Sushi Roku

Doesn't Recommend

cathrineann

Joined 5 years ago

Don't bother...really!. Worst sushi of my life!! I wouldn't have minded the $200+ bill if the food was good. Very smushy rice, tough kobe beef, california rolls that tasted like the sushi chef was practicing on me and really, I'm not that hard to please! The Toro was tasteless...I can go on....but you get the message. Go somewhere else. Period.

Recommends

jeffrey1966

Joined 5 years ago

Reservations a Must!. 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!

Recommends

DebbieLundberg

Joined 5 years ago

Great Salad and Edamame!. While the bar is a bit of a "scene", the service was good and the food was even better!

The view is wonderful and the location is one that will keep you staying around a bit longer than you might otherwise.

The eel is recommended and the ginger salad is tremendously huge and tasty!

Recommends

augustchase

Joined 5 years ago

great experience. My boyfriend took me to the sushi roku in santa monica last night for our anniversary and we had an amazing time. Although crowded, we were seatede right away, it was still romantic, and the food was awesome. The servers were very friendly and comp'ed our dessert and brought out a flaming light thing with it for our anniversary. I would definitely recommend this place, the food and the service were great. If you do not want to deal with some crowds and noise then find a place that isn't so trendy, but if you don't mind then this is a great spot.

Recommends

kiercemartin

Joined 5 years ago

Trendy sushi. This is a pretty trendy Sushi spot in Santa Monica, but with good reason. They do some really different/interesting rolls, and the sushi is always top quality. There's a really nice feel in the place, and while it is a nicer sushi place it does a good job of balancing between nice and too nice. It's not Nobu, and it's not trying to be, but its still really nice, trendy sushi.

Recommends

LIndaAfromPhoenix

Joined 5 years ago

Great Food. Everytime I come to Venice to visit my Brother I just insist on coming here at least one nite.

Great food, Great service, fun place to be

Thanks for being there

Recommends

sgeshti

Joined 5 years ago

Highly Recommended Sushi Restaurant. I have been to this restaurant many, many, many times. Whether its weekend afternoons or weekday evenings, I have basically seen this restaurant empty and full. Overall, the menu is a bit overpriced, the drinks are great, but the sushi is absolutely delicious. The interior of the restaurant is presentable and the dim lights make the place seem a bit romantic. The waiters (although not all) are patient and will make sure your sushi is prepared the way you like it (especially if you are the picky kind). My boyfriend and I have sat at the bar, but I would truly recommend the tables more than sitting at the bar at this restaurant in particular. The little bar does get crowded during the evenings, but then again which bar is not packed? Certain things have to be expected especially if you live and know what the LA scene entails.

Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Doesn't Recommend

foodieinlosangeles

Joined 5 years ago

Can't see the attraction.. We go out for sushi ALOT. We've heard about Sushi Roku and been wanting to try it. When we got a gift certificate this past Christmas, we went ahead and tried it, though it's not as local as we would want. With the popularity of sushi, we don't have enough time and money to try all the new places and keep going to the ones we already favor that's within 1-3 miles of where we live. Though the very early weekend reservation of 6:30PM, we expected (per other reviews by prior patrons) to be put off and stalled to get us to order drinks at the bar, but happily this did not happen (the place was virtually empty) and were seated right away. When we try a new sushi place, we go to the sushi bar and ask for "omakase" -- where the sushi chief is suppose to use his good judgement in terms of the fresh fish for the day and his expertise. I knew we were in trouble, when, after we said "omakase, please", the sushi chief behind the counter looked disappointed and resigned. YUK -- their omakase menu is a set menu, and absolutely nothing to do with the sushi chief behind the counter. Their idea of omakase is the opportunity to charge you alot for a set menu. Everything came prepared from the kitchen. The sushi chief, other than giving us more wasabe or ginger, wasn't involved at all. The food though was pretty good, but definitely not enough to justify the price. When we asked for suggestions from the cold sake selection, the sushi chief recommended one that was one of the lower priced items. The maitre de however recommended the most expensive item. We tried both, which were dry and clear, and pretty good. My husband likes his sake cold and dry, and I like my cold and unfiltered. The unfiltered sake was awful and I asked for it to be replaced. By the time we left, it was crowded and loud, with people packed at the bar. We're okay with paying for sushi when it's worth it as we like good food, but it's got to be worth the price. This was definitely not worth it.

Doesn't Recommend

rushjc

Joined 10 years ago

Over priced and Over RATED. This place has a great bar and happy hour sitting right on Ocean Ave. But that is it. You are paying for location.

If you want good sushi regardless of price this place is not the place to go. Tourist trap. There are so many better sushi places in LA that are at the same price. Yamisharo is one in Hollywood Hills is the same price and is around much better quality. Very expensive for the quality.

Doesn't Recommend

jstan11

Joined 6 years ago

Avoid - Poor quality of sushi and bad service. Sub-par sushi...don't waste your money. My faves on the west side are Echigo and Hide. They have delicious, fresh fish. If you haven't tried them and you love sushi - go there instead in a second. Roku is mediocre at best. Plus, the waitress was snotty. One of those awkward dining experiences where she totally pushed the most expensive dishes on the menu and made me feel cheap for ordering what I wanted. I hate that kind of service. I don't want to feel obligated to order drinks or certain dishes just to pad up the bill, you know?