Insider Pages Reviews for Sushi Roku

3 Stars: no big deal (by diGitAL9)

diGitAL9 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

If you like Sushi... No! I mean really like Sushi, then this place isn't no big deal unless you are trying to impress a girl that doesn't know any better. Make sure she glances at the check, she might ...you know. Anyway, the food might look pretty but it's not that great.

5 Stars: I Hear This Place Is Great (by Romano)

Romano — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I have heard this place is really good, but I haven't actually been there personally. I hope to go some day and enjoy all the food people speak so highly of.

1 Stars: Bad Service (by teddychick)

teddychick — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The lounge area is very nice but the service there is terrible. I went with my boyfriend and the waitresses are always dressed provocatively. This last time I was there the girl kept bending over in front of him showing her cleavage. Every time she would come to our table she would bend over and do this. The other girl was wearing a dress so short that I could see things I did not want to see as she was cleaning the tables. This is very uncomfortable as I am trying to have dinner with my boyfriend.

4 Stars: Picture perfect but pricey (by Pizzaafan)

Pizzaafan — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Definitely has the look to impress- the dishes are not bad either but a little on the expensive side. The location of this restaurant is obviously superb and the interior design is beautiful. Great for large groups or couples- service can be a bit unpredictable but some very nice dishes are on offer.

5 Stars: Great sushi (by irs2)

irs2 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place! Try the miso Rock shrimpand their sea bass rolls to die for. Been to all their locations Pasadena and Bev Hills is my favorite.
Try their YUZU margarita

4 Stars: Fusion sushi dishes are good. (by simplyjg)

simplyjg — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I've been here a few times and really like the music they play. Their food is good but not the best if you want fresh sushi or sashimi. A little over priced considering their sushi is not excellent. Stick with the fusion dishes and you will not go wrong.

1 Stars: WORST sushi ever! (by ROKUSUCKS)

ROKUSUCKS — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I've gone to Sushi Roku in Pasadena several times( although I urged my party to go elsewhere, I optimistically gave the place a chance again and again-but NO MORE)..and every time it is such a disappointment. The service is so pretentious as if the waiters were to get a beating if the didn't give me their "forced" smiles and I felt I was up against an aggressive car salesman than a waiter. The sushi has consistently been horrible. On this particular night I came to see why. Able to understand Japanese I overheard a manager speaking to one of the sushi chefs about the Toro (the most expensive fish) thawing out, and having to sell the older fish that day! I was going to speak up to that manager but he was so rude to begin with, I opted to share the message on this site instead. If I am going to get thawed out fish I'd rather go support a small mom and pop establishment where I will get more appreciation and sincerity.

1 Stars: WORST sushi ever! Don't pay top $ for frozen fish! (by DISSaPOINTD)

DISSaPOINTD — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

5 Stars: Good food, nice ambiance, impeccable service. This is the place. (by concierge21)

concierge21 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Me and my girlfriend decided to go out to dinner. We decided to go to our casual sushi place ( WOKANO ) Pasadena. We been there several times before. It was my birthday, I kind of wanted to stay home, busy work week. But my girlfriend convinced me. That?s why I wanted to go somewhere casual. We got seated ,ordered our drinks. Showed our I.D. The waiter comes back to us, stated that my girlfriends I.D. is fake. I asked to speak to the Manager. The Manager comes and informs us that they can check if its real or not. I told her you should of checked it
before hand. After we were wrongly accused, we decided to take our business elsewhere. I?ve been working in the hospitality Industry for 15 years. As a Guest Service Agent and Concierge. Never have I been treated in such a manner. I was shocked that they would let there patrons get up and leave with no apology.
Thinking that are night was ruined. I remembered that Sushi Roku has a location in Pasadena. When I worked in West L.A . I use to send them a lot of business. Cause the luxury hotel I worked for was just one block away.
Once we got to sushi Roku. I explained to the hostess. We did not have a reservation. She had us wait a couple minutes, but we were seated promptly. I was impressed from the time I walked in. To signing the 30% percent gratuity. The waiter was patient with us ( NEW CUSTOMERS). The service was impeccable, the food well presented and delicious. The ambiance was great.
This restaurant has it all. Thank you Sushi Roku for making a un pleasurable night, a night to remember.
P.S. Never heard back from the Manager?s from Wokano. Even after we emailed them about our situation. But that?s O.K. I will never step foot in that establishment again

2 Stars: Made for idiots who like to overpay for sushi. (by Nozferat)

Nozferat — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I can't stand pretentious restaurants...and this one fits the bill. Filled with wannabe Abercrombie losers and "young professionals" who can't see beyond the next day as far as spending habits.

