Roka

Great location in a fab part of town, boasting a really striking interior and an all glass front so you can enjoy the atmosphere on Charlotte Street. The robata grill in the centre also heightens the buzz within the restaurant. That said the table placement was a bit too close for comfort - it’s always a bit disconcerting when the diner at the next table is sitting closer than your partner across the table from you.

The food is pleasant. Presentation is fairly impressive which is great if you care more about what your food looks like as opposed to what it tastes like. Unfortunately considering the cost it doesn’t even come close to somewhere like Tsunami in Clapham where the food is spectacular. But the food is agreeable and Roka fits as a good after work venue.

But without doubt the biggest shame was the staff. Relentless is the only word. There was rarely a 60 second period where they weren’t leaning across us as we were trying to eat or changing our plate and you really felt like they were trying to rush you out the door. At one point the waitress tried to top up my boyfriend’s glass of wine before he had even had a sip out of it – it was still completely full! We decided to try and slow it down as after half an hour we had almost finished the whole meal. So we tried taking time on each dish but they just kept throwing the next plate on the table. At one point I felt the waitress loitering behind me wanting to whip away my plate to replace it with an identical clean plate (??) and willing me to eat my last dumpling. I decided to just sit there chopsticks in hand finishing my conversation, hoping that she would back off. Instead she leant in, interrupting us and asked if I was having issues with my chopsticks. When I replied no and commented I just didn’t want to scoff my food down, she ran off only to return 60 seconds later with a chopstick holder which kids are given to help them use chopsticks!
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Emma
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Saturday, November 03, 2007

We were at Roka last week and were intreagued by the stunning interior the restaurant features.

The interior design is sophisticated and well thought through. Being an interrior designer myself, I would congratulate the head behind the scheme.

Unfortunately I have to point out some points that reallly let us down.

The menue is complicated and there is not one dish that is fully translated into the English language. To understand what you eat, you will have to ask a member of staff. The very pricey portions happen to be so small that we felt overcharged. The quality of the food was excellent, however the amount and preparation reminded me of tiny difficult composition that one might have found on a plate in the 80's.

Roka's staff is very fussy. The napkin does not need to be unfolded three times and placed back on my lap. If I may add here that I am expecting, I found this gesture very uncomforting and disturbing. One waitress interrupted a conversation I had with my dinner partner.

I can finally say I will not come beack to Roka. I do not recommend this restaurant but appreciate the very distinctive atmosphere.
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Nadja
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

I went to roka last wednesday lunch with my best friend and baby George. It has been a long time that we didn t go out with little George!!! Knowing, as I work as a sommelier in a french star restaurant, that sometime a baby is not so welcome!!! even if the restaurant mention "children welcome".

Anyway, we have been extremely impressed by the welcoming of the staff .

Seating at the counter, we had both a lovely time. the staff was helpfull, smiling, the food was fantastic, I will definitly come back to taste the entire "a la carte"!!! lots of saveurs and delicacy.

And I have to say, compare to other places in london at this standing, it is value for money, and at least you have a fantastic service.

Well done!!!

we will be back. Stephanie.
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stephanie
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 18, 2007

I went to Roka first just after it opened and before the media hype. The food then was quite excellent.

I went back last night, because my favourite Japanese restaurant, Ikkuyu, seems to have closed. I was very dissapointed with my meal, although others seemed to be having a good time.

I ordered a selection of sushi, red miso soup, tempura vegetables and rice.

The miso soup came first, having been delivered somewhere else first. It was passable, but I like my miso soup with everything else.

The sushi portions were tiny, and of the four straight fish pieces I could barely tell them apart. The eel had some flavour, but only because it was smothered in soya (or something else). I made a comment about this, but heard nothing back.

The tempura came with two sauces, neither of which added much flavour.

The rice was OK, but nothing special.

With one beer it all came to £36.

I think I should have ordered things from their grill. I had an excellent view of this, from my worst (and last) seat in the house.

I won't be going back soon.
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RichardLT
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Thursday, September 20, 2007

It's Zuma's sister restaurant but Zuma is soooo much better. I wouldn't go back to Roka but I'd go to Zuma every week if I could. Disappointing.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, August 31, 2007

Went to ROKA for lunch on bank holiday monday.Usually used to NOBU but was very impressed with this restaurant. The service was great very helpful staff happy to assist in ordering and suggesting some interesting dishes.

Sashimi/Sushi was excellent very fresh and presentation was immaculate.

Recomend the Butterfish with asparagus and the rice/crab hotpot but the hotpot takes 30+ mins so order first.

Will definately go back again soon.
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CharlesF
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Went to Roka last week and was very disappointed. I ha read the rave reviews and was looking forward to some great food. Disappointment started with the sashimi, cut far to thick and served on a bed of crushed ice - almost like chewing ice cubes instead of having delicate morsels melting in your mouth. I have never seen sashimi cut so badly, it looked like a 5 year old ad chopped up some fish and the flavour was obviously gone as it was served on ice.

The sushi that followed was no better: tiny sushi with rice that fell apart as it touched the soya sauce. Again, the size was wrong and the execution very poor. The Unagi was also a disappointment as it felt bony. Would decided to leave and forget about this place. Charlote street is a great neighbourhood though. Roka totally overrated and very expensive for what you get.
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enrico - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Sunday, August 19, 2007

Went to Roka last Saturday night for dinner...some of the best sushi/sashimi and creative presentation we have seen in London. Dinner was amazing...definitely worth the money! Quality of fish was on par with UMU, presentation even more innovative...
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a - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Had the £50 tasting menu at Roka last night. It was nice but i'm not sure what all the fuss is about. To be honest, I found it disappointing after all the hype.

Sashmi starter was as good as my local Japanese restaurant.

The cabbage was a spicy touch but served cold it didn't appeal that much. Aspargus was nice as was the dumplings and aubergine dish- again about the same standard as many a decent Japanese restaurant.

Sea bream in miso was the highlight of the meal. Creamy fish with a beautiful flavour. If all the dishes had hit this note my review here would be much more favourable.

Chicken yakitori had a burnt flavour and was really not that good (low point of the meal).

Desserts were creative and fruity a nice finish.

Overall a nice meal - nothing terribly wrong but also nothing special. We left a little on the hungry side having spent about £140. Would we go back? No.

If you choose to go, I'd advise to stray off the tasting menu as maybe there are more interesting things on the menu we didn't try.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, July 20, 2007

OK its a bit pricey at 50 pound per head for the tasting menu so many might consider this more of a treat but be in no doubts it is superb food. Not personally a big fish/seafood eater but when things are sourced/cooked as well as this its difficult not to be completely converted. No weaknessesin the menu from the sashimi and sushi starters, fish and meat from the grill right through to the desserts, The presentation and attention to detail goes well beyond the gastro norm making it more of a dining experience than a meal. Service was excellent and most importantly for a tasting menu they were clearly well organised in preparing and delivering the dishes. If I was being super critical some of the tables are a bit close together which takes away from the overall excellent ambiance with the chefs/grill in the centre of the restaurant.
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Stuart - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 27, 2007