Sushi Meets Surf, Clique Hospitality ‘Rolls’ Out Newest Concept with Sashimi, Nigiri, Classic Handrolls, and Eclectic Sake Program

Clique Hospitality’s latest restaurant concept, Temaki Bar: Handroll, Sushi, Sake, celebrates traditional sushi-making with Chef JoJo Ruiz, local veteran chef and San Diego native at the helm. Ruiz began his career as a sushi chef and is heading back to those roots, with the added bonus of his seafood sourcing and sustainability practices that earned him recognition with the James Beard Foundation as a Smart Catch Leader.

Literally translating to “hand roll,” Temaki Bar celebrates the tradition that all perfect hand rolls should be eaten within seconds of when the chef passes them across the counter — while the rice is still warm and the fish, fresh and chilled. In keeping with tradition, Temaki Bar’s hand rolls are prepared counter-side and made-to-order for guests, highlighting the freshest seafood featuring blue crab, yellowtail, salmon, and more. Guests can enjoy the indoor-outdoor space and trendy neighborhood that surrounds it just steps from the beach in the heart of downtown Encinitas on Hwy 101 all while savoring the restaurant’s signature Tuna Roll and irresistible spicy sauce alongside a glass of sake or Japanese beer. Other signature items include Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp (gochujang mayo and scallions), a Pop, Rock & Drop It handroll (pop rocks, bang bang shrimp and mango) and Hand Roll Sets (offered in quantities of three, four, five or six delicious varieties). Temaki also has some signature cut rolls like Lobsta Queen (spicy lobster, caviar and crispy onion), The Kook…aka Cali (Cali crab, avocado and cucumber) and West Coast Philly featuring salmon with cult favorite everything bagel seasoning and cashew cream cheese.

The vision for Temaki Bar comes to life through the lens of Vincent Celano’s CELANO Studios and Solana Beach-based architect Andrew Crocker of T7 Architecture. An original art installation featuring locally-loved Rob Machado Surfboards designed in collaboration with Todd DiCiurcio, a world-renowned American artist, will span the entire eatery, where each wall will be transformed into a hand-painted mural inspired by the surfboard triptych. Encinitas-based potter, Michael Totah of The Wheel, is providing custom stoneware to complement the cutting-edge culinary presentations guests can expect while dining at Temaki Bar.