NEW YORK—You’ve heard the talk, now try it for yourself! Be one of the first to sample from Kyotofu’s original sake list and trend-setting menu at the Japanese dessert bar’s monthly Dessert & Sake Pairings that premiered Monday, 4 December 2006 from 6:30PM to 9:30PM at 705 Ninth Avenue between 48th and 49th Streets. These flavorful events offer guests a uniquely varied menu of tantalizing, homemade treatsalongside a sophisticated selection of imported, aged, sparkling, hot and cold sake. Enjoy chef Ritsuko Yamaguchi’s (Daniel, Ringo, Cru) artfully crafted plates as renowned saké sommelier Chris Johnson walks you through the ins-and-outs of high quality sake. As the former creator of sake lists for such establishments as Bond St and Bao 111 and the only judge invited back for five consecutive years to Hawaii’s Annual U.S. National Sake Appraisal, Chris is New York’s seasoned sake pro. To schedule a tasting or to interview partners Nicole Bermensolo, or Michael Berl, interested media please contact Workhouse Publicity, Lauren Gould directly by telephone 212. 645. 8006 or via email lauren@workhousepr.com.

Located in New York’s own Hell’s Kitchen, Kyotofu features Japanese sweets and treats and incorporate the chic style, bold flavors and rich culture of Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. Kyotofu differentiates itself by offering a range of new product experiences that fuse  Japanese atmospheric and flavor elements geared specifically for the discerning palate.  Designed by Japanese architect, Hiro Tsuruta (Jewel Bako, Chikalicious, Momofuku), who blends traditional Japanese design with a mod-organic twist, Kyotofu reflects the sleek and high-energy dynamic prevalent in modern Japan.  

SAMPLE TASTING MENU (4 DECEMBER 2006)
Available for $50 per person
6:30PM-7:00PM: Original shochu cocktails and small appetizers

Course 1:  Savory plate - mini onigiri, savory tofu, tofu chicken tsukune, oshinko
Setsugetsu Bijin (Junmai Ginjo)

Course 2:  Black sesame sweet tofu
Kissui Miyanoyuki (Junmai)

Course 3:  Chestnut mochi chocolate cake
Crazy Milk (Nigori Junmai)  

Course 4:  Miso tofu cheesecake
Moon Rabbit (Sparkling Junmai)

Course 5:  Tahitian vanilla parfait
Koten (Junmai Aged Sake)

Course 6:  Original petits fours (anko truffles, mini miso gateau chocolate, etc.)
No specific pairing

For more information on upcoming events or to make a reservation please call 212.974.6012.  

KYOTOFU
Dessert gets a style makeover as head chef Ritsuko Yamaguchi skillfully combines homemade ingredients and authentic Japanese flavors to create Kyotofu signature items such as Warm Chestnut Mochi Chocolate Cake, Tahitian Vanilla and Walnut Parfait, Green Tea Chocolate Dipped Okara (soybean) Cookies, Ginger Infused Sticky Rice Pudding, and Sansho Pepper Tofu Cheesecake. Seasonal Japanese ingredients such as mochi, tofu, anko, black sesame, and green tea are the focus, while tofu is made fresh daily.  Other dishes include soymilk soft ice cream, sweet tofu and an assortment of imported and fresh house-baked Japanese cookies and candies in addition to unique hot and iced drinks.  Also available is more traditional fare such as homemade truffles, mousses, parfaits and a variety of smoothies and coffee mixers.

Preparing the palate for new levels of refinement, Kyotofu’s extensive specialty drink menu includes imported sparkling and aged Sake, Melon and Green Apple Lychee Saketinis (Flavored dessert liqueurs mixed with sake), 25 variations of champagne, sparkling, dessert, red and white wines, as well as ten kinds of Shochu (a Japanese distilled liquor made from flavors such as rice, wheat, smooth potato, white sesame, wasabi and sugar cane).  To heighten the experience, each of the desserts has been rewarded a suggested drink pairing to match its distinct flavor. Keep an eye out for Kyotofu’s upcoming Sake Nights, prix fixe sake and dessert pairing events set to commence next month.

Kyotofu will be open Sunday-Wednesday from 5:00PM-12:00AM and Thursday-Saturday from 5:00PM-1:30AM with plans to expand to morning hours for takeout. The restaurant will soon offer catering as well as venue rentals for private and corporate events. Additionally, branded items such as mugs, t-shirts, and sake and tea sets will be available both in-store and on the web within the next month. To explore our retail products or more information please call 212.974.6012 or visit www.kyotofu-nyc.com

Location:                               705 Ninth Avenue (between 48th and 49th Streets)
                                                New York, NY
Size:                                       800 square feet