Roka Akor Announces Their First Sake Week

I’m not a big drinker at all, and to be honest I have never even tried sake. That may definitely change with the launch of Roka Akor’s (456 North Clark) first annual Sake Week (January 6-10). The stylish steak and sushi restaurant aims to share the sake love. Partnering with Certified Sake Specialist, Aya Nomoto of Tenzing Wine and Spirits, the Japanese native will guide guests through a sake tasting and brief history of the Japanese rice wine during the restaurant’s lunch service throughout the week. In addition, Roka Akor will have Eric Swanson of Wirtz Beverage Group and Tenzing on hand for a select number of days. Eric is considered the world’s foremost sake expert; he is a Certified Sake Advisor as well as Advanced Sake Professional, overseeing the sake programs for both Wirtz Nevada and Tenzing. Please call ahead to confirm the date of his appearance.

Guests who choose to participate will have the opportunity to taste nine different sakes, considered to be some of the best in the world, for $20 with half of that cost going to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The tasting will take place in the lounge and once the guests choose their favorite sake, they can enjoy a glass of their chosen sake over lunch. The tasting includes the following sake varieties:

Narutotai

Wakatake Onikoroshi Daiginjo

Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi

Eiko Fuji Honkara

Seikyo Junmai

Kikusui Junmai Ginjo

Dassai 50

Kenbishi Mizuho

Mizbasho Ginjo

Via Roka Akor/Isabelle