A birthday for the Japanese Emperor

I’m not sure what I was expecting and I’m not certain if he knew, but the Japanese Emperor had many hundreds of Ottawans turn out for his birthday celebration at the Chateau Laurier the other week.

It was a robust crowd that barely fit into the ballroom but spirits were undiminished as the wine flowed.

A series of speakers took to the stage led by Ambassador Yamanouchi and followed by political figures like Speaker of the House of Commons Greg Fergus.

Entertainment came in the form of a local chamber quartet and a Japanese Taiko drumming duo from Belgium and I was reminded once again of the core strength it must take to manage these powerful instruments.

Madly delicious cocktails featuring impressive Japanese whiskies and one of my favourite gins, Roku, were assembled by the two mixologists on hand. I only wish I’d noted the recipes because the Sakura cocktail was so fabulous it demands to be made at home.

A very nice surprise was to see an old acquaintance from Vancouver, saké importer Patrick Ellis. 

He is not only the president of one of Canada’s most important sake import companies Blue Note Sake, he’s also a Saké Samurai, an honorific bestowed on those whose work has contributed greatly to the promotion of saké around the world. 

He was on hand along with the export manager and president of Dassai saké. Dassai is arguably one of Japan’s most respected saké producers and they have a reputation for superior quality. 

On this night they were pouring a magnificently rare saké, Dassai 23. This meant that 77 percent of the rice grain had been polished away leaving only 23 percent from which to brew saké. It was delicately perfumed and elegant with a crystalline mouthfeel and I, foolishly in hindsight, decided to act the gentleman and not ask for seconds. 

The evening proved a social and gastronomic pleasure and with seafood having been flown in directly from Japan for the occasion,  sushi fans in Ottawa have seldom had it so good. 

It was an honour to have been invited and readers can expect another deep dive into the world of saké in the months ahead.