Lord knows, there are tons of places like that in LA but this place happens to be close to where I live. We thought it would be a nice place to go but the ludicrious prices for what you get pretty much makes this place worthless.

3 Stars: Good and bad, but worth taking the chance (by HungryInPasadena)

HungryInPasadena — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Just had my fifth meal there, three times for the Omakase course. Sushi is not bad but not worth the prices they charge. You can get them just as good or better for far less in places like Oomasa in Little Tokyo. Their fusion dishes are questionable. Fusion Cuisine is a product of those who failed to achieve the master level in any one style, someone said, and I agree.

Omakase course turns out to be most interesting and rewarding, despite its high price and my misgivings about the fusion food. I was not disappointed it in the past. The one I had tonight, however, didn't agree with my system for some reason. Three of us ate the same course, and two of us had upset stomach later in the evening. The third is feeling fine, so I cannot say for certain that the food there was the cause. And honestly speaking, I did not find anything suspicious in terms of the taste or the smell in any of the raw items we consumed. We enjoyed them as usual. The dessert was a bit on the rich side, so perhaps the ice cream and rich chocolate didn't agree with hot sake. We will try the Omakase again in a moth or so, and until I find the reason to feel otherwise, I would continue to recommend the place. Go for the Omakase, and enjoy the thrill.

3 Stars: Sushi Roku (by Linda O.)

Linda O. — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:35:00 GMT

The food is a little expensive. However it is good. I think they should give you a little bit more for your money. When I was there the customer service was good. I recommend you to go.

3 Stars: Fine (by blitz16)

blitz16 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I'm still on my sushi hunt in Pasadena, and decided to try Sushi Roku. The restaurant had a nice ambience, and I was hopeful. The cocktail selection was interesting, but the food was a bit of a let down. It was "fine". Nothing exciting, nothing terrible. It is a bit expensive, and the food that we had didn't seem to justify the price.

5 Stars: excellent food, service and atmosphere (by bcosko)

bcosko — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Sushi Roku is amazing. I've been to both the Santa Monica location and the Pasadena location. The Pasadena location is my favorite with an extremely friendly staff and wonderful atmosphere. The food is wonderful- the kobe beef skewers are the most amazing appetizer on the menu and the sushi is not only fresh but beautifully presented. The shima roll and katana roll are my favorites, each lending a wonderful burst of flavor. The shima roll has a tiny piece of cilantro on top which gives the sushi a refreshing touch.
I would definitely reccomend Sushi Roku. Although both locations are great, I would say that overall I've had better experiences at the Pasadena restaurant. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, reservations are easy to make- and even without a reservation they do everything they can to accomodate your party as soon as possible. Not a pretentious place, delicious food, welcoming staff and a great atmostphere. I highly reccomend it!

3 Stars: If you want good sushi, don't go here. (by gina_jones)

gina_jones — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Sushi Roku used to be really good, I don't know what happened. You are paying for the atmosphere of this place, but the sushi and food are overrated. The sushi chefs are way over the top with their constant greetings. A pet peeve of mine, they served the dinner entree with the appetizer and when we told the waitress about it she didn't understand or just played stupid by naming the items we ordered. To top it all off the bartender needs to pour a little heavier.
If you're a guy on a first date and not really want to feed the girl - go here.
If you want real sushi then I guess we have to trek to Sushigen in downtown la, or heck even Famima sushi was better than this.

3 Stars: Romantic dinner, good martini (by linlaobay)

linlaobay — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Nice decor, the the food was just average. If you are really a true sushi fan, you should not expect good sushi. But if you are one of those people who refers to california rolls as "sushi," then you may like this place. I probably would not go back again just for the food, but it's a good place to go with friends or people you want to impress.

5 Stars: Good Food, Good Times (by jerzy3)

jerzy3 — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I didn?t know there was a Sushi Roku in Pasadena until I saw it tucked back off of the main street. My friends and I decided to check it out. The service was great and I was pleased to see many non-sushi dishes since I am not the most adventurous. I highly recommend the Spicy Shrimp dish, it was fantastic. Will definitely go again.

