Sushi Roku Reviews
Reviews from Citysearch
Overall Rating
- Overpriced Bro.
Read More On Citysearch by Bros Can Do Brunch at Citysea 6/22/2011 - I am sushi lover
Read More On Citysearch by LankyLad at Citysearch 10/18/2010 - Best Sushi on WestsideThis place has the best sushi hands down on the Westside, great for dates too. Lots of action and a very cool vibe. Only problem is that it is always so crowded and sometimes have to wait for your table or service.
Read More On Citysearch NormalGuy 10/14/2009 - Pricey Sushi that is sometimes worth it!If money is no object, and you don't mind fighting the crowds for this slickly decorated sushi place, you might have a great, memorable meal here.
Its worth asking the waiters what their favorites are, then checking the price to see if they are not just pushing the most expensive items... there are quite a lot of great, unique choices, so keep asking about them.
I like the atmosphere - you ...
Read More On Citysearch sushipix 9/20/2009 - good foodMy girlfriend took me to sushi roku the other day and I was pretty happy with the sushi and sashimi. It's a little pricey but most great restaurants are. If you love this place you'll most likely enjoy Club Sushi and Sushi Gen.
Read More On Citysearch marquesdayton 3/24/2009 - Excellent fresh fish in high energy environment
The sushi and sashimi is fresh and attractively prepared. The server kept up with our ordering pattern, but seemed a little distracted (overworked?) and it took a few reminders to keep the drinks coming in concert with the food. In general, I would give the thumbs up for taking a date or a small number of guests -- nice interior, very clean, professional service environment without the uptigh...
Read More On Citysearch joegrayson 1/14/2009 - Nice Place but over hyped for what it isIt's in a good location, right on Ocean Blvd and near the Santa Monica theaters and it's a nice classy looking place. But the food is expensive and just ok. It's another over-hyped LA kind of place that ok if your just looking to impress someone and are going to be ok with saying the food was just ok at the end of the meal.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 1/12/2009 - Excellent sushi - always fresh and innovativeThis is one place I take out-of-town friends because it ALWAYS delivers! Consistently fresh sushi and they always have really good "fancy" rolls that are different than anywhere else. I cannot recommend highly enough.
Read More On Citysearch kwhite33 1/9/2009 - Overrated!Sushi Roku is the definition of trendy sushi. The location is great, right on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, however the food was extremely disappointing. The sashimi wasn't as fresh as I expected, the tempura OK, and portion sizes were all very small. Everything but the atmosphere was mediocre at best, specifically the quality of the food and the service. As expected, prices were outrageous and the ...
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 12/7/2008 - Don't bother...really!
Worst sushi of my life!! I wouldn't have minded the $200+ bill if the food was good. Very smushy rice, tough kobe beef, california rolls that tasted like the sushi chef was practicing on me and really, I'm not that hard to please! The Toro was tasteless...I can go on....but you get the message. Go somewhere else. Period.
Read More On Citysearch cathrineann 9/13/2008 - Reservations a Must!Sushi Roku's Santa Monica location (there are also locations in West Hollywood and Pasadena), is on Ocean Blvd. and is always packed full. A great place to people watch and if you are an "out of towner", this is hip place to eat on the Westside.
If you are looking for basic sushi, I can recommend better places, but if you are looking for something a liitle out of the ordinary (both atnosphere ...
Read More On Citysearch jeffrey1966 8/21/2008 - Great Salad and Edamame!While the bar is a bit of a "scene", the service was good and the food was even better!
The view is wonderful and the location is one that will keep you staying around a bit longer than you might otherwise.
The eel is recommended and the ginger salad is tremendously huge and tasty!
Read More On Citysearch DebbieLundberg 7/25/2008 - great experienceMy boyfriend took me to the sushi roku in santa monica last night for our anniversary and we had an amazing time. Although crowded, we were seatede right away, it was still romantic, and the food was awesome. The servers were very friendly and comp'ed our dessert and brought out a flaming light thing with it for our anniversary. I would definitely recommend this place, the food and the servic...
