, some sweetness, and finished so cleanly.
KID - Junmai Ginjo Shiboritate Sake
A Winter release, Shiboritate is basically unaged Sake, fresh from the presses. This was hard to describe as in a bit of unfortunate circumstance, the plastic container for this pour had a weird chemical smell to it! 
I chalk it up to a fluke as the rest of the containers were fine, darn.
KID - Junmai Ginjo Hiyaoroshi Sake
An Autumn Sake, left to mature through the Summer and then released in the Autumn, this results in a taste that’s rounder, more complex, still fruity, with sweetness, and tasty!
Fried Chicken Sandwich (Kara-age Style Fried Jidori Chicken, Yuzu Kosho Slaw, Daikon Pickles, Brioche Sesame Bun):
Given the mediocrity of Tsubaki’s menu, we had low expectations here, but their new To-Go Menu (during COVID-19) is simplified food, and it seems to have helped with execution. This was a solid Fried Chicken Sandwich. Definitely edible, the Fried Jidori Chicken isn’t as super crispy-crunchy as a usual American Fried Chicken Sandwich, but had a light crunch to it. The weak link was the overall taste: It was fine, but tasted like a standard-ish Kara-age style seasoning, just with a Sesame Seed Bun.
Japanese Curry Rice:
The server confirmed that they make their own Curry in-house, but the base did taste like S&B or House as the basis, but with additional enhancements on top. Still, the Beef morsels and overall Curry Sauce was aromatic, zesty, with a Curry Powder driven front note, some beefiness from the cooked down Beef within. I’d order this again if I was in the area for lunch and hankering for Japanese Curry.
Another Visit:
Finally just this past week, Tsubaki / Ototo announced that they just got in Shichida’s famous Spring Sake! Time for a visit!
Shichida - (Spring Release) Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Ginjo Sake (Saga, Japan):
Now an annual celebration, when you see Shichida’s Spring Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Ginjo Sake in your local restaurants, it marks the arrival of Spring! 
Taking a sip…
Wild, sweet, yeasty, naturally effervescent! It’s like a party in your mouth, so many flavors and layers and it’s so expressive! 
We completely missed last year’s Shichida Spring release because the pandemic had just hit and everyone was in lockdown. So it’s been 2 years(!) since we last enjoyed this amazing Sake.
Definitely one of the best Sake we’ve had this year, and as enjoyable as the last Shichida Spring Muroka Nama Genshu we tried 2 years ago. Thanks again @ColinMorey!
Soriresu (Two Skewers Charcoal Grilled Chicken Oysters, Yuzu Kosho):
Wanting to see how the kitchen progressed now that they were back open for outdoor dining, we decided to try a few dishes along with the excellent Sake. The Soriresu were 2 Yakitori Skewers of Grilled Chicken Oysters. These were too salty, oversalted in seasoning and then the Yuzu Kosho inherently is salty as well. The lack of understanding here sunk the dish. The actual flavor also lacked the depth of great Binchotan (Japanese Charcoal) Yakitori.
Yoshidagura - “U-nique!” - Yamahai Junmai Sake (Ishikawa, Japan):
Thankfully things bounced back quickly with yet another stunning Sake recommendation from Sommelier Kaplan: Yoshidagura “U-nique!” Yamahai Junmai Sake. It appears Yoshidagura is from the son of excellent Japanese Sake Brewery Tedorigawa! (@ColinMorey @ipsedixit @A5KOBE @Sgee @paranoidgarliclover), which is the makers of one of my favorite QPR selections, Tedorigawa Kinka “Gold Blossom” Nama Daiginjo Sake, which is super delicious, easy to drink and sells for only ~$43 per bottle! (Thanks again @ColinMorey)
So the son of the brewery released a new Yamahai under his own label (but still brewed at Tedorigawa according to Courtney) called “Yoshidagura”. This Yamahai-style Sake is totally different from Tedorigawa’s Yamahai that we’ve had multiple times. This one is definitely “unique” as it’s bright, summery, refreshing, lightly sweet. Excellent!
Ikura Ochazuke (Steamed Koshihikari Rice, House-Cured Salmon Roe, Mitsuba, Wasabi, Genmai Matcha Wasabi Broth):
Thankfully their Ochazuke turned out to be good and one of the safe items to order on the menu (it’s hard to mess up Steamed Rice, Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Hot Tea poured on top). 
This was tasty though, as the Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Steamed Rice, with some of the Genmai Matcha Broth was perfect to keep us warm in the chilly outdoors. I’d order this again.
(Off-Menu) Takeno Tsuyu - Hakurosuishu - “Moon Mountain’s Dew” - Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Ginjo Sake (Yamagata, Japan):
And in a stunning surprise, Courtney brought out something not on the menu, but also fitting this Spring season: Takeno Tsuyu (quickly becoming a favorite thanks to @ColinMorey)'s Hakurosuishu - “Moon Mountain’s Dew” release of a Muroka Nama Genshu(!) Junmai Ginjo Sake. I’d never heard of this one before (having tried their Junmai Daiginjo last year).
This was wild with big flavors, and not overly sweet (like their Junmai Daiginjo), but it finished super crisp and clean! Outstanding! We really enjoyed their simple Takeno Tsuyu Junmai at Torihei, but this Muroka Nama Genshu is a lot of fun.
Tsubaki and Ototo continue to provide an important gateway for folks interested in tasting and learning more about Japanese Sake, thanks to Owner-Sommelier Courtney Kaplan. She continues to shine here, bringing over some really interesting, not as commonly found Sake, where too many of our local Japanese restaurants just carry the big brand names these days.
With Spring arriving, there’s never been a better time to try some delicious Sake, with all of the Spring limited releases. If you can only try one, be sure to try Shichida’s Spring Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Ginjo Sake. It will show a side of “Sake” that you’ve experienced before if you’re mainly drinking Junmai Ginjo / Daiginjo’s from the big brands.
After that, just sit back and ask Courtney for additional recommendations and enjoy the wonderful world of Japanese Sake with interesting insight from the outstanding Sommelier.
Ototo Sake Bar & Tsubaki
1360 Allison Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Tel: (213) 784-7930
Note: Outdoor Dining is currently being done through Tsubaki.