2 Stars: Birthday Grinch (by shoediva1739)

shoediva1739 — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Sushi Roku is not the place to spend your birthday. Large parties aren't welcome here as the service is so slow, no one eats at the same time. The clincher is that you can't bring a birthday cake unless you want to pay an additional $2.50 per person charge for them to serve it for you. I have never heard of a restaurant doing this! I could understand if I was bringing a dessert that they make themselves. With nine people in the party, the bill was $350.00. We'll never go back and this was a regular stop for us. The cake charge just let me know that I need to spend my money elsewhere. Incredible.

4 Stars: Only if it's omakase (by dewydrop)

dewydrop — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Yes, the reviews are true. This place is very white, except for the sushi chefs, and very noisy.
If you want quick service and quality sushi, sit at the bar, not the tables.
Don't order any rolls. They have a tendency to fall apart before they even enter your mouth.

Finally, request for omakase (everyone's great but Toyota-san is just fabulous!).
Yes, omakase can be a little pricey (starts from $40 per person) but you will not be disappointed.
The most recent omakase we had ranged from roe shooters, fresh oysters, 8 nigiris (including toro and sweet shrimp), assorted sashimi and rolls, and finally a petite-four kind of dessert (vanilla bean panna cotta, fudge brownie, fried banana drizzled with caramel, and raspberry sorbet) on the house!
Artful presentation, fresh tasty sushi, and entertaining conversation.
The omakase definitely makes up for the noisy and wannabe japanese atmosphere.

5 Stars: Pricey but excellent experience!!! (by Yung W.)

Yung W. — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:32:00 GMT

The foods there are a bit pricey, but its worth it! Great scenery, setting, and service. World class restaurant. Recommended, if willing to spend a few bucks.

5 Stars: It's Worth It. This Sushi Is Amazing. (by ts125)

ts125 — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I don't care if it's expensive. I don't care if I have to wait to be seated. This is the best place to have sushi in Old Town, maybe all of Pasadena.
The restaurant is beautiful, really "Zen." The servers are professional and freindly. Not to mention prompt, even when it is packed. If you are overwhelmed by the extensive menu just ask them for guidance, they are only to happy to assist. My husband will only eat sushi here (on the East side of town.) The matchbooks are so flipping cute. Well, they are! We eat here once a week or so and have never had a bad meal or a bad dining experience. If you want to have an incredible Japanese dinner, then stroll through the heart of Old Town, look no further. Sushi Roku rocks.

3 Stars: Good little place to be with friends (by sxzdiva)

sxzdiva — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

This is a great little place to have some sushi with friends, and family. The atmosphere is great! The sushi is okay, nothing out of the ordinary. The service is good.

3 Stars: So So Expensive for the food (by joan_mutter)

joan_mutter — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

If you like being part of the "see and be seen" crowd, Sushi Roku is for you. This place is all about where you are seated and who might be sitting next to you. The sushi is always fresh but, honestly, it's no better or worse than a dozen other sushi restaurants in the area. The prices though, off the charts. I have been here a few times and always resent the check just a little bit when it arrives. The service is generally fine but I could do without the attitude of about 60% of the customers. One dish that is worth every penny (and, ironically, is not sushi): the filet mignon wrapped asparagus appetizer. I could eat these all day.

5 Stars: Amazing Dishes! (by msq)

msq — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Me and my boyfriend went there for the first time and my first impression was great. The ambiance is very romantic. Everything we tried was great the and server was very knowledgeable. I asked so many questions and he could answer them all w/ good detail. We had a yellow tail sashimi appetizer plate, he had fillet mignon, I had sushi rolls and Japanese scallops sushi. I even had a sake sampler (recommended for novice sake drinkers). We shared a dessert which was really good and unique.

5 Stars: Fabulous Fusion Sushi Spot... (by tofutratra)

tofutratra — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

my boyfriend took me to Sushi Roku for my birthday, and it was fan-tabulous... first of all, the interior design and decor already caught ur attention. we were first served w/ our drinks. i had a fusion martini, and my bf had their house beer "Red Sun", which were both wonderful. we then had out appertizers, toro, yellowtail, and uni sashimi, and their special of the day, sashimi salad. i have to say the sashimi salad was a bit disappointing due to the tiny portion; however, the taste was delicious. their sashimi was of top quality, but be aware of the "market" price when u order toro... we paid $32 for 4 small pieces... yikes... in terms of main dishes, we were actually a bit skeptical about it cuz we heard from other friends that they were just so-so... i tried the chilean sea bass, and my bf had the rib-eye steak, and they were both wonderful... we definitely had to disagree w/ our friends on this one. we finished off our meal w/ a fried banana spring roll dessert, which first off... it was very creative and yummy, and second, they knew it was my bday, so they wrote "happy birthday" on the plate, plus a candle for me... i have to say this was quite a wonderful bday i had...

