sushi bars that serve Kubota Mangu by the glass or maybe even half or third bottle...

[kevin]

Thanks guys.

[la2tokyo]

FWIW, I have had manju by the glass in a few places in LA over the years and in every instance it had been open so long that it didn't taste like manju.

[bulavinaka]

That's been my experience as well. Not long after it's opened, 10,000 celebrations turns to 1,000, and 100 isn't far behind. Junmai daiginjyo sake seems to have a very short half-life once the bottle is opened. A new bottle is the way to go.

[silverlakebodhisattva]

Anyone know how restaurants selling this level of sake by the glass store their opened bottles? Do they top 'em off with nitrogen and seal 'em, or just sorta put the top back on?

[la2tokyo]

I highly doubt any restaurants put preservatives in the bottles. I think the best bet would be to go to a busy, high-end sushi bar on Saturday and hope that you got one the day it was opened. The worst glasses I had were all at cheaper izakayas. But for the price of one glass in any of those places you could probably pay for half a bottle at a retailer somewhere. Or maybe find another Hounder to go in on a bottle with you at a restaurant. Although it's kind of cliche, Manju is really good sake that is worth paying a markup for once in your life. It really defines Niigata style and everything people like about it.

[Porthos]

Sushi Gen does kubota manju by the glass. So does Kasen in OC.

Not sushi, but Torihei also does kubota manju by the glass.

[kevin]

thanks, i'll probably have to try it at Torihei.

now what should i have for food at Torihei?

Is Torihei basically an izakaya, with yakitoriya skewers ?

and i'll most definitely skip gen, unless i can just have a plate of edamame there and a glass of manjgu and then skit and skaddle on off to a real sushi bar.

[Porthos]

At Torihei:

Cucumber and tomato salad
Soft boiled egg with ikura
Yakitori chicken wings, heart, special heart, meat balls, tomatoes, okra wrapped with bacon
Ground chicken rice with that amazing chicken soup.

[kevin]

open for lunch too ???

thanks.