Roka

Disappointed by the whole dining experience and wouldn't recommend this place to anyone, even though the food was delicious and flavoursome.

We went downstairs for pre dinner drinks at Shochu bar, as we arrived an hour early. We were sat at a table and advised we had an 8pm booking. We weren't offered to order any snacks prior to our meal - which I found strange. We had to enquire twice if our table was ready and at 8:15pm finally taken up to our table - makes me wonder would we have been standing waiting for 15 minutes upstairs?

When we sat at the (far corner) table we decided to order the premium tasting menu as it provided a nice mix of food options from the menu including the Black Cod. The first 4 or 5 dishes were beautifully presented on a large dish filled with ice as they were served cold. When we had finished all of the items the dish was taken away. A few minutes later the grilled Scallop arrived, timed perfectly. After we ate the scallops, then the disappointment started - we felt like it was a rushed job to get us out the door with several plates of hot food getting cold on the table, we had to ask them to hold off on bringing more food immediately only to be told that was the last of the main dishes. 4 hot dishes on our table was way too much food to be on the table at the same time from a tasting menu. The food became cool and felt like we were being rushed through our meal. Ended up having to say do not bring the desserts until we ask - this is really poor form from a restaurant that offers a tasting menu.

On top of this the waiter cleared my plate before my boyfriend had finished eating - this is not how service should be, again adding to the rushed feeling.

I had high hopes for Roka but the restaurant's attitude was not up to scratch and the overall experience of dining there was so disappointing. The staff in the dining area provided good service, apart from clearing of my dish as mentioned about, and they were fairly attentative - shame the attitude of the restaurant for a tasting menu isn't one dish at a time - which it is at many restaurants that offer a tasting menu.
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Steph
6 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 14, 2012

I went to the Charlotte Street Roka last night to celebrate my girlfriends birthday. Needless to say she was very happy! Even today memories of the flavours keep returning.

We had the table booked & in my opinion it was perfectly positioned with great lighting/ambiance. Our waitress was very attentive and always served with a smile. First impressions were as expected.

Started with the cocktail menu which had a very interesting selection of drinks. plenty to talk about,

I knew from having read previous reviews kind of what to expect (in terms of price). You can go there on a budget of about £30-£40 a head (with soft drinks). We went for the Premium Taster menu which was £75 per head. The food was stunning however the taster menu is just that, lots of small portions.

Next time I go I will pick a selection of my favourites in a larger dish format.

Black Cod, crab & crayfish dumplings. A MUST! I wish I had more

Foi Gras Umeshu. Not essential but very interesting

Lam Cutlets – YUM!

Selection of Sushi & Sushimi – Any of them will do nicely; Wagyu Gunkan (the best)

Smoked Duck breast – Delicious, very interesting flavours. wow

Broccoli No Shiume – How can vegetables taste so damn good??

ROKA dessert – What a surprise.

Bigger portions of these would sort one’s taste buds out just right! Look forward to trying out some other dishes aswell.

In addition next time I would look to book a table next to the cooking area in the middle of the restaurant. The chef's are very entertaining and personally I prefer less formality.
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7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Thursday, May 24, 2012

Roka is wonderful! Took some difficult clients there for supper last week after a recommendation from SheltonStreetStudios and it couldn't have gone better! Thank you!
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Gilbert
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Took a group of Japanese food rookies to Roka to dispel the rumour that Japanese food is just raw fish. We could only get a table in the Shochu Lounge to eat. Food, as usual, staggeringly good, atmosphere lovely - but completely let down by the service which was virtually non existent. The whole experience was ruined by constantly craning our necks trying to get our glasses topped up etc.

Such a shame.

Also, the wine is eye wateringly expensive, be careful what you're ordering.
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Savannahx
6 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Saturday, March 17, 2012

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