Artisan Bento (Permanently Closed)
2505 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA
Originally known as Artisan Bento, a concept-driven, contemporary Japanese restaurant built around bento box packaging, opened in early 2015 with healthy, quick-service menu of Japanese bento boxes and bowls. Owner Shihomi Borillo, who runs Azuki Sushi on 5th Avenue, created a lean, spiffy design for the place that is intriguing, as are some of the dishes that may be added to your custom bento.
The protein is as healthy as you want it to be, with sashimi, salmon, or tofu for those who don't dig pork or chicken, and they offer side salads incorporating greens or unique veggies such as lotus root.
The locale changed in Spring 2017 to Hachi Ramen.