By Trina Enriquez, Sunset copy editor

Ever since Lisa Taggart wrote about the chibi taiyaki (small, golden, fish-shaped cakes made to order with fillings such as Nutella, chocolate, vanilla, or red bean, plus a catch of the week) at Sweet Breams in San Mateo, California, for the March ’09 Northern California issue of the magazine, I’ve sort of taken to haunting the place. And joined its Facebook fan page. And initiated as many friends as possible into the cult of Tiny and Tasty.

While I wait for my school of 12 fish, I look over works by resident artists Cat Oshiro, Andrew Uy, and Simon Tran, and took to coveting Uy’s Miso Panda print until word came that it was sold out—argh! But this Saturday, April 18, Sweet Breams is hosting its first group art show, Meet Me Under the Cherry Blossoms, featuring new works by the 3 artists and 11 of their friends. Spanning genres from “psychedelic acrylics” to “urban lifestyle,” their newest digital illustrations, drawings, and paintings will debut at this exhibition, which takes its name from the beauty of sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms. (To extend the festivities, check out the Sunset story on SF's J-town and head to San Francisco.)

Be sure to stop by the shop between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, meet and chat with some of the artists, and order a school (or three) of taiyaki while you’re at it. (At $5.50 a school, so worth it, seriously—and don't forget about Sweet Breams' secret menu.) A digital illustration from CatmAndru! (aka Andrew Uy) will be raffled off during the reception. If you can’t make it, the artists' works will be on display in-store through May 27.

Click on any of the artists’ names below for a sneak preview and more info.

Cat Oshiro
Simon Tran
Andrew Uy
Martin Hsu
Liz Lorini
Gem Mateo
Jeramie Tolentino
Rob Beckstrom

Chibi taiyaki photo courtesy of I Heart Sweet Breams