SORA Japanese Sky Cuisine is looking to take your taste buds on a new gastronomic journey, as it repositions itself to be the restaurant of choice for local foodies hoping to satisfy their Japanese cravings.

Re-emerging from the ‘ashes’, the restaurant re-opened its doors in January following a fire that destroyed its building in late 2022. On Thursday night, the eatery held its official launch as it seeks to once again draw people together through its mouth-watering cuisine, great entertainment and even better vibes.

Settled comfortably in its new home at 26 Barbican Road in the Progressive Shopping Centre, SORA opened its doors to a host of specially invited guests to not only gobble on the delectable delights on its menu, but to soak up the breathtaking sky view its new space had to offer. OBSERVER ONLINE arrived at the venue just before sunset and was taken aback by the city view at the restaurant’s new sky lounge.

Speaking with OBSERVER ONLINE about the fresh additions to Kingston’s favourite Japanese eatery, co-owner, Melissa Warner said a change of scenery was exactly what the SORA brand needed and expects that the new space should help cement the restaurant as the go-to spot for Japanese treats.

“When we were at the previous location on Phoenix Avenue, it wasn’t as ‘food-centric’ of a plaza as we would have liked and so when we heard about this space, we thought this plaza, with lots of food options, we thought it was closer and a more happening spot for us. We came and everything was good to go and then we had the incident of the fire in the kitchen and it just burnt the entire building,” she shared.

“Myself and a few friends then came together, projected some budgets because we wanted to get the restaurant up and running. We added the element of the Urban Lounge and we kinda just gave it our all. We opened the lounge first, so people could come and dine, have cocktails and enjoy the view. That was really one of the opportunities that we capitalised on having moved to this location.”

Not buying into the notion that Japanese cuisine in Jamaica is a hard sell, Warner said she believes variety is key, and says Jamaicans are already showing the restaurant loads of love.

“I don’t think this is a tough sell at all. I think Jamaica is ready to experience different things and different cultures. I mean, if you go anywhere else in the world, you will have different cuisines so I think Jamaica is ready for that because not everybody can fly out on a plane to experience these different food options and people want that,” she said.

“Sometimes you feel fi supmn nice, and you crave something outside of the traditional options, this is the place for you. SORA will touch up your taste buds and give you an international experience. And for the people who don’t like raw, we have cooked sushi, salmon, teriyaki, pork dishes, shrimp dishes, lobster when it’s in season. So we have something for every palate,” she added.