Roka

I found this restaurant very disappointing. Service was poor, despite there being more than a dozen staff standing around idle. Our food arrived one plate at a time and extremely slowly, the last person in our party had to wait until everyone else had finished before their food arrived.

The food can only be described as average, for the price they charge I was expecting something special but I've had more generous portions and tastier food in much cheaper places in chinatown.

Also, I'm not sure why but there were stacks of Super Tenants lager visible in the kitchen, I don't know if it was being used to cook with or if it was just for the staff but either way it's not something I'd expect to see in an expensive restaurant.

All in all it was extremely poor value for money and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
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2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, January 13, 2011

Yes it's expensive, but wow what a wonderful dining experience! I'd eat here every week if I could afford to.

I've dined here a few times now and put simply it's my favourite restaurant in London.

The scallops, beef fillet, baby back ribs and lamb cutlets from the robata grill are all superb, with wonderful marinades, spices and dressings. The sushi and sashimi are top notch.

There's plenty of food theatre on show also - especially if you get a seat around the robata grill - as the chefs prepare, baste and cook the grill dishes over hot coals. This can though cause a lot of salivation whilst waiting for your dishes to be served!

Sake-wise there is a huge choice and all I've tried are good. They do a great mojito too.

Roka has a great location on Charlotte St and is therefore handy for pre and post meal drinks nearby. The staff (of which there seem to be millions) are very friendly and helpful - nothing is too much trouble.

Last time I was there, Jamie Oliver was dining with friends also and he seemed to be having a bloody good time there too.

See you soon Roka (when I've got a bit of extra cash spare).
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Hopey
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 29, 2010

we went for lunch yesterday and we were bowled over.

the food was incredible. tempura was fresh, the sticky ribs were succulent and the sea bream was breathtaking. a really refreshingly different menu and fantastic quanlity and attention to detail.

the service was equally as good - just the right level of attention and speed.

i'd eat here every day if i could afford it.

definitely one of my best ever meals.
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fiona lopez
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Had dinner at Roka last night for the third or fourth time. It didn't get off to a good start - the front of house staff were the rudest I have ever come across. Our table was not ready which was fine but no-one offered the slightest apology, it was almost as though we were in the wrong for expecting our table to be ready on time. As we stood and waited with all our coats the girl just stood there staring at us until I asked if she could perhaps take our coats to which she huffed and puffed as though I had really put her out. I have heard about this surly attitude at Roka before and we really did experience it first hand. We were not the only people to suffer this as we heard someone else complaining about their attitude on the way out.

The restaurant was packed and there were clearly not enough staff to cope. Our waiter was great but he had far too many tables to look after and whenever we needed anything we had to wait far too long to grab someone's attention. No-one came to fill up the wine or water, there was no soy sauce on the table which surely is a given at a Japanese restaurant.

The food was ok. I think the tempura is always a good way to judge a restaurant like this and it was soggy and tasted deep fat fried. Other dishes were ok but it really was nothing special.

At £100 a head, no-one in my party of 7 was overly impressed. I have eaten far better sushi in London and will continue to do so, not at Roka.
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AAB
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I've been there several times and each one of them I leave amazed by the quality of the food they serve. Excellent service. It's one of my favourites in London and would recommend it to everyone who wants to have some amazing food and a great time.
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9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 25, 2010

I visited Roka together with my husband because we heard so much about how amazing it should be.

The staff was very organised and friendly. We were offered to leave our coats at the reception and accompanied to our table.

The waiter was very professional and informed us very good about the food and recommended us a couple of things.

The atmosphere was alright, I was not really impressed of the decor.

The portions were very tiny and placed in a huge bowl...yes it looked nice, but then we were a bit disappointed of the taste. The sashimi was very good the sake too, but there was nothing special about the rest. I could not really figure out why I am paying so much for the whole evening. All in all it I would not go again and would not recommend it.

I ate definitely better japanese cousin before for a more reasonable price.
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Nana
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Sunday, August 29, 2010