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Message from Sushi Roku
Sushi Roku is located steps away from the Santa Monica Pier, 3rd Street Promenade and walking distance to the beach. Our 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. We have 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).
Editorial by Citysearch
In ShortThe Santa Monica branch of this ultra-hip sushi chain offers the same urban-meets-Zen design, but surpasses other outposts with an ocean view from the enclosed patio. Most nights, the bar area buzzes with singles, while the dining area is left to sushi-sharing dates. But raw fish is only half the story here. Appetizers--hot and cold from the garden, sea and farm--demonstrate what this kitchen can do. The list includes tuna spring roll cigars with Asian beurre blanc, soft-shell crab in champagne butter, fresh salmon rolled with daikon, ponzu and caviar, and filet-wrapped asparagus with soy sake. The sushi needs little else than the fresh and expert cut. Delicately mixed spicy tuna served in a hand roll is a must, as is the specials menu, which has introduced such wonders as tempura ahi and avocado-and-tuna sashimi over wonton crisps with creamy mustard.
Key Points
- Voted Best Sushi in LA
- Three Locations in LA
- Ocean Views
The Inside Scoop
- Where to Sit - Request a spot on the patio. Time it right and treat yourself (and your date) to a stunning sunset along with the yummy sushi.
- Parking - Beach parking is fierce any time of day or night. Don't take chances, head for the valet. Validation will save you about $3.50 at the lot on Ocean.
- Parking - Opt for the valet, found on Ocean Avenue or park in one of the public pay garages on 2nd Street.
- Where to Sit - Request a spot on the patio. Time it right and treat yourself (and your date) to a stunning sunset along with the sumptuous sushi.
Insider Pages Reviews for Sushi Roku
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Some of the best sushi in town!
by tauro
I'm new to LA, so I haven't been to all the sushi spots yet... but I've been to enough to know that this has to be one of the best! Everything from the appetizers to the sake exceeded my expectations. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants, preferring the smaller "holes in the wall" that have the owner's exclusive attention, but Sushi Roku is the exception to that rule. Great decor, very friendly environment and service, and best of all, a great menu. I went with a couple of friends and let them order and there wasn't one dish I didn't absolutely love. Highly recommended!
Posted 11/26/04
great!
by yukyee69
I was new to omakase but figured that it would be cool to give it a whirl. After my experience at Sushi Roku, I love omakase and it was a great introduction to omakase. the pieces were well-crafted and succulent. Also, each dish had a different flavor and I devoured every plate. It wasn't that expensive for omakase either--$80 per person I believe.
Another plus-I heard that celebs such as Britney, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddie Prinze, Jr. frequent Roku.
Posted 10/28/04
Good for dates...
by patatina
I went there on a date and I think it was the perfect place..the decor is elegant and the candle light makes it chic and romantic.The sushi was one of the best I ever tried and the best was the eggplant appetizer (try it!) Make reservations and if you are not promptly seated seat at the bar and order a glass of wine which will prepare you for the sake later on..Ask to be seated inside if you enjoy privacy..the patio gets a little too loud.
Pros: romantic,soft lightin, great japanese food, valet parking
Cons: , restrooms
Posted 04/01/04
sushi roku santa monica
by s43046
While on vacation, we had dinner at this sushi bar, what a wonderful experience! The waiters and the chef at the sushi bar were the BEST. We are new to "sushi" and always treat ourselves wherever we travel, and this was the best!! The food was the best, the waiters,most helpful and so accomodating, and as an added surprise , dined with Cindy Crawford and family for son Presleys birthday at the bar, but the restaurant was the BEST!!!!!
Pros: staff, food, ambience
Posted 01/13/04
You get what you pay for
by jetsetmann
This place has all the trappings of a hip sushi joint. The decor and staff are young and fresh, and the bar is close and inviting, always a lot of socializing. Overall, the menu is excellent, although pricy compared to other fine sushi restaurants. If you like frequenting Santa Monica, the pier, the Promenade and all the people-watching, you can't miss with this place!
Pros: food, service, location
Cons: price, price, price
Posted 09/20/03
Delish!
by c22forever
I love this place! The sushi is outstanding! The Toro, like "budda"! The chefs are awesome & the service is attentive, amidst a tranquil & classy environment. Have always had great experiences at any Sushi Roku I've been to. The Santa Monica location is fantastic as it is always nice to take a romantic stroll down the beach or to the pier afterwards. The prices are on the high side, but well worth it!
