On Dining: Sake Nomi plans the local authority on rice wine, bar none

Kanpai!

Sake fans will have new reason to cheer when Sake Nomi opens in Pioneer Square (76 S. Washington St.) later this month. The business is part store, part tasting room, featuring more than 150 brands of premium sake. The owners plan to add a steady stream of new producers, often working directly with brewers in Japan.

Michigan native Johnnie Stroud lived in Japan for seven years, where he met his wife, Taiko. The couple decided to open the sake-only store after some great learning experiences with wine sellers in Seattle.

"We got to thinking that we would like to provide that kind of guidance," Stroud said, "letting customers test-drive a bottle before buying."

Part of their lesson plan includes a sake mini-museum, exploring history and traditions, regional influences and the hands-on craftsmanship that goes into producing this ancient beverage. They also will carry sake sets made by Seattle artists.

There are no plans to serve food beyond peanuts and palate-cleansing crackers, but Stroud said he would love to work with chefs at area restaurants to do some sake-centric meals.