Read More On Citysearch augustchase 7/23/2008 - Trendy sushiThis is a pretty trendy Sushi spot in Santa Monica, but with good reason. They do some really different/interesting rolls, and the sushi is always top quality. There's a really nice feel in the place, and while it is a nicer sushi place it does a good job of balancing between nice and too nice. It's not Nobu, and it's not trying to be, but its still really nice, trendy sushi.
Read More On Citysearch kiercemartin 7/17/2008 - Great FoodEverytime I come to Venice to visit my Brother I just insist on coming here at least one nite.
Great food, Great service, fun place to be
Thanks for being there
Read More On Citysearch LIndaAfromPhoenix 6/17/2008 - Highly Recommended Sushi RestaurantI have been to this restaurant many, many, many times. Whether its weekend afternoons or weekday evenings, I have basically seen this restaurant empty and full. Overall, the menu is a bit overpriced, the drinks are great, but the sushi is absolutely delicious. The interior of the restaurant is presentable and the dim lights make the place seem a bit romantic. The waiters (although not all) are pa...
Read More On Citysearch sgeshti 5/8/2008 - Can't see the attraction.We go out for sushi ALOT. We've heard about Sushi Roku and been wanting to try it. When we got a gift certificate this past Christmas, we went ahead and tried it, though it's not as local as we would want. With the popularity of sushi, we don't have enough time and money to try all the new places and keep going to the ones we already favor that's within 1-3 miles of where we live. Though the...
Read More On Citysearch foodieinlosangeles 3/8/2008 - A lot of HypeHonestly, this restaurant is famous for its posh crowd and fabulous celebrities...and that is probably all it should be known for. The decor is great and the people who work there are all beautiful and fun. However, the service can be slow and the food is sub-par. It is completely over-priced for what you get. Really when you go there, you are paying for the atmosphere, not the food. Also, o...
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 2/22/2008 - Over priced and Over RATEDThis place has a great bar and happy hour sitting right on Ocean Ave. But that is it. You are paying for location.
If you want good sushi regardless of price this place is not the place to go. Tourist trap. There are so many better sushi places in LA that are at the same price. Yamisharo is one in Hollywood Hills is the same price and is around much better quality. Very expensive for the...
Read More On Citysearch rushjc 2/14/2008 - Avoid - Poor quality of sushi and bad serviceSub-par sushi...don't waste your money. My faves on the west side are Echigo and Hide. They have delicious, fresh fish. If you haven't tried them and you love sushi - go there instead in a second. Roku is mediocre at best. Plus, the waitress was snotty. One of those awkward dining experiences where she totally pushed the most expensive dishes on the menu and made me feel cheap for ordering ...
Read More On Citysearch jstan11 2/7/2008 - Overpriced, blah sushiMy fiance and I are on a quest to find our "favorite" sushi restaurant. We happened to be in the West LA area and decided to try out Sushi Roku. My first impression was really good. The decor is beautiful (though in a trendy way). The menu was very dissappointing however. I'm really big on specialty rolls, and there was a definite lack of them on Sushi Roku's menu. Not only that, but the su...
Read More On Citysearch sapphirebaby 1/14/2008 - Awesome Night OutGreat night out at Sushi Roku! My husband and I were out and about in Santa Monica and wanted a low-key dinner to end our night. We felt like sushi but we were a little reluctant to try Sushi Roku because everyone talks about how Hollywood the scene is there. I don?t know where people get that, we had friendly service from the minute we walked in the door and no one cared that we weren?t dress...
Read More On Citysearch jtoadie 10/31/2007 - I dont understand this mentalityWe were 5 people that were walking passing by after dinner and we saw Sushi Roku and wanted to have drinks. Many of the dinner patrons have left since it was past 10.30 pm. Th cute girl at the desk with a smile greeted us. I said that we are five for drinks and the bar was full but there are plenty of tables empty so can we sit at a table? She replied" sorry the tables are only for dining " . I ...
