Photo: Collected
Temaki Bar, a new handroll, sushi, and sake joint in Encinitas, is making a splash with its different approach to Japanese food, combining sushi and surf cultures. Created by Clique Hospitality, the group behind Lionfish Coastal Cuisine and Serea at Hotel del Coronado, the restaurant has “a fun Encinitas, surfer vibe,” said Temaki’s executive chef JoJo Ruiz, a partner in Clique.
The 38-seat eatery, whose Japanese name translates to “handroll,” follows the tradition of eating handrolls within seconds (8, to be exact) of being served on the sushi counter — keeping the rice at a warm temperature and the fish still chilled. Menu standouts include handrolls made with blue crab, yellowtail, and salmon, Dre’s Pop N’ Rock handroll made with pop rocks, and Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp with gochujang mayo and scallions.
Ruiz, who also sits on the board of the James Beard
Foundation, a nonprofit organization that encourages sustainable fishing
practices, said he teamed up with local seafood purveyors like PureFish to
serve high-quality sustainable fish at Temaki.
For the chef, this means looking for labels from similar
nonprofits like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and certifications from
Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).
“We try using all sustainable seafood,” Chef Ruiz said. “I
have to be able to track everything back to its source.”
The sushi bar also supports local artists and creatives
including Rob Machado Surfboards. Machado designed an art installation for the
space along with Todd DiCiurcio, a well-known American artist.
A high-concept sushi bar can be intimidating, but Temaki
provides a comfortable and welcoming vibe with its laid-back ambiance and
affordable prices.
The restaurant is at 575 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas.
Source:
Online/GFMM
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