Harden's survey result
Summary
“I love sitting at the counter with my partner, drinking the cocktails and sake, and having the most brilliant food!” – These “chilled” (if “noisy” and “buzzy”) operations hail from the same stable as Zuma, and have carved a formidable following thanks to a Japanese-inspired array of “clean-tasting” fusion dishes, sushi and robata grills, full of “vibrant flavour”. “It all adds up to a wonderful experience, but with a bill to match!” Top Tips – “fantastic weekend brunch menu, with booze included!” at all branches; and “rocking basement bar” at the Charlotte Street original.
Summary
“Some of the best fusion fare that will pass your lips” – these “always buzzy” and “vibey” Japanese-inspired operations dazzle with their “beauteous robata dishes”, “amazing black cod”, sushi and other “superb Asian dishes”, and even if “the prices are as incredible as the food” it’s “money well spent”. That they are perennially ignored by Michelin is incomprehensible.
Summary
“Exquisite” dishes “bursting with flavour” – be they “sumptuous sushi and sashimi” or “wonderful robata-yaki style BBQ” – are the hallmark of these “cool and vibrant” Japanese-fusion operations. The Charlotte Street original is still the best: “sit at the bar made of slabs of tree trunk and watch the chefs’ delicate preparations!”
Summary
“Stunning” sushi and “exquisite robatayaki” again win acclaim for this venerated and recently-expanded Japanese-fusion group (whose Charlotte Street original is the best of the bunch). Enthusiasm dipped a little this year, however, with gripes that the newer siblings in particular seem more “noisy” and “corporate”.
Restaurant details
Roka Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This restaurant never fails. Each bite of food gets more delicious. I love the atmosphere which is always buzzing. Without doubt my favourite London restaurant. Hahahahaha"
"Arriving in plenty of time for dinner we took ourselves to the shochu lounge which is located in the basement. It’s an excellent place to start the evening and we thoroughly enjoyed grapefruit & bergamot and mango & spices cocktails . Taking our seats upstairs for dinner you join a bit of theatre with the open kitchen and it’s charcoal grills. We started off with a selection of Nigiri accompanied by a very nice Tedori Lady Luck sake. We then moved on to the grill and highlights being the baby back ribs, soft shelled crab and chicken skewers. A very pleasant Yuzu infused sake finished off the evening. Service throughout had got that right balance of attentiveness and relaxed."
"A style of presentation that works and works well. Many courses, many, courses, each only a few pounds, all of them beautifully and freshly cooked. It all adds up to a wonderful meal experience with a bill to match. Black cod dumplings are a triumph."
Opening hours
lunch noon, Sat & Sun 12.30 pm - 3.15 pm, dinner 5.30 pm - 11.15 pm
Last orders: 11.15 pm
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