Dinkytown bars grown stale? Go East, young man (or woman).

 moto-i, located on the corner of Lyndale and Lake Street in uptown, uniquely offers one of the most authentic Japanese drinking experiences, well, anywhere.

“Outside of Japan, we are the only sake brew pub in the world,” said owner Glenn Mirville.

Sake (pronounced sah-kay) is a traditional Japanese rice alcohol that’s fermented in a special way. At moto-i, the process of making the delicious beverage is something that restaurant-goers can steal an inside peek at. The brewing area, cased in glass, is visible for all to see.

The sake itself is served chilled and should be sipped, not shot. There’s plenty of variety, and both the flavors and the alcohol content are strong. Yet sake is relatively easy to drink, so take it easy or end up on the floor.

To compliment your spicy drink, moto-i provides a diverse, moderately priced menu, with everything from traditional Japanese steamed buns to sweet potato fries.

The ambience of the bar is cool and intimate, so is the killer rooftop patio. While the sleek atmosphere and sexy lighting ring a bit ritzy, the prices do not, so relish in the delusion that you’re somebody and drink on.