December 21, 2019
Endless Sunset Meets Endless Sushi
Located on the 69th floor in the north-west corner of the InterContinental offers guests traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern California twist over a panoramic view of the Hollywood Hills. Through the restaurant’s noren, or entry curtain, there is a stitched yellow Sora logo that is followed by a Japanese palette consisting of indigo hues and glazed tiles. Guests immediately sense an elevated sushi dining experience is about to be enjoyed.
The central sushi counter offers a one-on-one experience with the chef and the opportunity for an over-the-counter ‘Omakase’ meal, translating as “respectfully letting another choose for you”; here the chef selects the dishes and encourages guests to learn to trust the chef. For those who aren’t as daring, a refined menu of fresh-cut sushi and traditional hot dishes are also available to order.
Meals can be enjoyed over a beautiful edge wood slab countertop that recalls a tradition of Japanese craft and woodworking. Just inches above lives a moving conveyor belt carrying minimalist sushi bites that guests can pick right off of and eat. This is a local favorite with all you can eat lunch and dinner specials, and is especially great for a quick and efficient power lunch setting.
Just behind the dining experience and towards the back of the restaurant of the room features a lit display of Saki, Soju and Aged Japanese Whiskeys. For a more private experience there are a series of semi-private dining booths for groups of two to four with a backdrop of floor to ceiling windows facing the north hills. The booths are lined in padded upholstery for comfort and provide a space quiet enough for an intimate discussion.
Whether you’re short on time, looking for all you can eat sushi specials or interested in having sushi with a view, Sora is a local favorite and worth the trip up to the 69th floor.