09/18/08

Definitely NOT worth the money

by lally1

Although the interior is nice and the staff seems pleasant enough, that's about where the positives end. The first thing you'll notice is the place is deserted. I'm talking Saturday night prime time -- dead! Don't worry about reservations, you definitely won't need them. I've been to this place three times (never my idea) - always on either a Friday or Saturday night - and it was empty each time. Unless they have an insane lunch crowd (right!), I have a feeling this place isn't long for this world. The food isn't terrible, but it's so-so at best. The presentation is ususally nice, but what's the point if the food doesn't live up to it. But the real problem with this place is the small portion size and the insane prices. That's a lethal combo - each of the three times I've been it's cost me close to $200 for two people for food and drinks. And every time I had to stop off at Tommy's on Lincoln and Pico for a double chili cheese (yum!) because I was still hungry!! What a rip off! There won't be a fourth time for me. There are too many other better places in the general area to come here. I have a feeling all the positive reviews of this place were written by the owner.

• Pros: Nice interior
• Cons: Average food not worth the crazy prices

04/03/08

So glad this is in my neighborhood!

by lmparker

I love this place! Each time I go I am more and more impressed. The food is tasty and beautifully presented; each plate is a work of art! I highly recommend the sauteed edamame, the duck sushi roll, and the chocolate mousse sorbet dessert. Be sure to save room for cocktails! They have shoju (like Japanese vodka) that is infused with fruit like lychees, raspberries, and strawberries. They even have a jalepeno shoju if you're into that! If you haven't had a lychee martini, you better try one, they are fantastic! Bartender Frank is personable and attentive and makes it a fun place to hang out while he's mixing up the drinks. I highly recommend it!

• Pros: Food, drinks, location, service
• Cons: None

Hip Japanese restaurant's low blue backlight shines on Brentwood sophisticates sampling seafood specialties and potent concoctions.

by Contributor

In Short
Light techno music echoes off of the planked wood ceilings and slate floors as a well-dressed groups gather in the charcoal, gray and beige-backed leather benches by dark wood tables. Small plates of cinnamon chicken skewers and lamb cutlet with garlic kimchi sauce are divvied onto square white plates as slim silver chopsticks spare black tiger prawn tempura, eel rolls and yellowtail ceviche. A large wall of glassed soju infusions tempts those who are looking to spice up their cocktail selection.

03/03/08

really really wanted to like this place

by bevglengirl

I live / work right nearby and have wanted to drop into this place since it opened. I'm always on the lookout for fun new local places to go out to with friends, and this place had a fun menu and cool vibe. So I thought I would test out the food on my way home from work. Stopped in and asked if I could get some takeout and was directed to the bar where I ordered a few rolls.

While I was waiting for the food, I asked for a glass of chardonnay. I took a few sips of the wine and then the bill came. When I opened it up I saw that my Chardonnary was $15!! Insane!!! I asked the bartender if he had served me the most expensive wine, protesting that I was just looking for a glass of the house Chard. He replied that my $15 wine was the cheapest wine they had in the restaurant. Are they crazy? Then he said something about how they normally serve wine in carafes - but this doesn't explain the absolutely astronomical price. When I said I thought it was pretty expensive as I was just looking for a glass while I was waiting, he got a little confrontational and said, "do you want me to take it off your bill?" After some discussion I said yes, and he grabbed the wine and threw it in the sink. !!!! Unbelievable - this is a new restuarant trying to attract repeat diners folks!

As I was leaving I said thank you to the bartender, but he didn't respond or even acknowledge me. Needless, to say I will never go back.

• Pros: Cool vibe.
• Cons: Awful service. Outrageous drink prices.

03/03/08

Great Food slow bar

by FoodnDrinkLover

I dont think I could say which I enjoy more - food or drinking! We recently visited the Zu Robata Friday February 29th and I dont think I could say enough good things about the food in this place. Our server was excellent helping us with food recommendations. The yellowtail ceviche and black tiger prawns were amazing. (Both suggested by our server and he really knew his stuff). He suggested that we try something different and started us off with some of their Pan tossed edamame which was a great twist from the norm. We really only had one complaint and that was the speed of the drinks. We ordered a couple of their house cocktails and a couple of our dishes beat the drinks out. Not sure why as there seemed to be a couple bartenders on and our server obviously put in our order promptly. We watched him tap at the bar waiting for our drinks and apologized when he brought them to the table. We joked with him about why it took him so long to watch the 2 bartenders stand around making our drinks when there was minimal people in the bar area. He smiled, said no comment and walked away. I would highly recommend the Zu Robata to any food lover, but if you are looking for a quick drink my wife and I would suggest you order water.