5 Stars: Great sushi..Great location (by ashuri)

ashuri — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Can't beat it...it is a nice location with great prices...We had sushi here and found each piece more delectable than the last

5 Stars: small plates. good food. good sake. (by aira177)

aira177 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

ambience ambience ambience! beautiful. this restaurant is beautiful. the food is good, but the plates are small. the sake is good also. the service is a bit slow sometimes, but the food wait isnt too long.

4 Stars: Too expensive fot what I get. (by sushifishlover)

sushifishlover — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Nice ambience, I love thier bar that you can have nice cocktails while you wait for seating. Appetizers are pretty good but I think the sushi is average and it was too expensive for the avarage sushi.

4 Stars: Simple but Good (by karnicwar)

karnicwar — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

The menu was not as diverse as I had expected for a higher end sushi restaurant, but the basics were fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. The Yellowtail Scallion rolls were fabulous, and the chocolate lava cake for dessert was divine. I would definitely go back as the ambience was very soothing and the service was excellent. However, if you're looking for a long list of novel rolls, I would go elsewhere.

5 Stars: Best Birthday Ever! (by lynn_nyc)

lynn_nyc — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

We ususally don't eat trendy, but this place was recommened, and it was well worth it. Sometimes fushion does not work with sushi, but at this place, the orignal sushi dishes were delicious. The service was friendly and helpful. I even got a beautiful birthday dessert, with a little candle, and the plate said, "Happy Birthday, Lynn" What a treat!

3 Stars: Be prepared to shout. (by joefromla)

joefromla — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Staff was friendly, although service was sometimes slow. Visually nice, but very loud. The sushi is excellent, but as others have pointed out, the hot dishes may not satisfy. The sea bass was a disappointment. Teriyaki shrimp was mediocre. A trendy kind of place, but overall not great value.

5 Stars: Best Sushi (by tomdav22)

tomdav22 — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

When eating in Old Town Pasadena, Suhsi Roku is my hands down first choice. The quality of sushi is very high, really fresh fish. I like that many of the items are inventive. The atmosphere is excellent with a very happening bar area. Service is warm and friendly. Truly, a great place.

4 Stars: Seated immediately, reservations recommended, great menu, great customer service (by mhuynh)

mhuynh — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Nice place to have dinner or grab lunch. Not the most romantic atmosphere, but the food is pretty good. The miso eggplant dengaku is a must-try appetizer and the tempura lobster tail is great too. Sushi is mediocre. Portions are small. However, staff is wonderful. Green tea creme brulee for dessert is a good choice.

4 Stars: fun place (by andrea p.)

andrea p. — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:20:00 GMT

i didn't have sushi here, just saki, drinks and dessert, but it was really fun. i definitely want to go back again. i loved the chairs and atmosphere. i heard the sushi was ok, but I'm gonna go back to try it. worth it just for the atmosphere anyway though.

4 Stars: Great dessert (by Mandi B.)

Mandi B. — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 10:49:00 GMT

We went here for some drinks and we got a Volcano. Oh my gosh so good it has chocolate thing ice cream and this cheesecake thing. The chocolate thing is to die for, pure heaven. The atmosphere is fun too everyone is there to relax and enjoy their night. It is really pretty inside and i liked the lounge area in the front.

4 Stars: Go for the specialties (by lonediner)

lonediner — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

As with any trendy place, sushi roku is tastefully decorated. If you find that the tables are full, the bar/lounge area is very comfortable as well if you just want a casual place to eat with lots of activity around you. But I would say as all the other reviewers, this is not a pure sushi place, you would probably want to go for somewhere a bit more intimate.

3 Stars: Great ambience! Better than average at $$$. (by fudluverseeker)

fudluverseeker — Mon, 15 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

The ambience is great. Stick to some of the specials and special sashimi dishes. The traditional sushi is average with prices 30-50% higher.

If you want great traditional sushi go somewhere else, if you want creative items with a nice date atmosphere with money no object, then Roku is recommended.