Pros: Outstanding Food, Ambiance, Service
Cons: Expensive
Posted 07/31/03
Reservations no good
by heymabel
Even tho I had 8:30 reservations for 5 people, we weren't seated until an hour later. There were no apologies, it was as if just being a hip place was excuse enough. Sushi was delish tho.
Pros: Hip, Beautiful people, Yummy sushi
Cons: Reservations no good, loud, expensive
Posted 07/07/03
Top west side sushi
by tremens64
Spectacular dining event! Always great service with even better food. The sushi is fairly standard. Stick to the specials and you cant miss. Deref to the waiters to make resomendations if you have never been, they will not steer you wrong. Memorable: Albacore Sushi, Baked Lobster Roll, Yellowtail sashimi w/ jalapenos, filet mignon wrapped asparagus.
Valet parking is on Ocean, (not Santa Monica Blvd.) Highly recommend reservations.
Pros: Great menu, Fun atmosphere, Great date spot
Cons: Can get expensive, Charges $1 for ponzu
Posted 01/23/03
Effiecient Service
by Brown999
Walked in to this "Great" place with no reservation at about 9:45pm on Friday Night. We were "pleasantly" greeted by the hostess. Told her that we are a party of 3 and have no reservations. She was very nice and happened to have a table available immediately in the dining room. We were quickly seated and quite pleased with the efficiency. Great Sushi, Excellent Ambiance and Quick Service. So much better than going to a "Dive" sushi place with no ambiance. The music is great "Cafe Del Mar", very popular music around the world.
This place is truly amazing. Forget the "local, low-class" sushi places, this place has caputured my business for a long time.
Posted 11/29/02
Great ambience and bar scene
by moulin57
After being dissapointed with the food quality at Katana (Roku's other restaurant on Sunset) I tried the Hollywood Sushi Roku. I didn't have a reseravtion and had to wait 45 minutes, but drank sake with three friends. One was from out-of-state and got to see Brad Pitt, which made her night. The three girls at the front desk were friendly and funny, and looked like models--a cute australian and a gorgeous asian girl my brother tried to hit on. When our wait exceeded out time, a friendly manager bought us a round. The service was slightly rushed, but our server was funny and helpful and the food was outstanding (Premium toro tasted like candy). Awesome time, especially when entertaining visitors who have never been to Hollywood.
Pros: ambience, celebrity-watching, beautiful employees
Cons: crowded, long wait
Posted 10/29/02
Tied Best of Trip
by wpalme00
We happened in to Sushi Roku as a local suit recommended it and said it was trendy. This was Tuesday late lunch. Immediate seating in a delightful atrium. Unbelievably good spicy tuna sushi and another special garlic soaked something. Chocolate Volcano dessert not too heavy and full of flavor. Great service.
Posted 07/19/02
Best Sushi on the Westside
by jsamplin
Sushi Roku continues to have best fish and service. We do try other restaurants, but always come back to our favorite. Outstanding Toro and excellent specials.
Pros: style, fish quality
Posted 06/21/02
Bad vibes & too much attitude!
by viv12
If you don't make a reservation don't bother. The hostess told us it was a 1/2 hour wait, but we didn't get seated at a "table" for 1 1/2 hours....they tried to seat us at the sushi bar. When we finally were seated the server forgot about us and didn't even take our order for another 1/2 hour. The bartenders were not much better. This place is low on service and very big on LA attitude!
Cons: bad service, long wait
Posted 06/16/02
more for less the wrong way
by ta
Giving this joint the benefit of friend's recommendations i trudged back to the roku and to my surprise i actually spent more money than before and got even less of a dining experience - the portions were actually smaller and the cuts left MUCH to be desired - but - the bar was crowded and seemed very cheerful in there - perhaps it would be a much better bar than restaurant...
Pros: singles, bar, cocktails
Cons: pricy, lousy food
Posted 06/06/02
They brought the attitude from Sunset
by jccowboy
Really great sushi, really expensive, and chart-topping Hollywood venality add up to a net neutral. Wouldn't wait for a table here too long.
Posted 05/22/02
Good scene, decent fare
by BObermiller_Citysearch
A pricy sushi joint where you pay more for the scene than the food. The sushi/sashimi is good but not worth the extra cash compared to lesser-known local sushi spots. This is a great place to kick off an evening on the town.
Pros: Cool scene
Cons: expensive, long wait
Posted 05/20/02