Roka

Amazing

17 Apr 08, 23:19 Beyond expectations

This might be my favourite place to eat in London... the food is fantastic and a great eating experience.

The place is buzzy and feels very much the place to be. As everyone else has said the Black Cod really is one of their signature dishes and a must try.

The best Japanese In london

16 Apr 08, 14:18 Above expectations

not only is the sushi suberb there's a few signature dishes that will amaze: the black cod, asparagus and that's not forgetting the 'dessert ship': this is a big selection of all the desserts on one big plate-either take a big party of friends or a very very hungry companion thats maybe not eaten for a week or so!

Black Cod

16 Apr 08, 13:52 Beyond expectations

That's all I need to say really - try the black cod!

The restaurant not only has delicious food but they make tehri own vodka and honey... using bth ingrediants you get the best cocktails on this side on London. The downstairs is a dark but rather trendy bar.

All is expensive... but you feel you get what you pay for here... its all very tasty!

Roka rocks!

18 Oct 07, 19:05 Above expectations

I really like this place - it's always got a buzzy, busy vibe, and sitting at the wooden bar and watching the chefs cook up tasty asparagus spears and chicken wings over a charcoal grill really whets your appetite

That said, I usually come just for the sushi - which has never yet disappointed me. The sashimi is deliciously fresh and beautifully presented and the tuna tataki salad with mustard and apple dressing with its fresh sharp flavours is a particular favourite.

If you're swigging back a bunch of cocktails or a lot of wine, that will really bump the price up, but it's possible to have a great sushi feast without feeling like you can only afford to eat rice for the next two weeks.

Get there early and have a drink downstairs in Shochu if you can. Even if you're not a sake fan, they do great lychee martinis and the like.

Really truly beyond expectations

11 Oct 07, 22:50 Beyond expectations

Japanese food of the highest order exists on Charlotte Street.

While seasonality is not heavily adhered to in Roka, the food is really, really bloody good.

We went after my graduation, and so I'm unable to remember all of the dishes we tried, but the maki came beautifully arranged on a long plate, and was clearly freshly prepared with bits of fish hanging from the end pieces, and delicate flower petals pressed into the rice. The Asparagras was so lovely we had to have it twice, with a sweet sauce of soy and mirin. the chicken wings were sicky and very moreish.

But desert was something else. The tonka bean ice-cream is one of the best ice-creams i've ever tasted, and a steamed custard of green tea was delicatly flavoured, and not too bitter. All in all, superb, beat a path to the door now!

Excellent food and service

08 Jul 07, 14:29 Above expectations

Recently went to Roka and decided to splash out on the tasting menu. The sushi is excellent, without a hint of the fishy taste (in the negative sense) so prevalent in regular London sushi. Presentation also receives top marks--sushi served on a block of ice?

All dishes were in fact excellent, bar the teriyaki dishes--which turned out to be more charcoal than teriyaki. This didn't disappoint me too much though, as I was never a big fan of teriyaki as a whole.

Wine list leaves a lot to be desired (by the glass, and 8 varietals only), but sports an excellent and exotic range of cocktails and Japanese drinks, as well as that Japanese favourite: scotch whiskey (despite this the couple at the table next to us attempted to order Jack Daniels and Coke!).

Dessert was also tasty and fresh, with fruit so fresh it was still tart.

Service was attentive, friendly, and very informative.

Overall the tasting menu was probably a little too expensive at £50/head, but the food was good enough that we'll be going back for 2-3 dishes next time!

Roll with it

20 May 07, 17:51 Above expectations

Head Chef Nick Watt is charm personified , this in itself is not a reason to go to Roka , the amazing sushi, sashimi and Robata grill food is. Decor-wise, think scrubbed wood, crisp napkins, nice glasswear and a huge oak bench surrounding the prep area, where you can see the sushi chefs' years of skills being put into practise. Traditional types of rolls have been jazzed up with Western ingredients, and you get the feeling that Watt's Kiwi pedigree is a strong influence. Try the sparklingly fresh sashimi, soft-shell crab roll or the gunkan maki-zushi roll with Wagyu beef, caviar, fresh ginger and spring onion. Life-changing stuff.