• Pros: Great food excellent server
• Cons: slow bartenders

02/15/08

Best Restaurant in West LA

by gdub29

My husband and I have been here 6 or 7 times and we absolutely love it. We were there the first night they opened and as with most restaurants there were more than a few hiccups. We were a little afraid to go back but, we decided to anyway and I am so happy we did. The service has gotten better and better and the prices have dropped (since the first month) and the food is excellent! I am not sure what happened with the people who had bad experiences but, judging by the dates it was close to when they are opened. They have worked out all the kinks now and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed when you go. It is the perfect date restaurant; with a beautiful ambiance, great food, excellent drinks, and great service.

02/12/08

One of the Best Places on the Westside

by dcardenas1

Absolutely fantastic. Beautiful hip interior without all the hipsters. Genuinely good food. Bustling on the weekends.....zen-like during the week. My girlfriend and I have been there three times and have been amazed with our selections every time. Highly recommended.

01/10/08

Zu Robata rocks!!!

by originalpamster

My new favorite restaurant this side of town! Beautiful presentation of dishes, mouth watering food (Prime Filet in Spicy Pear Miso marinade-- like buttah! blue fin sashimi- fantastically fresh! ) Hail to the chef! The numerous flavor-infused vodkas was a treat-- like being in a candy store! Reasonably priced too.

Our waitress was friendly and very exotic, the owner was gracious, the whole ambience was classy, modern, and relaxing. Can't wait to gather my co-workers and go for happy hour! Should be fun!

• Pros: food, decor, ambience, flavored vodka

01/07/08

My New Favorite Sushi restaurant

by shaferdaniel

I'm not sure what happened with the people who wrote negative reviews of Zu Robata but my girlfriend and I went to Zu RObata and absolutely loved it. We are big fans of Sushi Yu N Mi, R22, Azami, Matsuhisa, etc and felt that Zu was as good or better than those places and not nearly as expensive. A plate of salmon sashimi came beautifully displayed on a block of ice and was 5 pieces for $7. That is not a $$$$ restaurant. We had the salmon lollipops which were incredible, the portobello mushrooms, the black cod and a few other dishes, not to mention a bottle of sake and a glass of wine - all for $100. The decor is very modern - dark wood with beautiful jars of fruit-infused vodka. And our waiter was a Southern gentlemen who was very conversational and professional. If they had some problems when they first opened, I think they have fixed them because we are definitely going back. If you like asian food, especially plates of interesting fusion dishes, I would check this place out.

• Pros: great dishes, decent prices, great ambience

11/24/07

Zu Robata has brought a new touch of class and feel of Japan to the Westside!

by greekg

It's sophisticated, it's classy & it has the extraordinary flavors of Japan! Zu Robata was recommended to me by a friend. She said it is the best restaurant to enter the Westside in years. Having lived in Tokyo, Japan at one time & loving the cuisine I couldn't resist trying it out. I'm SO glad I did! Thoughts that came to mind as I entered the restaurant were: classy, upscale & serene. The ambiance is: perfect lighting, amazing interior design, relaxing yet hip music & a breath taking wall beautifully designed utilizing the numerous Shoju Flavors (Japanese infused vodka) they serve. We were greeted by the hostess (pleasant) & a charming gentleman who welcomed us & introduced himself as the General Manager. He asked if this was our first visit to Zu Robata, it being so he took us around the restaurant to show us it's beauties, while he explained the thought put into every detail. The Robatayaki Bar they have created is definitely something I haven't found in LA: very cool! We were waiting for friends so we sat at the bar for a drink while we waited. I had the Olive Shoju and my friend had a Lavender Shoju: both amazing! Our friends came & we were seated at a lovely table. The menu selection is amazing! I love the "tapas style" selections! Reminded me much of my favorite restaurants I frequented in Japan. We ordered a variety of items since they all sounded delicious! Our order included: a variety of sashimi, yellowtail ceviche, a tasty salad, grilled scallops w/ garlic sauce, lamb cutlet (to name a few). Each dish was presented like a piece of art. Then came desert - need I say more: We loved it all! Everyone was so welcoming and pleasant. The charming GM came to our table numerous times, the chef came out and spoke to us & others and our server was friendly & attentive. The cost is competitively priced compared to other restaurants in LA of it's caliber. I plan to make Zu Robata one of my frequently visited places to eat and I plan to recommend it to the masses!

• Pros: sophisticated! classy! delicious! welcoming!
• Cons: none!