The Sushi Bar Where the Menu Reads Like a Setlist – Encore Sushi Opens in Solana Beach
If you’ve spent any time in the Cedros Design District, you know there’s always been a gap between the galleries and Belly Up. Chef James La just filled it. Encore Sushi is now open at the entrance to Cedros – 42 seats, a sushi bar built for watching, and a menu that runs from Opening Act to The Encore and means every word.
25 Years and Every Piece Still Cut the Moment You Order
La brings 25 years of craft to the counter, and he runs it differently than most. He reads each day’s catch and adjusts to it, every service.
The weight of the rice, the thickness of the cut, a single drop of sauce – all of it matters, and all of it happens in front of you. “Sushi is a live performance,” La says. “The counter is our stage, and every piece is cut the moment it’s ordered.”
The Setlist: Ten Signature Rolls That Earn Their Names
The rolls are organized under The Setlist, and the names aren’t a gimmick – they hold up. The Crowd Surfer is hamachi, fresh salmon, krab, jalapeño, and lemon.
The Ring of Fire brings bluefin tuna, shrimp tempura, and torched jalapeños under chili oil and sweet soy glaze. The Encore ($28) – seared Japanese A5 wagyu, real crab legs, shrimp tempura, avocado, nikiri sauce, real wasabi and Maldon sea salt – is the one you stay for. The menu sign-off says it best: “The Encore is where it gets good.”
Chu-Toro, Sea Urchin, and A5 Wagyu at the Bar
The sushi bar is where the menu opens up. B.F.T. Chu-Toro runs $18 for two pieces of nigiri. Sea urchin is $22. A5 Japan Wagyu nigiri is $25. Hokkaido scallop, New Zealand king salmon, and bluefin tuna round out the list – all of it worth ordering before the night is over.
Warm Wood, Glowing Booths, and a Stage for Impromptu Sets
The room is 1,700 square feet of warm wood and intimate lighting, with a small stage where artists may drop in. Encore also plans to show work by Cedros Design District artists, so the space will evolve alongside the neighborhood it’s in.
Partner Chris West puts it this way: “Cedros is where North County goes to find something original. Encore is the first stop where a night on Cedros begins. Whether guests are headed to the beach or a show down the street, we hope they’ll stay for the encore.”
$5 Happy Hour Before the Concert or the Coast
Tuesday through Sunday, 3 PM to 5:30 PM, dine-in happy hour is $5. It’s a strong reason to get to Cedros early – and a stronger one when Belly Up is steps away.
See you there!
The grand opening celebration features a Solana Beach Chamber ribbon-cutting at 4 PM, chef’s samples, and drinks through the night. Worth being early for.
📆 Open now | Grand opening: Friday, October 23, noon – 10 PM
📍 112 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach
🎟️ Book a table here
ℹ️ Visit the website here to learn more
See you there, San Diego!
