Best Bars With Sake In Sacramento
Wine lovers know there is a big difference between truly good vino and the gallon jug of Chablis; one is pure and dances on the tongue while the other tastes like cider vinegar mixed with Sweet Tarts. The same can be said of sake, a fermented alcoholic drink often referred to as rice wine. The cheap stuff that was often served in roadside restaurants is nothing like the complex, pleasing flavors of well-made sake. The traditionally Japanese beverage is becoming more popular in the U.S. and fans have many places to enjoy it in Sacramento.
Gekkeikan Sake USA
1136 Sibley St.
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 985-3111
www.gekkeikan-sake.com
Some say that to truly appreciate something, you must go straight to the source. In this case, the source is the Gekkeikan Sake brewery in Folsom. The brewery has a tasting room where guests can sample plum wine and various sakes made on the premises; the tasting room is open on weekdays and on the second Saturday of each month. The state-of-the-art, elegant brewery is surrounded by a lushly planted koi pond and garden area. Self-guided brewery tours can be taken on weekdays and groups of eight or more people can make an appointment for a guided tour. Sake, Japanese snacks and gifts are available for purchase and the brewery periodically holds hands-on classes on making sushi.
Ninja Sushi
8937 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 369-1935
www.ninjasushisac.com
The restaurant specializes in sashimi, traditional and kicked-up sushi, rolls and other Japanese cuisine, but it is often appreciated more for its bar offerings. Ninja serves a variety of sakes, both cold and hot, along with a sake cooler and lychee or watermelon-flavored sake. One of the popular cold sakes is Nigori, an unfiltered version that tastes sweet and bold. Most nights of the week there are special discounts on “sake bombs,” a boilermaker-style cocktail made by sinking a shot glass of sake into a beer.
Related: Best Wine Stores In Sacramento
Kru Restaurant
2516 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 551-1559
www.krurestaurant.com
Kru is an elegant, upscale restaurant that serves contemporary Japanese food. Epicurean delights include lobster tempura, foie gras made with monkfish and a special roll of soft shell crab, avocado, albacore tuna, salmon and chives in a garlicky cream sauce. Ask for suggested food and sake pairings. As with fine wine, different types of sake complement different dishes. Happy hour specials may include a Moonstone Sake sampler, a trio of infused sakes flavored with pear, coconut-lemongrass or plum.
Silver Sake
4949 Marconi Ave., Suite D
Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 473-6368
www.silversakesushi.com
Silver Sake serves a variety of dishes including lunch or dinner bento boxes, tempura, teriyaki, grilled eel donburi, nigiri and sashimi. One appetizer, sea scallops wrapped in bacon, has been a particular hit with Sacramento diners. There are vegetarian options, and the chef is happy to make a roll customized to a customer’s wishes. Bar staples include hot or cold sake, cold Silver or Black & Gold sake and Zipang. The latter is a fizzy sake likened to champagne, with a light and slightly sweet flavor. Keep an eye out for special happy hour deals on sake paired with food.
Zen Sushi
900 15th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-9628
www.zen-sushi.com
Zen Sushi offers fresh Japanese cuisine in a clean and modern setting. Portions are generally quite large and prices are reasonable. The restaurant has a sizable selection of sakes to satisfy the palate and to enhance the food. Wakatake Onikoroshi “Demon Slayer” is an excellent extra dry sake that is perfect for pairing with spicier foods, such as the jalapeno, scallion and spicy tuna Firecracker Roll or the Volcano Roll filled with salmon, asparagus, snow crab, tuna and masago fish roe in a spicy sauce. Another popular sake, Kurosawa, is a richly flavored sake with a lightly sweet scent, and unfiltered Nigori and Star sparkling sakes and the ubiquitous sake bombs are available as well.
Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.