Eating temaki sushi rolls is an enjoyable and interactive experience, as they are meant to be consumed with your hands instead of chopsticks. These delicious “hand rolls” feature roasted nori wrapped around rice and a variety of flavorful fillings. SORA Temaki Bar recently opened at the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax.
The owner, Vincent Benoliel, is a powerhouse running two highly successful establishments within the Market: Pasta Corner and Michelina, a French bakery. He has made bold moves by leasing a two-story building there and launching SAVTA, which specializes in wood-fired pizza and pasta, and SORA Temaki Bar.
The interior of SORA Temaki Bar shines with abundant natural light, and the warm ambiance created by the wood and stone design elements invites you to unwind amidst the bustle of the market. If the weather is nice, seize the opportunity to enjoy the outdoor patio; however, for a true temaki experience, you’ll appreciate sitting at the bar.
Benoliel sources much of its fish from Japan, but the tuna comes from Spain, where albacore and bluefin tuna are highly regarded. I was delighted when the chef mentioned that they use Santa Barbara uni, which Michelin chefs prize for its sweet, buttery, and creamy flavor. Even the beef temaki is made from luxurious Japanese A5 wagyu, and the spicy tuna from bluefin.
The extensive cocktail menu features classic favorites alongside contemporary, trendy options. It begins with cocktails like the Classic Martini, French 75, and Manhattan, then moves on to Long Island Iced Tea and Mojito, and into today’s popular drinks such as Paloma, Negroni, and Espresso Martini. We found the Moscow Mule tasty and refreshing, while the Lychee Martini was pleasantly not overly sweet.
Each temaki roll is made to order and served one at a time. This contemporary approach features the temaki presented on a stylish hand roll stand, handed to you for the optimal experience. This ensures that the nori remains crisp and the rice stays warm. They use a higher grade of nori, thicker and crispier than standard nori, enhancing the overall quality.
The appetizers were tasty and well-prepared. The Albacore Crispy Onions and Ponzu appetizer ($14) nicely complements the sweet, velvety tuna. Adding eel sauce to the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice ($16) effectively balances the jalapeño bite. It was a fantastic start.
Sitting at the bar, we could converse with the chef and enjoy each piece immediately after it was prepared. The aroma of the nori greets you, the crispness adds unexpected texture, and the fish is fresh and high-quality. My two favorites were the Ikura (salmon roe) and the Uni.
Since SAVTA and SORA Temaki Bar are in the same building, Benoliel can share the kitchen between the two restaurants. While you can expect mochi ice cream on SORA Temaki Bar’s menu, you might be pleasantly surprised to find passion fruit panna cotta and fior di latte gelato. My eyebrows raised when I saw a Saint-Émilion Bordeaux on the beverage list.
If you want to try their cocktails, take advantage of Happy Hour, during which oysters are priced at $2.50 each. You can pair them with buy-one-get-one-free martinis and margaritas, which perfectly complement the briny, salty flavor of the oysters.
While I have enjoyed visiting the Farmers Market numerous times, I found it tedious to find seating and sometimes had to share the space with strangers. SORA Temaki Bar offers a peaceful escape from the busy marketplace, allowing you to enjoy good conversation with a delightful temaki experience.
The restaurant is conveniently located on the southwest edge of the market, right next to Du-pars. SAVTA is next door, and around the corner, a stairway leads up to SORA Temaki Bar.
SORA Temaki Bar
Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd St, LA
sorarestaurant.com