Suck on Sake

Tradition says it’s not cool to pour your own sake. Get a bartender to do it for you. The imported rice wine is always in stock at Japanese restaurants to complement your California roll. The sake specials at Nara (1617 Main, 816-221-6272) include half-price bottles on Tuesday nights and some bottles as cheap as $5 during happy hour (from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. to close Monday through Saturday). For a refreshing buzz inducer, bartender Liz Albritton recommends a higher-end variety called Divine Droplets. The fruity flavor is spiked with 15.6 percent alcohol, and the beverage comes chilled. Albritton tells the Pitch that, contrary to what a lot of folks think, “good sake is usually not served warm.” Americans are used to hot sake, she says, because the cheap stuff that’s been served to Americans for decades tastes better warm. Nara
First Tuesday of every month, 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., 2007