Go out to any Japanese restaurant in Honolulu that serves booze and you'll likely find, at the very least, a respectable sake menu. I've marveled at the exotic sake selections on offer at hole-in-the-wall sushi joints in Honolulu. An annual event, the Joy of Sake is the ultimate sake fiend fiesta. It stops in Honolulu as well as San Francisco and New York and attendees can pick amongst 250 pours of artisanal rice wine. Thirteen Honolulu restaurants serve food to accompany the libations (notables include L'Uraku, Chai's Island Bistro, and Orchids from the Halekulani). The only drawback -- the venue is a bit impersonal and booming but hey, after a few pours who can tell the diff?

Joy of Sake
July 27, 2006 - 6PM - 8:30PM
Hawaii Convention Center
1801 Kalakaua Avenue
Tickets $65 per person

—Alex, 07/19/06