La Jolla Scores Traditional Sushi Bar With Japanese Tapas

Porkyland has relocated its 35-year-old La Jolla location to Carmel Valley and will be replaced with a new sushi restaurant. In February, the Mexican grill moved out of its longtime home in the Torrey Pines Road complex that also includes Rimel’s Rotisserie and Marketplace Grill; joining the mix this summer is Mitsu.

Named for its head sushi chef Mitsu Aihara, a fixture behind the bar of Pacific Beach’s revered Sushi Ota for the past 16 years, the restaurant is a fresh endeavor for Julian Hakim and Aram Baloyan who own The Taco Stand eateries, including a nearby outpost in downtown La Jolla. Created in partnership with Edo Kobayashi, who runs several Japanese restaurants in Mexico City, Mitsu is aiming to be the authentic sushi spot that’s been missing from the neighborhood’s dining scene.

Mitsu’s menu will focus on traditional nigiri sushi along with Japanese small plates, beer and sake. Construction is expected to be completed this summer, with the remodeled space reopening in July. Its interior will be dominated by a sushi bar with counter seats, with more seating available at outdoor patio tables.