Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar Mixes High-Style Design with Modern Japanese Cuisine

Chef Andy Halvorsen offers a creative modern Japanese menu at Carlsbad’s newest dining hot spot.

Making a sexy splash in Carlsbad, Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar is high-style design meets modern Japanese cuisine. Step into an airy “aquarium” of sorts, dreamt up by design firm Bells & Whistles. Dangling glass lights resemble ocean bubbles, while light fixtures look and feel like sea urchins—all warmed by wood-topped seating and floors. Chef Andy Halvorsen oversees a menu of yakitori-skewered meats, seafood and veggies that are charcoal-fired on a custom Japanese robata grill, plus a fun selection of sushi that includes a lobster-tail roll and soft-shell-crab roll with avocado and baked in a puff pastry. As a starter, the tofu-seaweed fritters are surprisingly packed with flavor, thanks to splashes of lime-mayo and Sriracha. Wash it all down with a well-curated selection of Japanese whisky, craft beer or custom cocktail designed by mixology masters Queen Conner Ward. 2958 Madison St., Carlsbad. 760.434.4959. blueoceanrobatasushi.com