"Onori Hand Roll" Bar at Temecula, California

2025, May 22 - May 28

Located in Temecula, California Onori hand roll bar opened in mid 2025, replacing a Pieology that stood before. The restaurant serves quick hand roll sushi and right in front of its main seating and bar area. Separate tables are available too, surrounded by dim ambient lighting and mellow decorations. Admittedly, the restaurant has an awkward corner positioning with a strip of seating, a hallway, and the kitchen all integrated in the same space upon entry. However, a simple yet clever design element was added to make up for this. Rails along the hallway and between the bar allows for perfect social distancing between customers in line and those who are already enjoying their meal. The divider physically separates customers but still has a welcoming feeling as it lets an open environment. The restaurant's menu is also placed largely on the wall opposite to the bar, to prevent uncomfortable positioning between those who already sat down. For easier access to the bathrooms, the railing stops for a wide opening but this unlocks a new issue of forming a crowd of customers waiting for to-go. So, vertical wooden boards were placed as both a decoration and the continuation of partitioning the restaurant. By doing so, both bar customers and table customers have easy access to the restrooms but do not sacrifice social distancing within the space.

The bar features a light wooden counter with fixed stools matched with the same material. A theme of the restaurant appears fairly dim with black painted doors and ceiling. But this is complemented by the light furniture and ambient light that allows customers to enjoy their meal with ease. For better visibility, small lights are integrated into a wooden panel on the ceiling that is symmetrical to the bar itself. To block any excess brightness, perfectly sized curtains are installed at the edge of the panel. This also allows the light to focus on the tables as well. To enhance both the customer and employee’s experience, subtle light strips along a decorative shelf doesn’t emit too much brightness but fills in an empty space above the kitchen counters. Toward the back half of the restaurant features a den like space, allowing for small parties to enjoy their privacy. Similarly, to avoid a feeling of emptiness, a centerpiece light fixture is carved into the wall adjacent to the picture windows. It’s a circular ambient lighting element with the “Onori” logo in the center and light strips around the circumference. This gives the customer a good first impression of the space because it adds onto just simple lights on the ceiling. Two lamps that appear traditional are placed symmetrical to the circle and serve as compliment to the light wooden theme.

Furniture is left reasonably simple and is selected with a familiar color scheme. The tables are intentionally spaced out because it gives a sense of welcoming to those who prefer separate seating. This also gives a sense that all types of customers, like solo guests, small parties, and families are accepted because it provides an option and not only limited to the main bar. The interior can be pretty compact on busy days. So for extra seating, the outdoor space can be utilized to evoke the same feeling as the interior. Continuing a dim theme, dark curtains are set by the border of the terrace. This outdoor experience gives an inclusive experience because it allows for a real open world environment but still has the same feeling as indoors.

This interior renovation by KTIK Design serves as an example of how simple tweaks to the floorplan can significantly improve user experience. Strategic social distancing, symmetry, and a color scheme was used to create a coolish and inviting environment. It serves as a meaning that good design does not always need to be ultra complex but instead smart modifications that evokes a casual but welcoming environment.