Latest news with #Kumiko
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This Chicago bar was just named the #1 bar in the world
Chicago has a lot to celebrate this month. Not only did we make Time Out's list of the best cities for nightlife in the country, but Kumiko just got named the best bar in the world at the 19th annual Spirited Awards in New Orleans. Of course, this comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever sipped a cocktail there. Kumiko is one of Chicago's most beloved (and best) dining experiences, seamlessly blending the precision of Japanese cocktail culture with Midwestern hospitality. Nestled in the West Loop, the intimate, minimalist bar is led by the incomparable Julia Momosé, who opened Kumiko in 2018 alongside local restaurateurs Cara and Noah Sandoval. Kumiko offers an omakase-style tasting menu for both cocktails and food, and each course arrives with intention, storytelling and flavors that linger. It has been recognized as special from the start, earning a Michelin star in 2019 for original chef Mariya Russell, making her the first Black woman to be awarded a Michelin star. In addition to World's Best Bar, Kumiko also won Best Restaurant Bar. Also honored at the Spirited Awards were Sip and Guzzle in New York City (Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar), Trick Dog in San Francisco (Best U.S. Cocktail Bar) and Phoenix's Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott (Best U.S. Hotel Bar). Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London earned Best International Hotel Bar, and Panda & Sons, in Edinburgh, Scotland, took World's Best Cocktail Menu. In Time Out Chicago's review of Kumiko, critic Maggie Hennessy wrote it 'raises the bar on fine dining and delivers a superb lineup of sake- and shochu-centric sips and delicate bites imbued with Japanese flavors.' On top of dominating the world with its cocktails, Kumiko also just landed at No. 10 on the 50 Best Bars of North America list, the first Chicago bar to make the list since 2018. In addition to those two accolades, Momosé previously won a James Beard Award for the cookbook .
Eater
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Suave Cocktail Bar Companion to Melrose Hill's Corridor 109 Is Open
is the Lead Editor of the Southern California/Southwest region, and has covered dining, restaurants, food culture, and nightlife in Los Angeles since 2008. Ask Brian Baik what he would've opened in 2020 — when he relocated from New York City to his hometown of Los Angeles — what his first-ever restaurant would have been, and he probably wouldn't have answered with a bar. But on July 29, Baik will debut Bar 109 with bartender Kayla Garcia overseeing the drinks and general manager Jon Tran. The bar will open in the front portion of his forthcoming tasting menu restaurant, Corridor 109, which has been in development for years. Garcia was most recently at Kumiko, which just won the 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar and is currently number 10 in the North America 50 Best Bars. Kumiko is known for blending elements of a classic Japanese whisky bar with a beverage omakase. Garcia was also at Thunderbolt's Hollywood offshoot Night on Earth before landing at Bar 109. Ichigo Punch at Bar 109. Oolong Boulevardier at Bar 109. At Bar 109, Garcia will serve updated versions of classic cocktails, like the gently salted Marine Layer, a type of martini mixing gin, Manzanilla sherry, dry vermouth, saline, and white kelp. The Ichigo Punch blends summer ingredients of strawberry and basil with vodka, mezcal, clarified milk, and junmai sake. A Korean-inflected Chic Hey (named after sikhae) employs malted barley, fermented rice, and non-alcoholic kombucha for a spirit-free sipper. While at Kumiko, Garcia earned a sake sommelier certification, and she compiled a standalone sake menu alongside the greater wine list, which was curated by master sommelier Michael Englemann. As for food, Baik will serve a bar bites menu for probably the first time in his career, which has mostly occupied the world of New York City fine dining. Start with a smoked salmon dip with Ritz crackers and then ogle the massive shrimp cocktail using some of the largest shrimp (U-10, meaning under 10 shrimp per pound) on the market. A fried fish sandwich inspired by Japanese nanbankan comes with hefty tartar sauce and pickles between potato buns. A wagyu hot dog heavy on Dijon mustard comes with pickled pepper relish. For Bar 109, Montalba Architects designed a sleek, mostly black-painted space anchored by the striking Forest Gold marble countertop with tendrils of rusty brown running across its surface, an element that Baik said he went 'all out' on in terms of cost. Three elliptical tables allow for groups to congregate and potentially take in some pre- or post-dinner drinks once Corridor 109 opens. But unlike the likely pricey dinner that will await those folks, Bar 109 won't take reservations and is intended to be a casual neighborhood hangout open until midnight. Debuting on July 29, Bar 109 will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., and is located at 641 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90004. Food and drinks at Bar 109. Marine Layer cocktail. Coconut Swizzle, a non-alcoholic cocktail at Bar 109. Kayla Garcia, Brian Baik, and Jon Tran at Bar 109 in Los Angeles.
Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Chicago named one of the best nightlife cities in America, beating NYC and LA
When you have the kind of winters Chicago has, you understand how to have a good time, no matter the weather. Now we're getting the recognition we deserve as the second-plash finisher on Time Out's ranking of best cities for nightlife in North America, after Sin City itself, Las Vegas. Yes, that means the Windy City beat out on nightlife powerhouses like New York City, Los Angeles and Miami. But that's not exactly a surprise to anyone who knows that a Tuesday night can be just as wild as Saturday when the vibe is right and the DJ knows what they're doing. What a change from a few years ago, though—the COVID-era shutdowns took us from barhopping on Clark Street to sipping Malört alone in our apartments in sweatpants. Restaurants and bars got creative with to-go drinks and patio heaters, but nothing will ever beat the buzz of a crowded bar on a hot summer night. But now we're living in a nightlife renaissance. You can feel it everywhere, from the new wave of cocktail bars tucked into historic buildings to the underground raves happening in lofts that may or may not be technically legal. There's an energy in the air again, and it's got nothing to do with the weather. Time Out polled thousands of people in hundreds of the world's best cities on both the quality and affordability of their city's nightlife scene, from clubbing to bars, pubs and nighttime entertainment. After crunching the data, a panel of nightlife experts, including Time Out's city editors and arts-and-culture writers, voted on their faves for the final rankings. Need proof that Chicago is killing it on the bar scene? Look no further than local favorites like Kumiko, where cocktails are treated like tiny, edible poems, or The Green Mill, which still feels cool after all these decades. There's late-night dancing at Smartbar, intimate wine bars in Logan Square and queer joy radiating out of Sidetrack. We've got dive bars, rooftop lounges, jazz joints, and anywhere else you might want to end up at 2am. In this city, 'last call' just means 'see you at the after party.' Best cities for nightlife in the U.S., according to Time Out Las Vegas Chicago New Orleans Miami New York Los Angeles Austin San Diego Orlando Dallas
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Chicago's Kumiko Named World's Best Bar At 2025 Spirited Awards
K umiko, the innovative dining bar serving up a taste of Japan in Chicago's West Loop, was named World's Best Bar at the 19th annual Spirited Awards in New Orleans. Cofounded in 2018 by acclaimed bartender Julia Momosé and local restaurateurs Cara and Noah Sandoval, Kumiko began garnering accolades for its minimalist food and drinks almost immediately, including a 2019 Michelin star for its original chef, Mariya Russell, the first Black woman to be awarded a Michelin star. The 36-year-old Momosé, who was born and raised in Japan, was fascinated by Japanese rituals surrounding eating and drinking from an early age, and was inspired by watching her mother entertain at home. While attending Cornell University, she took jobs in restaurants and bars, eventually settling in Baltimore where she continued her hospitality education, most notably at Rye. From there, she moved to Chicago, where she became 'bar chef' at The Aviary, the groundbreaking cocktail lounge founded by Grant Achatz. After developing the bar menu at GreenRiver, the Chicago restaurant and bar that was a partnership between Danny's Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group and The Dead Rabbit's Jack McGarry, it was time for Momosé to create something of her own. A chance meeting with the Sandovals led the trio to open Kumiko in December 2018. Inspired by Japanese minimalism— kumiko is a delicate style of woodworking that requires no nails or glue—Momosé developed the restaurant's cocktail menu, including a selection of 'spiritless' drinks. (She dislikes the word 'mocktail.') In 2022, Kumiko received the Exceptional Cocktails Award from Michelin. Accepting the evening's final award before a standing ovation at New Orleans' Fillmore theater, Momosé spoke movingly of visting New York City in her twenties. 