4 Stars: Great Valentine's Day Dinner (by skyzero)

skyzero — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My wife and I had reservations this Valentine's Day for dinner at this restaurant. Very impressed with the freshness of their sushi. Their entrees were very tasty and satisfying. Our server was friendly and patiently explained several dishes to us. Service was prompt and attentive to our needs. Empty glasses and bowls didn't linger more than a couple of minutes before someone took them away or re-filled them. The wait for our food was a bit a long, but it might be because it was Valentine's Day and extremely busy for them.

5 Stars: Do You Love Sushi? (by romcom)

romcom — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Simply stated: There are many sushi restaurants in Pasadena. How do they all stay in business? Bar none, Sushi Roku serves the freshest most innovative sushi in town. I love the interior, it is sleek and cool and beautiful all at once. The prices are a little high, but all good sushi seems to be somewhat pricey. I do not care about that at all if the dinner is a memorable one. Sushi Roku has yet to let me down. I love going with a group. It is also a great place for parents- if raw fish turn them off, steer them towards the fab teriyaki chicken.

5 Stars: Trendy sushi place. (by sammysamadi)

sammysamadi — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The regular sushi is good, the specialties sushi is better and more creative.
Even the rib-eye steak is very tasty and juicy.
The only drawback is the service.
Why? My server are very aggressive in asking me for drink orders. They are more attentive if I order and keep ordering more drinks!!!
Surely, Sushi Roku make a lot of profit in their drinks... but that shouldn't be the only way to be attentive to your customer.
I don't drink that much, but I do eat the best and a lot of it.
My sushi food bill alone goes up to $100, that food only, but drink portion is only $10.
Beside that bad service from not ordering enough drinks, the food is very good as well as the surrounding which is hip and trendy. Sure, bring a date and get her drunk while you enjoy that sushi!!!

5 Stars: simply amazing (by eatingismyfavorite)

eatingismyfavorite — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I just went here for a special occasion and I can't even begin to describe how wonderful everything was. The food was delicious (we tried almost every roll on the menu as well as tempura and plain sushi) and the service was amazing. Our waiter was very friendly and patient (as we had a large group) and it was one of those places where you drink gets refilled and old plates get taken away without you even noticing. The chefs were all extremely friendly as well. This place is at the top of my list.

5 Stars: Super Ichiban, Foo Foo, Freshest Excellent! (by importinsider)

importinsider — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

When a restaurant does several things right, somebody will usually attack the ambience, and try to down play the WHOLE experience as being "foo foo", "all hype", "trendy", "over priced", etc, etc, but I think if your looking for value than you'll love this place because quality is something thats being over shadowed by the millions of restaurants sprouting up everywhere delivering the cheapest and the biggest kind of california, poki, etc. rolls. Sushi Roku offers a great balance of value thats driven by quality ingredients, experienced Sushi Chefs (Shin'san) and a unexpectedly impressive kitchen menu. The Colorado Lamb was very good! It was prepared perfectly (med. rare)!

1 Stars: Terrible Food!! (by Amy E.)

Amy E. — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 22:03:00 GMT

Today we ate our Sunday lunch at sushi roku in Pasadena, very popular at its other locations, so we decided to try it..... the only sushi we ordered was california roll, it was very good, also edamame was ok (can't go wrong, nothing to add just serve), other than that our hot entrees were absolutely incredible bad, starting with the miso soup, no flavor at all, just like plain boiled water, we had their baked miso cod (I had a similar dish at Nobu in Los Angeles and at Nobu Las Vegas and it was excellent) , here very strange flavor and bones on the fish, the tempura was mushy, we also ordered one of the chef specials, chilean sea bass with spicy bisque sauce, I have no idea what this was, can't describe the flavor because there was no flavor there, the fish was very strange again, totally bland and bad after taste!!!
Please don't waste your money here. Not Recommended!!
Expensive and not good at all, and I don't mind paying when the food is good, but here?????
I should mention that service was good, but with the food being so incredible bad the good service didn't help.

This review is specifically for the Pasadena location, I would hope that the problem is only here!!

PROS: Service was good!!
CONS:

3 Stars: overpriced sushi (by c t.)

c t. — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 14:18:00 GMT

i agree with the other reviews here. sushi roku has good food, but it is overpriced for sushi. if you're looking for an upscale restaurant, this place has beautiful decor and is very peaceful and serene. it's location is convenient, as it is in old town, in the middle of lots of shops. however, there are many other japanese restaurants in the area that are just as good and better priced. the bottom line is go there if you have the money or want a great date atmosphere and don't mind paying the extra price for it.

