Sake To Me . . .
July 10, 2013 3:06 PM Subscribe
I'm looking to get a good/special bottle of sake in Chicago. The problem? I know nothing about sake. Does anyone have recommendations for a $30 to $50 bottle of sake and ideas where I might find it here in the lovely Second City? Thanks!
Binny's is all over Chicago and the suburbs. You can search for the recommendations on their website and pick the closest location to you. Kubota didn't turn up but the Ginjo did.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:30 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:30 PM on July 10, 2013
You might be able to find a 375ml bottle of Tyku White in that range. It's pretty special.
posted by town of cats at 3:36 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by town of cats at 3:36 PM on July 10, 2013
Kariho Namahage has several advantages. One, it falls right within your price range. Two, it's delicious. Three, it's got a picture of a monster on the label (Namahage are monsters that threaten lazy children during the holidays, sort of like a northern Japanese version of Krampus).
posted by infinitywaltz at 3:55 PM on July 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by infinitywaltz at 3:55 PM on July 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do you like your wine to be sweet or dry?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:56 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:56 PM on July 10, 2013
I don't know my sake, but once you choose one, Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights has a liquor department.
posted by limeswirltart at 5:08 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by limeswirltart at 5:08 PM on July 10, 2013
I am also here to recommend Mitsuwa, which is going to have a much, much more extensive sake selection than Binny's. The whole store is fantastic, but if you've never been there before you should know that the liquor store is a separate shop within Mitsuwa, with its own checkout registers. I haven't been to Binny's in several years (I moved out of the area) but unless they have relocated the shop, go through the main doors and walk straight ahead rather than turning to enter the grocery part of the store; the liquor shop will be on your left.
posted by jessypie at 5:40 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by jessypie at 5:40 PM on July 10, 2013
Onikoroshi! Yeah! I barely know shit about sake, but Onikoroshi is the most memorably delicious one I have ever tried, so I came here to throw in that uninformed opinion and I'm psyched to see it's been suggested already. It's smooth with nice, not too sweet caramel notes. Also I am told that Onikoroshi means "demon slayer."
posted by clavicle at 7:36 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by clavicle at 7:36 PM on July 10, 2013
Perhaps a multitude of small bottles and some cedar boxes for a tasting?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:05 AM on July 11, 2013
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:05 AM on July 11, 2013
Response by poster: Great ideas, all! Thank you so much. This is for Friday night and sadly I just don't have the time to get out to Arlington Heights (though I have heard tell of the amazing Mitsuwa). Blazecock, I most definitely prefer dry. Keep 'em coming and I will print these answers out and start hitting various liquor stores on my way home tonight.
posted by fiery.hogue at 11:36 AM on July 11, 2013
posted by fiery.hogue at 11:36 AM on July 11, 2013
You know who knows sake in Chicago? Yusho! Give them a call or a visit and they should have advice. They are even planning a special sake night on July 18th.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:59 AM on July 16, 2013
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:59 AM on July 16, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by KokuRyu at 3:19 PM on July 10, 2013