Sushi Roku

Great location, but that's about it. I went to Sushi Roku Santa Monica and I was very disappointed given the hype and ranking in citysearch. The sushi was mediocre at best and at those prices the sushi was hard to swallow. The next day I tried Fat Fish and it was much better. I might give Sushi Roku another shot, but only if Fat Fish is booked that night.

Pros: ambiance

Cons: sushi, prices, service

Posted 07/07/03

Looking to see and be seen? Pull up a chair. Looking for attitude and average sushi at astronomical costs? Well, break open your chop sticks, mix your wasabi with low sodium soy and commence operation typical Los Angeles trendy scene. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.... I think not.

Pros: Cool architecture, Lots of silicone, Nice valets

Cons: Expensive, Trendy, Mediocre food

Posted 06/16/03

A fun place to eat with a trendy, chic atmosphere. The sushi is of good quality and presented nicely, but rates an A-. Regardless, If you're looking for ambience... Sushi Roku is for you. I recommend trying it once just for the fun experience. You might consider dropping by during happy hour, which offers a tasty and affordable menu.

Pros: FUN, atmosphere

Posted 06/05/03

I have been to both locations of Sushi Roku. The first experience at the one on Third Street was good. Great sushi and nice, somewhat slow service. The next time I tried Sushi Roku was at the Santa Monica location. The fish was dry and the service was terrible. It was so noisy that I could hardly hear the person across from me. When we would ask for something from the waiter they treated us like we were inconviencing them. I will never go there again.

Pros: People watching, on the beach

Cons: Expensive, Dry Fish, Bad service

Posted 05/13/03

I've been dining at Roku for four years now. I do try other Sushi Bars, but my craving for the freshest fish and a cool place always brings me back. I usually go twice a week. The inside tip is to sit at the sushi bar where the chefs will make you dishes that aren't on the menu.

Posted 11/20/02

The restaurant was very nicely decorated, however, very misleading. After the hour and a half wait I was completely expecting a great dining experience. First of all, the service was awful - the waiter was way too busy and the staff was miserable. I have tried sushi all over the world, even Japan, and I couldnt believe how expensive this restaurant was for nothing special. If you don't mind the LA hype - join the bandwagon and get ripped off for poor service and ok sushi, but if you are truly looking for a good meal or sushi - go elsewhere.

Pros: good decor

Cons: OK sushi, expensive, poor service

Posted 11/17/02

It's a nice place. It's a little overdone - where I come from, sushi bars are just sushi bars. But, it's cool.

The food was fine and reasonably priced. They carried a good selection of Japanese beers, which was neat.

A little anoying that they greet everyone who walks in - on a busy night, that gets a little redundant :)

Pros: good food, nice selection, nice people

Cons: dark, overdone

Posted 11/16/02

I have travelled the world over in search of sushi excellence, and if you are Japanese you may find several great places in Japan. But, if you are not, there is only one place to go where the sushi and the atmosphere coincide to bring you one of the best sushi experiences you may ever have, and that place is sushi roku. All others drop to their knees and bow to its greatness. You won't find a more attractive crowd, and the service is phenominal. If your going to Sushi Roku in Santa Monica, just ask for Nathan, from sushi novices to sushi experts he is the best.

Pros: tuna carpaccio, music, service quality

Cons: occasional wait, valet confusion, green tea martini

Posted 11/10/02

Once again, in choosing Sushi Roku as a "Best," Los Angeles indulges its love of pretty faces and ignores the fact the the food here is largely mediocre.

Pros: Fabulous Eye Candy

Cons: Expensive, Scenesterish, Overrated

Posted 09/26/02

This place is very trendy. Stay away from the sushi, it's not very good. The appetizers are good though. Nothing is worth the price that they charge. Watch out when the server reccommends a "special" because you will end up paying $20 for 6 pcs of sushi. It must be an L.A. thing, people will flock anywhere expensive, but cost doesn't equate to quality.