PROS: decor
CONS: price

3 Stars: Overly Priced (by mary q.)

mary q. — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 10:54:00 GMT

Sushi is good there but I think it's over priced. Everyone that I know says it's over priced. It's more for the scenary....can't spell the other word. But always good to try anything the first time.

3 Stars: Good but pricey (by CaesarTheDay _.)

CaesarTheDay _. — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 21:28:00 GMT

Much like previous reviewers I found this place expensive for the quality of sushi you get. Decor is absolutely brilliant and a great setting for a dinner with friends or a date. Interior decor is very calming and conveys a sense of Zen.
Sushi choices are plentiful and good. The food is always tasty but the price makes it a place for special occasion rather than your daily sushi fix.

5 Stars: (by T. B.)

T. B. — Thu, 03 Feb 2005 12:44:00 GMT

Best sushi in Pasadena. Try the tempura rolls with jalapenos. The atmosphere is calming, as well. A bit pricey, but a nice splurge.

3 Stars: Why so successful?? (by carol188)

carol188 — Sun, 23 Jan 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I don't understand how Roku's managed to crop up all over L.A. I was drawn by the location and decor but the food is completely lackluster. Had the lamb, which was delicious, but the sushi was not fresh-that's just scary!! I've had better teriyaki at Yoshinoya. The service is slow and indifferent-again, have had better at fast food joints. If you're looking for ambience and not good food or a good time-save your money and visit a museum.

4 Stars: Very Impressive (by phr0zengurl)

phr0zengurl — Sun, 07 Nov 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The food was great (pretty Americanized) and we didn't have to wait at all, very fresh seafoods and the filet mignon was the tenderest I ever had in America. All in all, it was very delicious and I will definitely be visiting Sushi Roku in the very immediate future. However, I wouldn't put Sushi Roku at the top of my list with regard to the setting and environment. Pretty small and squishy (we were lucky to get a private bordered off area, but still), and quite excessively loud with very limited lighting. Their price was generously low for the quality of foods and services they offered. Very nice place. Yep, I will definitely return, but maybe not to the Old Town branch. Their drinks list was short though, and the watermelon martini was horid. Try the Fusion though.

2 Stars: (by Lionel Z.)

Lionel Z. — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 11:26:00 GMT

Their sushi is good; but I don't believe it's so good that you'll be willing to pay $7 for two small pieces of it.

3 Stars: (by M A.)

M A. — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 10:50:00 GMT

The interior is beautiful, the sushi is okay, the prices are expensive.

5 Stars: Best on Pasadena (by joedell)

joedell — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Anyone who doesn't consider this the best sushi in town does not understand Asian cuisine. The fish is the freshest and highest quality I've had. The servers are always friendly and without attitude. Great to go to for birthdays and celebrations. We had a table of 15 and sat in a private section in back. Those at our table that didn't have sushi, ate steak which they said was as good as the local steakhouses. thanks again Sushi Roku...you rock.

1 Stars: i'd rather chew on my arm (by birdieboarder)

birdieboarder — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

It's amazing how the general public sometimes will let the hype and the look of a place determine their likeness or opinion of a restaurant...

Food... their fish is SO mediocre if not less than, their menu's are flashy and they try to make the food sound good but unless you can make it like it sounds, then you're menu is Crap!!

Service... this guy was... bad Bad BAD!! don't get me wrong... he's trying to do his job but c'mon!! seriously... lets also try to bring all of our food....and hey... how bout actually checking on us everyone once in a while... am i asking for tooo muuuuuuch

Price / Value.... yeah... way Way WAY overpriced... I could've gotten 3 times the amount of food at Maru (in Arcadia)!! Never am I going there again

4 Stars: Great Ambiance (by danjloyd)

danjloyd — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Their atmosphere was great and it was really happening. The food was OK but kinda pricey. However, I really liked the ambiance and the crowd was pretty cool.

4 Stars: More Than Just Sushi (by huskyduck)

huskyduck — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The bento box they feature at Roku is one of the best deals you will find anywhere. The marinated grilled lamb chops were out of this world! Black cod kasuzuke was addictive. All dishes are works of art at Roku.

