kibō, Gramercy’s new modern Japanese restaurant and lounge hosted a special Sake tasting on Monday, December 5th. Guests had a chance to sample four of the restaurant’s 51 sakes while nibbling on sushi, noodles and grilled oysters from kibō’s electic menu.

Featured sakes included:

• Yoshinogawa Gensen Karakuchi, Niigata

From the fifth oldest brewery in Japan, brewing sake since 1542.  Grassy, lightly herbaceous aromas with a clean, dry finish

• Toyo Bijin “Super Dry” Junmai Ginjo, Yamaguchi

One of the driest sakes available, with strawberry, peach, and yeast aromas.

• Murai Family Nigori Genshu, Aomori

Very rich and intense style of nigori sake; confectionary aromas with a layered, complex finish.  Excellent with chocolate and spicy foods.

• Koten 1997 Aged Junmai Koshu, Saitama

Unusual aged sake with flavors reminiscent of briny, nutty sherries.  Sweet and savory butterscotch notes with a hint of truffle.

Stephen Hanson’s BR Guest Hospitality collaborated with Chef Joël Robuchon, recipient of the most Michelin stars in the world, to open kibō Japanese Grill in New York. Kibō is the first partnership between NYC-based restaurateur Hanson and the acclaimed French chef, who has collaborated with Hanson as a culinary consultant, creating a menu of robata grill, sushi, noodles and Japanese small plates.

Leading up to the opening of kibō, Robuchon entrusted Yosuke Suga, Robuchon’s disciple for 15 years, with training the kibō staff and implementing the Robuchon-crafted menu. Suga, native to Japan, drew upon his sweeping experience opening L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Tokyo, L’Atelier in New York City in the Four Seasons Hotel followed by Taipei, and most recently Champs Elysees in Paris. Robuchon with Suga and the rest of the kibō team bring modern Japanese dishes at a great value to New Yorkers with dishes such as Lobster Miso Soup, Smoked Pork Ramen, “dressed sushi” from Sushi of Gari Alum Boo Lim, and skewered items like Wagyu Beef from the Robata Grill.

kibō is now open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-5pm, and for dinner 7 days a week:

111 East 18th Street at Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10003

212-824-2770

www.kibōnyc.com

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