Once a food and drink blog that transformed into an online shop and brick-and-mortar bar, Oakland-based Umami Mart—founded by Kayoko Akabori and Yoko Kumano—centers on functional design, kitchen accessories, barware, food and beverages. Umami Mart’s ever-growing selection of shochu, and Akabori and Kumano’s interest in learning more, inspired them to write about the distilled spirit (most commonly made from barley, rice or sweet potato) and to …
Italian spirits have undergone a renaissance in the US. Though many Italian distillers have sought a Denominazione di origine controllata (D.O.C.) for numerous amaro styles, which would restrict the official category to Italy (like Champagne in France), many spirits producers across the US try their hand at making bitter botanical spirits. There are several distilleries in Brooklyn alone making high-quality fernet, aperitivi, and amari. Faccia …
On 16 March, New York City’s mayor announced that all restaurants and bars were to suspend on-premise drinking or dining for the foreseeable future. The executive order went into effect at 9AM the next day. Shortly thereafter, the New York State Liquor Authority swiftly updated its longstanding rules for selling alcohol to help businesses cope with this detrimental disruption to traditional hospitality. While countless restaurants …
