Roka

Had my birthday at Shochu Lounge this weekend. As usual the food was good. Although I was pretty disappointed with the size of the platters. The service was ok but i would have preferred to have my own waitress with a table of 10. She was pleasant enough but seemed to be serving a few others.

My bill came to £500 so I was rather disappointed that I did not get a complimentary dessert, a mint with my bill or even a happy birthday from the staff - who knew very well I was there to celebrate my birthday. Not good enough for me or my friends (who thought they should have done a little something special) - I like to be treated like a princess on my birthday.
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Princess
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Monday, October 24, 2011

I went here last night with some friends.

Good points: - delicious food, and you can give them a budget per head to work from. We gave them £35-40, and it was WAY too much food, so even £30 per head would get something good.

Less good points: - The alcohol is extra expensive, so 2 bottles of wine came to £90. So in the end, the bill was £80 per head. Bit too much.

- Bad acoustics, so that if you have 6 or more in your group and the restaurant is full, you cannot hear a thing. I could not hear anyone except my direct neighbours. If you don't mind this, no problems, but I find it stressful.

- They should have adjusted our menu and price when they realised they were bringing too much food.

Although good, I wouldn't go there again as the bill was just too high for what we actually ate and drank.
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LJ
5 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Sunday, September 11, 2011

I usually test sushi restaurants in very city I travel to. Out of 10 I rate it 8.

Things I look for in a restaurant is not limited to the food. The food at Roka was great, presentation of the dishes and the taste. But it lost some points for me on the following:

1. We ordered a menu listed on the card and it was not available. This is unacceptable in any restaurants you go to. If you list it you must have it.

2. The restaurant also has a long wait for large reservations. Althought the restaurant was nearly empty when we got there.

Anyway I really liked the new types of sushi they have on their menu. Well guys enjoy your sushi.
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Sophia Carballo
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, August 18, 2011

We went to Roka on a whim last night deciding to celebrate some good news. We arrived at 10pm and were lucky enough to get a table. We chose the premium set menu and our waiter chose the wine for us. The food was staggeringly good ad I still can not work out how lamb can be so juicy. The black cod dumplings were probably the highlight but the underlying quality was impressive. Our service was wonderful and it is refreshing to have people enjoy describing the food enthusiastically who clearly enjoy their job. I would recommend eating here to anybody who enjoys modern Japanese food.
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SB
7 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

I went on Saturday to Roka and have to say that it was one of the best evenings I have ever spent in a restaurant.

The food can work out to be expensive as the number of dishes you order increases but the food is fantastic and takes away the pain when the final bill comes.

Great service and cant wait to go back again.
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Sean Flaherty
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 06, 2011

i went there few day ago and all i can say , food was amazing , very fresh and served on nice plates , our waiter was great , with excelent food and wine knowledge...Atmosphere good. Yes, will come back .
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Vince Taylor
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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