The sea eel, blue fin toro and sea urchin were particularly fresh on the sushi side. Service was surprisingly sincere and warm which was a big surprise considering how "hip" Roku is considered to be. And yes, you will probably see a star or two but please, no autographs.

4 Stars: Recommended but not for romance (by patee333)

patee333 — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The restuarant is actually quite lovely. Very foo-foo for just sushi. But for those people who just LOVE sushi but has a significant other that doesn't like the raw deal, they also have the good old fashioned steak and potatoes for the meat eaters. The ambience is really nice w/ mood lighting, fountains and exotic rock formations. The food was quite nice too, however I wouldn't pay that price except for maybe on the Mackeral and Ikura.

The only thing that kills the romantic mood is the crazy yelling out of the greeting by the Sushi Chefs. It completely interrupts your conversation and sometimes even makes you jump! LOL

4 Stars: Delightful and Delicious (by netter1)

netter1 — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I was first concerned about wasting money on a high-brow restaurant where you pay too much for ambience instead of quality food. I was more than pleasantly surprised and proven wrong from the moment we stepped inside. From subdued lighting to burbling water fountains, the decor was understated and calming. The sushi (and we had a few dozen pieces) was excellent. The test of all fresh sushi for me is the uni (sea urchin roe) because it's so fragile. The sweeter the taste--the fresher the roe. I've never had sweeter. Although they concentrate on the sushi here, their dinner entrees are varied enough so that you can enjoy a pleasant evening and not worry about the red meat eaters among your group starving for want of choices. The service was exemplary and unobtrusive. Our beverages were always filled, empty plates were whisked away without notice, and suggested items were delicious.

3 Stars: Ugh (by truetoform)

truetoform — Mon, 14 Apr 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Can a Japanese restaurant get any more whiter? Are they going for a fusion feel or are they just trying to be some trendy hangout serving mediocre food? Im not purist, but this place has got to find its identity. The food was expensive considering their portions were minuscule and the flavor was sub par. If youre looking for a cool hangout with little regard for food, this is the place. Otherwise, keep on looking.

3 Stars: A Food Critic (by afoodcritic)

afoodcritic — Fri, 18 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I was impressed by the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant although the sushi was not as fresh as I thought it would be. Sushi Roku is very trendy and a nice place to go if you are not necessarily going for the food. However, it was extremely expensive.

5 Stars: Great Date Place for Sushi (by Keilani)

Keilani — Thu, 17 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I wasn't on a date when I first visited this beautiful restaurant, but the ambience is so calming and romantic, I think it would be a great place to take someone. I went there for lunch one day--the hostess was polite and friendly and our server was very attentive. The items on the menu, including the lunch specials, are a bit pricey. But the sushi and the food were fresh and tasty. I didn't have a chance to order some of the more interesting items (I was on a quick lunch), but I'm definitely planning on making a dinner trip to Sushi Roku soon.

4 Stars: 8 (by kim_truong76)

kim_truong76 — Wed, 21 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

The food is excellent and the people (server) is very nice.

2 Stars: SUCKS!!! (by Puffy_bb)

Puffy_bb — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Would never step in no more. I requested to be sitted on other desk at 5PM dinner, where not a soul were even there! but the waitress gave lame excuses bla bla bla...and gave us attitude throughout my dinner....BIG TIME SUCKS!!!

5 Stars: Good food for too much yen.......... (by yokoromo)

yokoromo — Sun, 30 Jun 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I've been here once and enjoyed the meal but the restaurant is a bit pricey. I can't rate the sushi since I like my food cooked but the salmon was excellent. The restaurant was beautiful and I can see how it would be a good place to bring a date but I have had salmon just as good for less money so this place would not be first on my list when eating in Old Town.

5 Stars: Best Salmon (by jjgirl)

jjgirl — Wed, 26 Jun 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to Sushi Roku a handful of times and my favorite dish is the grilled salmon. It's a must-have!! It melts in your mouth. The ambience is pleasant and the service is extra friendly.

4 Stars: Good sushi in Old Town (by rsumner)

rsumner — Mon, 10 Jun 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Good quality sushi in old town near AMC 8 and UA movie theaters. Great place to go before a movie.

5 Stars: Irasshai mase!! (by ajzucker)

ajzucker — Wed, 22 May 2002 09:00:00 GMT

This place is awesome! The fish is fresh, it nearly swims off your plate. The cooked food is unique and inventive. You must have the mushroom appetizer!!

The service is so friendly, you do not want to leave.