'I remember trying to find home when I was there—and I found Angel's Share,' she said, recalling the beloved Japanese-inspired East Village speakeasy, which helped her appreciate a sense of community and 'people who were sharing a little bit of themselves through food and drink.' Momosé left the raucous crowd—which earlier saw appearances by Run the Jewels and Cheech and Chong, who handed our awards—with one last piece of advice: 'Try to find the beauty in those quiet moments.' Keeping up with the Japanese influence, the Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar went to Sip & Guzzle, the popular New York outpost of the renowned Tokyo bar created by Shingo Gokan, who was named International Bartender of Year at the Spirited Awards in 2017. Located in the West Village, Sip & Guzzle is renowned for its selection of Japanese beer, highballs and 'crushable' cocktails. New York's Sip & Guzzle won for Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar. Sip & Guzzle San Francisco's Trick Dog was honored as the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar, fulfilling its promise at the 2017 Spirited Awards, where it won for Best U.S. Cocktail menu. Also on the domestic front, Washington D.C.'s Allegory continued its winning ways. Last year's Spirited Award winner for Best U.S. Hotel Bar and Bartender of the Year (for Kapri Johnson), Allegory, located at the Eaton Hotel, won for Best U.S. Bar Team. The U.S. Bartender of the Year remained in the nation's capital with Christine Kim of Service Bar taking home the honor. After a moving speech in which she assured the crowd that 'you will find your way, your voice, your space, your people,' Kim distilled some universal wisdom: 'Don't be a dick.' Allegory in Washington, D.C., was named Best U.S. Bar Team. Allegory Among international honorees, Hong Kong's Bar Leone, last year's Best New International Cocktail Bar, avoided the sophomore jinx and was named Best International Bar. The Bar Leone team could likely offer some advice to Devil's Cut in Madrid, which was honored as the Best New International Cocktail Bar. London's Side Hustle was named Best International Hotel Bar this year and Milan's Moebius Milano won Best International Restaurant Bar. Side Hustle at the NoMad London was named Best International Hotel Bar. Side Hustle Mentorship has long been a vital part of the hospitality industry and the Spirited Awards honors two mentors each year. Iain McPherson, who founded Panda & Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland 12 years ago was named Best International Bar Mentor. Proof of McPherson's mentorship was recognized earlier in the evening when Panda & Sons won for Best International Bar Team. The bar also took home an award for World's Best Cocktail Menu. The Best U.S. Bar Mentor was awarded to Colin Asare-Appiah, last year's Tales Visionary Award winner and a 2016 Spirited Award winner for Best American Brand Ambassador. The author of Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology, Asare-Appiah has spent more than three decades in the industry and has helped train the next generation of bartenders in the United States and throughout Africa as part of the AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival. Hong Kong's Bar Leone won for Best International Bar. Bar Leone This year's Helen Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ian Burrell, who began his career as a London bartender in the 1990s and reinvented himself as a 'global rum ambassador' some 20 years ago. The highly charismatic Burrell has represented many different rum brands over the years—including Equiano, which he cofounded in 2020—and is renowned in the industry for his self-described 'edutainment' presentation style. In accepting his award, the 50-year-old Burrell, reminded the audience that he still has a lot of years left: 'I hope to be the first person to win two lifetime achievement awards.' The most inspiring moment of the ceremony came from Tales Visionary Award-winner Lynnette Marrero, a veteran New York bartender who was named Best Bar Mentor at the 2019 Spirited Awards. In addition to cofounding Speed Rack, an international bartending competition for women, Marrero is the mixologist behind Delola, Jennifer Lopez' line of bottled cocktails. 'The thing that gives me the most joy n my life is the opportunity to serve people,' she said. 'It's time for all of us to be teachers and leaders, to remember that if you're some place, there's always someone who needs to come with you—so grab their hand and walk them along.' Finally, the Spirited Awards always raise a glass to some legendary watering holes. Madrid's Bar Cock was presented with the Timeless International Award. Founded in 1921, Bar Cock may resemble an English club—founder Emilio Saracho and head bartender Perico Chicote traveled from Spain to London to locate authentic furniture—but it has become Madrid institution, catering to local artists, writers, politicians, and of course the city's revelers. And The Bar at Keens Steakhouse in midtown Manhattan was honored with the Timeless U.S. Award. Keens, which dates back to 1885, began its long life as a theater hangout, given its location in New York's Herald Square. In addition to serving traditional English mutton chops, Keens is renowned for its extraordinary clay pipe collection. The 90,000 pipes once belonged to Keens regulars—from Babe Ruth and Teddy Roosevelt to J.P. Morgan and Albert Einstein. Like all great restaurant bars, Keens is worth arriving early for dinner to have a drink under the watchful eye of 'Miss Keens,' the nude portrait hanging over the bar for many decades. In 2019, billionaire Tilman Fertita added Keens to his Landry's