Tuesday 28th April 2009 Price: £95 for 6 course tasting menu and matching sakes BOOK ONLINE TODAY – or call +44 (0) 20 3148 4513 Discover superb sakes selected from Ichishima Shuzo brewery, considered one of the grand cru of Japan's premier sake-producing region. These will be matched with an exquisite tasting menu at Sake No Hana restaurant, London SW1
For the first time, Decanter will be hosting a Sake dinner, with sakes introduced by Kenji Ichishima, President of Ichishima Shuzo brewery, held at Sake No Hana, the acclaimed Japanese restaurant in St James’s, in the heart of Piccadilly.
Without question, Kenji Ichishima is one of the most remarkable brewers in the sake industry today. Having grown up in a brewery with a rich history that stretches back more than 200 years, he combines a deep respect for tradition, with a willingness to implement new methods. Widely regarded as one of the most prominent breweries in the Niigata region, Ichishima Shuzo has been owned and operated by the Ichishima family since its founding in 1790.
Despite its history and tradition, the brewery is no stranger to innovation. When the fourth president of the company returned from a trip to Germany, he designed the Oumon label in the style of European family crests, a label that Ichishima continues to use to this day. The brewery is also proud to be one of the first to open its doors to female brewery workers, something that was long resisted by other brewers throughout the country.
By deftly balancing tradition with a commitment to open-mindedness, Ichishima
Shuzo has been able to produce consistently high quality sake, as evidenced by its perennial status as a gold medal winner at the National New Sake Competition.
Appetizer
Sesame aubergine
King crab and cucumber
Sunomono
Lotus root kinpira
Seabass with ponzu sauce
Paired with Ichishima Daiginjo sake to balance the acidity.
Ethereal and floral, the flavors of this refined sake change during
its long, smooth finish.
Sashimi
Yellowtail, tuna, salmon
Paired with Ichishima Junmai Ginjo sake.
The complex notes and sweet entry of this sake give way to a creamy,
light body.
Grilled
Miso Chilean seabass in houba leaf
Grilled tuna with avocado and okra
Ebi fry
Yellowtail teriyaki
Paired with Ichishima Honjozo sake to cleanse the palate.
Light and crisp with toasty aromas, this sake is like a cool ocean
breeze. Served chilled.
Braised
Pork ribs with sugar snap
Chicken and kanpyo maki roll
Paired with five-year-old Ichishima Ginjo Koshu.
This medium-bodied, powerful sake is aged to perfection. Rich, nutty,
and incredibly smooth on the palate.
Sushi/sushi rolls
Tuna, soft-shell crab, eel, futomaki roll
Paired with dry Ichishima Ginjo.
This complex sake compliments sushi perfectly.
Dessert
Matcha parfait
Nashi pear tart with lavender and chocolate ice cream
Paired with Ichishima Silk Deluxe Junmai.
Silk in a bottle, this sake is light and energetic. Its mild sweetness
and smooth finish make it extremely dessert-friendly.
Price: £95 for 6 course tasting menu and matching sakes
BOOK ONLINE TODAY – or call +44 (0) 20 3148 4513
Written by