Read More On Citysearch donistheo 10/20/2007 - UPDATE!! My favorite restaurant has a bab named ROBATABAR!!!ok so we have already established that i eat here way too much however, last week my favorite restaurant gave birth to a new mini place right next door. Its called Robatabar and its like the offspring of Roku and Katana. They dont have sushi so i advise you to stop by Roku and get some sushi to go then bring it over to robatabar for skewers and sashimi! You wont be sorry!
See you there, Ill ...
Read More On Citysearch zbean 8/3/2007 - Reliable sushi and a good crowd too.
Read More On Citysearch by BonnieNg at Menuism 8/1/2007 - Fresh and FreshDelicious, good variety to choose from, and a fun, cool vibe. Plus you can walk-off your meal along the cliffs of Santa Monica.
Read More On Citysearch twarkent 6/25/2007 - Average Food, OverratedWe ordered the Beef Wrapped Asparagus, Seared Salmon Belly sashimi, Fresh Water Eel Sushi, Avocado Eel Sushi and Grilled Sea Bass with Halapenos. I love the sashimi but the asparagus and the sushi was average. The Sea Bass was horrible. The fish wasn't fresh and the mashed potato was too salty.
The restaurant itself was overcrowded and noisy by 7.30p. We had a great server who was informative ...
Read More On Citysearch sevter 6/5/2007 - Great Sushi, ServiceAfter reading some negative comments about Sushi Roku I was pleasantly surprised with everything. My boyfriend and I did not have reservations and the hostess said it would take about 30 mins for a table so we opted to sit outside and be seated right away. Our server Jay was amazing and really helpful with certain items on the menu to order such as the soy wrap crab hand roll, to die for! He was...
Read More On Citysearch cavalia 5/18/2007 - Great sushiI dropped in at lunch time and had no problem getting seated. The waitress was friendly and professional. The sushi chefs are nice and will likely strike up a conversation with customers at the bar. The restaurant is pretty and the decor is warm. The spicy tuna and california rolls are very good quality. I thought the price was just right for the quality. I would go again.
Read More On Citysearch vintagew 3/13/2007 - over-ratedThis restaurant is over-rated. My experience there was pretty disappointing. I made reservations for a friday night and they were very strict about not being late. She said that if we arrived more than 10 min late they would give the table away. So we showed up 10 min early and had to WAIT over an HOUR before we got our table! There was no room at the bar to pass time and it looked as if th...
Read More On Citysearch tha_truth 3/10/2007 - Reality CheckThe sushi is good, the cooked selection is very good. The service was ardously slow, uniformed, devastatingly attractive, and simply horrendous. Sushi Roku really disappointed me as I had heard such great things about it. Trendy, hot, chic, cool, blah-blah-blah. The fact of the matter is that the place is filled with attractive people who don't really know much about real sushi. The fish was good...
Read More On Citysearch Godzuki24 3/9/2007 - Trendy place, good food, slow serviceIf you like trendy sushi restaurant then this place might be for you. I've been to a lot of different Japanese restaurants and honestly I was shocked when I saw how expensive the food was. The service was decent but extremely slow! We got there @ 5:00PM so we had to wait 30 minutes by the bar until we can be seated @ the table which is not an issue. However, the place was pretty empty and I j...
Read More On Citysearch z_329 2/27/2007 - Bad service, slow serving mealsWe've been to Sushi Roku in Pasadena and there is no comparison between the two. The one in Pasadena is much nicer and better service. We waited 5 min before we got a menu, then waited another 10 min to take our oders. they brought the sushi roll we ordered (simple shirmp tempura roll) when we were about leaving because we were upset about the slow bad service. Please note that when we were t...
Read More On Citysearch amy1015 12/22/2006 - BEST SUSHI, SLOW SERVICEFOOD & SERVICE: Their premium yellowtail sushi and albacore belly sushi was FANTASTIC! They also have a friendly service but a VERY SLOOOW one. After they sat us down and took our orders of drinks, the waitress never came back until we asked for her. In addition, they brought in our hot food without our bowls of steamed rice. My friend actually had to go and complaint to the manager just so ...