hospitality empire, after purchasing the iconic steakhouse for $30 million. See the full list of winners from the 2025 Spirited Awards. Tales Of The Cocktail Spirited Awards 2025 INTERNATIONAL Devil's Cut in Madrid was named Best New International Cocktail Bar. Devil's Cut International Bartender of the Year: Lorenzo Antinori (Bar Leone, Hong Kong) Best International Bar Mentor: Iain McPherson Best International Brand Ambassador: Dré Masso (Altos Tequila and Nusa Caña Rum) Best International Bar Team: Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland) Best New International Cocktail Bar: Devil's Cut (Madrid, Spain) Best International Hotel Bar: Side Hustle (The NoMad Hotel London, London, UK) Best International Restaurant Bar: Moebius Milano (Milan, Italy) Best International Cocktail Bar: Bar Leone (Hong Kong, China) UNITED STATES Christine Kim of Service Bar in Washington, D.C. was named U.S. Bartender of the Year. REY LOPEZ U.S. Bartender of the Year: Christine Kim (Service Bar, Washington, D.C.) Best U.S. Bar Mentor: Colin Asare-Appiah Best U.S. Brand Ambassador: Natasha Sofia (Mijenta Tequila) Best U.S. Bar Team: Allegory at the Eaton Hotel (Washington, D.C.) Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar: Sip & Guzzle (New York, NY) Best U.S. Hotel Bar: Little Rituals (The Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott, Phoenix, AZ) Best U.S. Restaurant Bar: Kumiko (Chicago, IL) Best U.S. Cocktail Bar: Trick Dog (San Francisco, CA) WRITING & MEDIA Ten Speed Press . Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication: Full Pour Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series: Radio Imbibe Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing: "In War-Torn Ukraine, Nightlife Offers a Fleeting Escape" by Adam Robb, for Wine Enthusiast Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book: The Bartender's Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar by Jim Meehan and Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits: The Cocktail Parlor: How Women Brought the Cocktail Home by Nicola Nice GLOBAL The Bar at Keens Steakhouse in New York was honored with the Timeless U.S. Award. Keens Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award: Ian Burrell Timeless International Award: Bar Cock (Madrid, Spain) Timeless U.S. Award: Keens Steakhouse (New York, NY) Tales Visionary Award: Lynette Marrero Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient: Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum World's Best Cocktail Menu: Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland) World's Best Spirits Selection: Eleven Madison Park (New York, NY) World's Best Bar: Kumiko (Chicago, IL) More from Forbes Forbes World's Best Bars: The Nominees For The 2025 Spirited Awards By Michael Solomon Forbes Colombia's Alquímico Named World's Best Bar At The 2024 Spirited Awards By Michael Solomon
Japan Times
17-07-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Lilimi settles into a new life
Lily was first featured in this column in October 2023, but continued to languish in a shelter with no prospects for a home for more than a year. Thankfully, help was on the way — in the form of Masato and Kumiko Fukuhara. Residents of Tokyo, the Fukuharas had previously put their hands up to care for an ARK cat that didn't have long in this world. They adopted him and spent the last month of his life together, with the ailing cat loved and at peace. The couple didn't hesitate when they were told about Lily, whose eyes had already started to deteriorate. They brought her home in January and Lily, now known as Lilimi, settled in immediately. Upon arrival, Lilimi claimed her spot smack in the middle of the couple's futon. 'We realized we would soon be relegated to the far corners!' says Kumiko. Lilimi was very content. She would start purring as soon as the couple came near. 'She let us know when she wanted to be held or stroked, which was often, and we couldn't have been more delighted.' The Fukuharas, residents of Tokyo, have experience in caring for ailing and elderly cats, and make sure to offer a comfortable environment as well as plenty of attention and food. | Masato and Kumiko Fukuhara The Fukuharas are not just a cat-loving couple but also well-versed in caring for elderly and ailing felines. 'We realized that our previous cats had equipped us to look after cats in their twilight years,' says Kumiko. 'We feel strongly that we can provide a safe, warm environment, loads of love and affection and delicious food.' Most of all, the two of them make sure Lilimi knows that they'll always be there for her. If you are interested in adopting, email ARK at Tokyoark@ or call 050-1557-2763 (English or Japanese) Monday to Saturday (bilingual) for more information. Animal Refuge Kansai (with offices in Kansai and Tokyo) is an NPO founded by U.K. native Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Prospective owners are required to undergo a screening process. Web:
