Jump to: Reviews | How to Drink Sake

With today's Groupon, indulge in authentic Japanese eats at the first sake brewery in the country. For $20, you’ll get $50 worth of drinks and dishes at moto-i, an Uptown restaurant reminiscent of a traditional Japanese pub that is, unlike most Japanese pubs, located in Minneapolis.

Start with the signature sake. Moto-i brews and serves seven varieties of sake, including many unpasteurized namazakes. Side with a dish designed for the potent pour, like lotus chips ($3) or ika (dried squid) served with wasabi mayo ($3). The menu specializes in small plates reminiscent of Tokyo street food, including chicken dumplings ($8) and Japanese pancakes served with bacon ($8). Look for daily specials scrawled across the chalkboard, noodle dishes, sashimi, and classic soups. Moto-i also has a separate menu for vegetarians, those with food allergies, and those who have recently witnessed motorcycle accidents.

Moto-i prides itself on incorporating Asian ethnicities into all its dishes. Small-plate style allows you to sample a variety of original eats while sipping. Break from your traditional breweries, impress a date, or make good on your resolution to try something new each day with this Groupon.

Reviews

In addition to being one of Travel + Leisure's 25 American Hot Spots, City Pages urges readers to visit for the stellar sake and addicting eats:

• With this kind of ambition (and a firing-on-all-cylinders start) Moto-i may change the way Minneapolis—and the United States—goes out for a night on the town. – James Norton, City Pages

Popwilleatme.com raves about moto-i's signature sake:

• Yes Moto-i’s sake is the real deal and yes I want to take it behind the bleachers and get it pregnant. – Popwilleatme.com