Read More On Citysearch jrizal 12/21/2006 - Hands down, best in LAWhen I go on a date I want to go to Sushi Roku. I am a sushi enthusiast. I was born in LA and have eaten at pretty much every sushi spot in LA. I have yet to find a place that rivals Roku. Now I compare all other places to Roku. It sets the standard. If you aren't big on sushi and just stick to spicy tuna rolls and such, you may not entirely appreciate this place. It's their Sashimi dishes...
Read More On Citysearch biancasmith 11/30/2006 - LOVE THIS PLACE!Great sushi and martinis..sexy vibe..good atmosphere. Favorite place in LA! Go there on a date..go there with friends. The bar area is usually packed. Make a reservation ahead of time!
Read More On Citysearch jennifercalifornia 11/22/2006 - Coolest Sushi Chefs in LAUnless you're with a group, make sure to sit at the sushi counter as the sushi chefs really add to the dining experience. Buy them a beer, or some sake, to enhance the dining experience. These chefs will create you some amazing sashimi treats if you give put them in charge of your order. Trust them!
Read More On Citysearch kizayaro 11/20/2006 - Great Tuna CarpaccioThis restaurant has great signature dishes, and one of them is the tuna carpaccio. It's definitely something I order everytime I go here. The sushi is good, and the prices are decent. The location is great, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. This place gets busy, so I definitely recommend making reservations. I have sat at the sushi bar, and it's very interesting looking at all the bea...
Read More On Citysearch Elischa 11/13/2006 - OverratedSushi Roku ( all locations) is ok. The atmosphere is dark and romantic- but the sushi is just average. You will end up spending a lot for mediocre food. It can accomodate large groups - so it is fun for that. But for quality sushi, go somewhere else.
Read More On Citysearch lucky801 11/6/2006 - All flash, not good sushiStylish clients, to see and to be seen. Food is a big disappointment, especially when it comes to sushi. All the dishes are flashy, meaning it's presented beautifully, but the price is costly for the freshness of sushi you get. It's like getting into a porche only to find the engine is replaced by Ford Torus. Unless you want to take a friend who's clueless about sushi, I wouldn't recommend i...
Read More On Citysearch rockmoto 11/4/2006 - a little too "LA"i also went here with very high expecations and was pretty disapppointed. the music is WAY too loud and my party was smushed into a very small table. the sushi was decent- the spicy tuna roll was almost excellent- but the prices were way too high. probably won't be going back.
Read More On Citysearch cutiekatie 9/18/2006 - Not impressed.I went in to Sushi Roku with high expectations, which is maybe why I was disappointed. We sat in the dining room, but I could barely hear our waiter over the down-beat dance music and all of the other patrons attempting to talk over the music, and subsequently, each other. We asked to be moved out to the patio, which they pleasantly ablidged us. The food was good, but not so good that I felt v...
Read More On Citysearch rikkytikky 8/30/2006 - Entrees better than sushi + rollsWe made reservations for a tuesday night on the patio - which was pleasant. The patio would make a better sunset dining area.
Although our waitress was pretty slow coming around to our table the busboys were extremely attentive.
I liked the ponzu ahi tuna salad and we loved the eggplant - but the sushi and the lobster roll were lacking in taste and quality.
Read More On Citysearch cowgerlie 7/27/2006 - Great Sushi, service and atmosphereI went to Sushi Roku in Santa Monica on a Sat. night with a group of 8. We were seated within 15 minutes of our 9pm reservation and had a very upbeat, attentive waiter. They have a full bar with great mixed drinks and the sushi was really wonderful. They staggered our order so the table didn't get too full and every single person in our party of 8 was very pleased with the food (Rainbow roll, ...
Read More On Citysearch eatinla 7/2/2006 - Going Downhill - FASTI frequented Sushi Roku Pasadena and Santa Monica in the past with happy results a few years ago, but visited again in Los Angeles with anticipation last week and was very DISAPPOINTED! Sushi was not up the level it once was, and the innovation was not very good. I remembered it being much better! We kept ordering things to see if the food was going to be better, but no avail. Service is a bit po...
Read More On Citysearch designpair 4/27/2006 - Bad service, over pricedService was terrible even though there seemed to be a lot of staff. The food was ok at best and the portions were very small. Certainly not worth the prices!!
