Sake-smitten? Head To Nombe Nombe's Sake Sommelier Gil Payne Announces Sake Lover's Club, Ongoing Monthly Pairings

For those who long to savor the contrasts between a glass of Kubota Senju and one of Urakasumi, Nombe restaurant in the Mission District is offering a series of monthly sake tastings and also launching a Sake Lover's Club.

Gil Payne, Nombe's co-owner and sake sommelier, is the man behind the contemporary izakaya-style Japanese restaurant's impressive eight-page sake menu with tasting notes. He leads the monthly exploration of a featured sake, also offering sake history, etiquette and insight on food pairings.

For Thursday, July 22, Executive Chef Nick Balla has put together a splendid pairing against the entire lineup of Take no Tsuyu sakes, including Yuki Honoka Hatsushibori, Genzo Haguro Tokkuri Honjozo, and Yuzuki, the 17 year-aged namesake koshu that Aisawa-san brewed in honor of the birth of his first daughter. The pairings are:

Braised Chicken with Tofu, Take no Tsuyu Junmai
Local Albacore Sashimi, Hakuro Suishu Junmai Ginjo
Green Bean Tempura with curried salt, Yuki Honoka Hatsushibori
Yuzuki Dai Koshu with Ume Coconut Sorbet and Black Raspberries
The pairing event, which begins at 7:00 p.m, will feature five sake and four dishes for $50 per person. The pairings will be coursed out over a one-hour period, and a detailed profile of the sake, the brewery and the pairings will be provided to every participating guest. "Take no Tsuyu is my favorite sake brewer in Japan," says Payne, "and I have even had the privilege of working at the brewery for a day." He adds that in giving these classes he hopes to demystify sake for diners and augment their sake enjoyment. Enthusiasts will not want to miss this beautiful pairing of sublime Tohoku region sake with the cuisine of Nombe!

Nombe's August 18 tasting will feature the sakes of Masumi Brewery of Suwa, Nagano, including its summer namazakes. In addition, the restaurant has launched its Sake Lover's Club, in which a new member purchases Genzo Tokkuri Haguro Honjozo in a traditional "family sake bottle" at cost, and refills it at a discounted rate.

For reservations and more information on sake-related events at Nombe, please call or e-mail the restaurant at the contact information below. For more on Gil's sake wisdom, read here....http://www.nombesf.com/team/

Nombe is located at 2491 Mission Street (near 21st Street) in San Francisco. Its menus change frequently so diners are encouraged to check online at www.nombesf.com and @Nombe on Twitter, or call ahead (415-681-7150) for more information and reservations. Hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to close (1:30-2:00 a.m.), with a late night menu at Nombe's newly opened Snack Bar available after 11:00 p.m.