Pros: Good atmosphere, good appetizers, friendly service

Cons: sushi is just ok, expensive

Posted 09/17/02

Not the best but definitely not the worst. Sushi Roku always has a great selection and good atmosphere to it. Santa Monica is a great place to have a cocktail or two before going out. Friendly service always.

Pros: sushi, drinks, atmosphere

Posted 09/16/02

I enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant and the service is good, but the quality is not as good as many other sushi restaurants. The pieces are cut too small. Unfortunately what we're paying for is their rent and the cost to build one of these restaurants. I hate to say that, but it's the truth. High prices, small portions. More money for the overhead. I honestly can't believe that some people think that this is the best. Not bad, but not the best!

Pros: great ambiance, good service

Cons: overpriced

Posted 09/15/02

the black cod was amazing and the atmosphere was very tranquil and pleasing.

Posted 09/09/02

The portions of food were very generous and displayed beautifully using design and color as their invitation to dine. The waiters were very polite and fastidious. We enjoyed the very cordial atmosphere with comfortable furniture to complement the surroundings.

Pros: TASTE, ATMOSPHERE, COURTESY

Posted 09/01/02

great fresh fish with great flavors - great selection of unique sushi

Cons: slow service

Posted 08/30/02

The best sushi in all of L.A.
Awesome food. Creative & Tasty!

Pros: great food, good service, great specials

Cons: Wait too long to eat

Posted 08/29/02

I think the special dish of Pan Fried Oyster might be the best dish in town period!

Posted 08/07/02

The food was excellent, but you can get the same for a better price.

Pros: delicious, ambience

Cons: expensive, haughty

Posted 07/27/02

Monday night we were seated 1 hour after our reservation time. When we finally made it to our table I felt like I was attending a "fraternity sushi party", everybody started yelling...worse than birthday singing at a mexican restaurant. Once we ordered our sashimi, I had to review it with our waiter twice to ensure he "got it" (which I am convinced he never really did). Then asked if the sake used for the sake-cocktails was very dry and the blank stare was followed up with "I don't know" then "yes?" Scary. Once our sushi arrived (and I use the word sushi loosely) my previous conclusion was accurate he didn't "get it". I was very surprised to find that within our two orders of yellowtail sashimi one they decided to sear...when did they start searing sashimi...maybe it was just for fun? Don't both...real sushi isn't hard to find in LA.

Pros: on the beach

Cons: bad sashimi, bad service

Posted 07/23/02

Sushi roku has a great ambience, and the food is delicious.

Posted 06/11/02

Trendy and expensive - but overall a great place to go.

Posted 06/05/02

Sushi Roku is an ideal place to go with, a girlfriend for a chatty evening complemented by excellent sushi. The trendy scene is part of the draw, but the food can stand on its own. The ahi tuna salad pairs excellently with the tempura shrimp roll. Add a glass of Pinot Grigio and you're set.

Pros: Fun, Trendy, Beautiful people

Cons: Can get pricey, Variable service

Posted 05/22/02

Fresh sushi at it's best with excellent service, obviously a very well trained staff.

Went to dinner their with my wife and actually enjoyed the wait to be seated, great people watching and allowed us to relax, talk and sip on a glass of wine.

Service staff is well-trained to be appropriately attentive without being overbearing, effectively communicate the specials and creative dishes that you pay a little extra for.

Pros: Service, Creative Dishes, Fresh Fish

Posted 05/21/02

This is the kind of place where when I dropped one of my chop sticks, as I went to pick it up off the floor, a server immediately got to it before me, drew a new one from his apron and had it in my hand all within 3 seconds. Service is amazing. Decor is calming but the atmosphere is vibrant. The sushi is fresh and very good. This is the one place you can get an amazing lobster roll.

Pros: Incredible service, Exciting atmosphere, Good food

Cons: Expensive

Posted 05/21/02

I travel to LA often, and Sushi Roku is a must on every trip. The sushi and sashimi are wonderful, as are the cooked dishes. If you have room, the profiteroles are to die for! I highly recommend this restaurant.

Posted 05/21/02

more of a social scene that it is to go have great sushi - if you don't mind the scene and would rather you are seen - then you are in teh right place.

Posted 05/16/02