Had dinner Friday night at our favorite sushi restaurant in San Francisco, Akiko’s Restaurant on Bush. (This is not to be confused with Akiko’s Sushi on Mason, which is not in the same league, not even close; San Francisco can be like that sometimes.) Now, Akiko’s Restaurant can be extremely difficult to get a reservation – especially at the sushi bar, especially at the (relatively) last moment. But in the interest of full disclosure, the owner is a friend of ours, and we were able to score just such a reservation for the two of us, plus our oldest daughter (whom we had just picked up at SFO, flying home from college for Spring break).
Aside from some truly amazing food – indeed, everything we come here, it seems we are served something I’ve never tasted before, or anywhere else – we had the following sakes . . .
Dewazakura Mini-Daiginjo “Sakura Boy”
Now, I’ll be the first to confess I have no idea why this is called a “mini-daiginjo” – never even heard that term before – but the rice (Yamadanishiki variety) was polished to 48% . . . definitely “daiginjo territory,” if you will. Produced in the Yamagata prefecture, this sake is very delicate and subtle, but opens beautifully – truly delicious! But this was a small bottle (320ml), and so we moved on to
Dewazakura Dewasansan “Green Ridge”
This is a ginjo sake that could (I think) be classified as a daiginjo, in that the rice (Dewasansan variety) is indeed polished to 50% – only 60% is required, while 50% is the minimum for a daiginjo, but who am I to argue? – more floral in the nose, with a tart green apple finish. Very enjoyable. (320ml).
Then, we ran into a friend of ours who insisted on buying us another bottle – and I must say, we were very glad she did!
Miyasaka Yamahai 50 Nama “Last Ride Home”
This brilliant sake comes from the Miyasaka Brewery, which traces its roots back to 1662, in Suwa in the Nagano prefecture. This is a Nama (unpasteurized) Junmai Ginjo, produced from Miyamanishiki rice polished to 50%. This was truly an amazing sake, one of the best I have ever had! (720ml).
, for a Bonkers west coast IPA and a Hello El Dorado. Both were delicious.
