Sushi Roku's chefs prepare innovative small dishes out of succulent, sliced hunks of raw fish. The scallop dynamite is tender and sweet--one of the best in town--and the rich black cod is a perfect counterbalance to the more delicate sashimi dishes. Try any sashimi appetizer, such as salmon or bonito, with tangy garlic ponzu sauce and jalapeno tempura. There are also daily sushi specials that usually include rarer and more expensive Japanese imports such as ishi-tai (black tail snapper), sayori (half beak) and kohada (gizzard shad).
The Scene The beautiful decor rivals the beautiful people who throng here--so much so that the beautiful sushi is almost an afterthought. Hollywood hopefuls and their industry counterparts make deals and discuss the latest buzz among classical Japanese wood, bamboo and stone decor.
The Food The sushi chefs prepare innovative smaller dishes out of succulent, sliced hunks of raw fish. The scallop dynamite is tender and sweet--one of the best in town--and the rich black cod is a perfect counterbalance to the more delicate sashimi dishes. Try any sashimi appetizer, such as salmon or bonito, with tangy garlic ponzu sauce and jalapeno tempura. Sushi specials change daily but usually include rarer and more expensive Japanese imports such as ishi-tai (black tail snapper), sayori (half beak) and kohada (gizzard shad). Desserts are over-the-top rich and very good--especially the espresso and vanilla profiteroles.
Sushi Roku's Santa Monica location (there are also locations in West Hollywood and Pasadena), is on Ocean Blvd. and is always packed full. A great place to people watch and if you are an "out of towner", this is hip place to eat on the Westside. If you are looking for basic sushi, I can recommend better places, but if you are looking for something a liitle out of the ordinary (both atnosphere and menu), then Sushi Roku is the place to go. Try some of the hot or cold appetizers instead of the usual Nigiri sushi (2 pieces per order). There are many choices, so ask the waiter what is recommended and you won't be disappointed. NOTE: MAKE A RESERVATION or else forget about going, other then that -- enjoy!
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The vibe here is very fun and the sushi is good. Not my favorite sushi place but definitely a close second. The service is great and it is a bit expensive but the atmosphere is impecable.
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This high class sushi restaurant is the place to go and to be seen. You really need to make a reservation for dinner or expect a looong wait. The sushi chefs are all Japanese, which means that they've gone through the long training to become real sushi chefs and it shows in the presentation and the taste. Their Shrimp and Potato Chip entree is just to die for and I would love to know the recipe for the spicy mayonaise sauce that they use. The prices are high and each sushi costs at least $8-10 each. There's no self parking and Valet is $5.
PROS: Excellent Sushi, Seeing Hollywood Stars
CONS: High Prices, No Parking
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This restaurant is in a very cool area of Los Angeles. It has the style and ambiance of a very classy joint. Unfortunately for the price of the food, the cuts of sushi are unreasonable small and nothing to write home about. I waited some time just toget in, even though I already had reservations and when I was seated, I had to sit at the bar. I am a die hard sushi fan, I lived in Japan for 3 months so I feel like I have a pretty experienced sushi palate. This is not the place to go if you're expecting a true sushi experience.
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
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Best Sushi/Ambience mix in LA!
By JoshNYC
I lived in LA for nearly 9 years and ate at plenty of sushi restaurants, both high and low end. This may be on the pricier side, but it's well worth the cost. The Hanabi appetizer (soft tuna on crispy rice) is amazing and the plethora of flavorful and creative rolls make for a taste bud's dream.
There is a cool, usually Hollywood-ish crowd at this location, but it's not snooty like some of the other Hollywood places. The service is very friendly and you get your food on the quicker side, regardless of how big the crowd is on a given night.
There are also plenty of great drinks and Japanese beers and sake, and the ambiance and settings make for an awesome experience.
This is a great place to go on a date, hang out with friends before a night of partying, or even bring your family.
I have been here more times than I can remember and have NEVER been disappointed. It's always the opposite - I'm constantly impressed with the high level of quality here in all respects.
Pros: Variety, taste, service, crowd, ambiance Cons: Reservations usually necessary for prime times
Posted 12/11/08
Good for the people watching and atmosphere.
By diamamamia
I love sushi. My bf mentioned we were interested in the "Hanabi" Spicy Tuna appetizer, which I guess meant that the manager should just go ahead and order it for us. We ordered our original appetizer and I really liked that one. Just can't remember it cause it was good. Of course, my bf liked the one the manager ordered for us. It was a bit too heavy for me. We ordered the Kobe Beef and Lamb appetizers, which were excellent. Food was good, just a little overpriced.
Pros: Good food and eye-catching ambience. Cons: Price.
Posted 09/29/08
great experience all around
By fyigirl
My husband and I had dinner here recently. The service was friendly and fast and the sushi was fresh and delicious. Try the scallop appetizer. I love the setting and atmosphere.
Pros: great sushi and atmosphere Cons: I can't afford to go as often as I would like
Posted 07/27/08
Bad service, overpriced and small portions
By foodie114
My boyfriend and I are big sushi fans and went to Sushi Roku after hearing all of the good reviews. Granted, we walked in without a reservation, but were told it would only be a 20 minute wait for a table. We waited at the bar until about 30 minutes had passed. We asked the hostess about our table and she said it would be another 40 minute wait. After sensing our irritation, she offered to let us sit at the bar for our meal. We agreed because it was getting busy and all we wanted to do was eat. The bar was cramped and there was no leg room, the bartender even took our orders. We ordered their Chef's special sushi compilation and other dishes. The dishes were all overpriced for the small amount of food on the plate. Although the food was good, after spending over $80 on dinner, we were both still hungry when we left. The bartender was very nice to us, but someone needs to tell the hostesses to better accommodate customers or at least be honest with them. There are many other trendy sushi places in L.A. that have good customer service and better food that is priced reasonably.
Pros: Sushi was good (but not worth the trip) Cons: Service, busy and cramped, no parking (have to valet), overpriced
Posted 05/21/08
Best sushi in the area
By jolie714
This is the best sushi I've had in this area. The rolls are really unique and delicious! The bar is also very hip, fun, and sheeck (sp?).
Pros: YUMMY! Cons: EXPENSIVE sushi, traffic/parking, people are seated too close together.
