Roka (Japanese) – London, England (9/10)
Sep 5th, 2007 by admin
[UPDATE: I revisited Roka on 04/04/2009, so please read the review here]
Roka is a trendy glass-fronted restaurant (and the sister restaurant of Zuma) on Charlotte Street, serving delicious modern Japanese cuisine. It’s not Japanese-owned, and some people might regard this as simply fusion food, rather than authentic Japanese. So you’re looking for the latter, don’t eat here. But I’ve eaten at Roka several times and have loved it each time, although I wish I could afford the more expensive items! There have been numerous and mixed reviews of Roka since it opened a few years ago (Giles Coren’s review of his experience is hilarious), but so far I’ve not had any bad experiences.
It is noisy and always full of media types, given its location, but I think it’s worth coming here for the food, and the service is pretty good too. The best seats by far are at the wooden counter (a huge slab of solid wood) around the huge Japanese robata grill in the centre of the restaurant, where you can observe the chefs busily preparing and grilling the food. There are also tables outside, which is nice in warmer weather.
The asparagus grilled skewer was incredibly fresh, as was the scallop grilled skewer, and the pork and scallop dumpling was amazing, but best of all were the various maki roll, particularly the softshell crab, and the salmon skin temaki (handroll). The dishes can be quite small, so order carefully, unless you can charge it to your company expense account. A light lunch or light dinner for two without wine costs about £60.00, but it could cost far more if you splurge out on the expensive dishes and sake! You have been warned…Next time I’d like to try the tasting menu (£50.00 or £75.00).
10 – Perfection, 9.5 – Sensational, 9 – Outstanding, 8.5 – Superb,
8 – Excellent, 7.5 – Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 – Average
All the London restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact Details:
Roka
37 Charlotte Street
London W1T 1RR
Tel: 020 7580 6464
www.rokarestaurant.com
Took clients there last month, the £75 tasting menu is amazing! Possibly the best food I have had in London both times I have been.
Book a table downstairs in the bar if you’re looking for a more lively evening. It has a completely different atmosphere to upstairs. Darker, louder music, and low seating sofas. Strangely, the downstairs looks a bit like a Swiss ski chalet, but somehow suits the atmosphere.
Rowan
my husband and i went there last nite to celebrate a very special occassion. we went for the 75 Pounds tasting menu, and it was absolutely the best meal we ever had! You should definitely try that next time and thanks for the recommendation!
bingchun – Hurray! So glad to hear you had an excellent meal and I’m now very much looking forward to trying the tasting menu (either one, but if you recommend the £75 one…!). Now I just need the special occasion!
Thanks for letting me know!
Helen Yuet Ling