Sponsored Edition: Cup the Ante

Your palate is impeccable and you’re always ready to indulge.

You go all gooey over chocolate and caramels, really come out of your shell when someone serves up nuts, while floral and herb notes just leave you feeling rosy.

But recently, you’ve been pouring over all of your usual foodie haunts, searching for one spot that will serve up all of your flavorite tastes.

Don’t worry. The Joy of Sake is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

One of the world’s most exclusive tasting events offers samples of more than 300 varieties of the rice alcohol, including several not available in the U.S. Each is first judged by an international panel of experts, so you can be sure the breweries are sending in only the very best.

Explore your way through sips boasting a range of about 400 subtle flavors; from banana and melon, to anise, flowers, herbs, and even chestnuts. Chances are you’ll soon be chatting with other sake samplers, especially when you’re polishing off bites from 15 restaurants such as Morimoto Waikiki’s seared scallop in an aromatic fumet broth or Hoku’s braised beef medallion on truffle potato and shichimi-dusted lotus chip.

Volunteers (and sake lovers) will help you find your favorites with sampling suggestions all along the way.

Proving when you go with the grains, you’re guaranteed more than a rice time.

The Joy of Sake is Friday, Sept. 9, 7 – 9:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, 2255 Kalakaua Ave. Tickets are $80 presale or $90 at the door. Click here to purchase or for more information on the Joy of Sake’s website.

Present this Lei Chic article at the door for a free sake cup.