San Diego Restaurants Roll Out Anime-Themed Bites for Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con is just weeks away, and the spirit of fandom is spilling out beyond the convention center. Local restaurants are joining the celebration with themed menus, and one spot is going all-in for anime fans. Encinitas' Temaki Bar is serving up an exclusive lineup of handrolls and cutrolls inspired by iconic anime characters throughout July.

The undisputed headliner? A "The One Piece" roll, crafted with blue crab, asparagus, cucumber, topped with beef tataki, uni butter, lemon, and chive. This is a high-seas culinary adventure for your taste buds, fit for the Grand Line. Other rolls include the "Battle Beast" (shrimp tempura, albacore) and the intriguing "Super What?" (bluefin, tempura tomato).

For those craving heroics in a glass, San Diego's Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine is assembling a league of superhero-inspired cocktails. Available July 23-26, the menu features the Peter Parker (white rum, blue Curaçao) for a friendly neighborhood sip, the brooding Bruce Wayne (vodka, activated charcoal) for a darker vibe, and the classic Steve Rogers (cognac, Cherry Heering).