Read More On Citysearch meeradee 1/17/2006 - Always Busy, Always Expensive
Read More On Citysearch by Chris L. at Judy's Book 8/14/2005 - Ok food, poor service
Read More On Citysearch by Joshua R. at Judy's Book 8/12/2005 - Fresh, fresh, fresh
Read More On Citysearch by Amy B. at Judy's Book 8/5/2005 - TrendyAverage sushi w/great presentation. Crowded, make reservations. Expect an out of work actor as your server, they didn't make it Hollywood and they are not cutting it here either.
Read More On Citysearch natas6 6/26/2005 - Chic isn't synonymous with quality.At my cramped table on the crowded patio, I received small portions of very average sushi for a very inflated price. The restaurant was too dark, loud, and full, the sushi grossly overestimated, and the regular food (like teriyaki chicken and tempura) average. I don't understand why Sushi Roku has such a great name when the sushi they serve is mediocre at best, and the food is overpriced and unin...
Read More On Citysearch eguterbock 6/20/2005 - OverpricedOverpriced and a wanna be...
White waiters walk around normal table adorned with silverware saying japanese like things. You can easily find somewhere in the area with equally good sushi for a much much better price. Hell, you might as well go to White Lotus with these prices.
PROS: Convenient Location, but parking is not easy - hit the garages.
CONS: To expensive
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 6/16/2005 - Great lunch spotSushi Roku has some amazing dishes to offer - their black cod is excellent, and so is their eggplant appetizer. They also have great sushi and this rock shrimp dish. That said, I have found that it is not worth it to try and go there to eat at night. Even with reservations, we waited nearly an hour once just to get a table...the service is much less attentive at night and the atmosphere is not as...
Read More On Citysearch headtrippy 5/3/2005 - User review from CitysearchThis is the best sushi resturant in the area, but it is a little expensive so be aware.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 1/24/2005 - ICKYI was shocked at the terrible sushi and the not-so- bright waitstaff. I would never reccomend this place -- go to Koi or Blowfish if you're looking for fresh fish and a nice ambience
Read More On Citysearch shayshu 1/19/2005 - Very disappointingSushi Roku is all glitz and no substance-- a beautiful space with running water and good lighting makes it great for dinner for two. Loud acoustics and just awful sushi makes it better to just say no. I'm not even kidding-- the sushi I was served here was really bad. And it's pretty expensive to boot.
Read More On Citysearch westsideguy 1/7/2005 - Some of the best sushi in town!I'm new to LA, so I haven't been to all the sushi spots yet... but I've been to enough to know that this has to be one of the best! Everything from the appetizers to the sake exceeded my expectations. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants, preferring the smaller "holes in the wall" that have the owner's exclusive attention, but Sushi Roku is the exception to that rule. Great decor, very friendly...
Read More On Citysearch tauro 11/27/2004 - great!I was new to omakase but figured that it would be cool to give it a whirl. After my experience at Sushi Roku, I love omakase and it was a great introduction to omakase. the pieces were well-crafted and succulent. Also, each dish had a different flavor and I devoured every plate. It wasn't that expensive for omakase either--$80 per person I believe.
Another plus-I heard that celebs such as...
Read More On Citysearch yukyee69 10/29/2004 - User review from CitysearchTrendy place good for stargazing!
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 10/25/2004 - Good for dates...I went there on a date and I think it was the perfect place..the decor is elegant and the candle light makes it chic and romantic.The sushi was one of the best I ever tried and the best was the eggplant appetizer (try it!) Make reservations and if you are not promptly seated seat at the bar and order a glass of wine which will prepare you for the sake later on..Ask to be seated inside if you enjo...
Read More On Citysearch patatina 4/2/2004 - sushi roku santa monicaWhile on vacation, we had dinner at this sushi bar, what a wonderful experience! The waiters and the chef at the sushi bar were the BEST. We are new to "sushi" and always treat ourselves wherever we travel, and this was the best!! The food was the best, the waiters,most helpful and so accomodating, and as an added surprise , dined with Cindy Crawford and family for son Presleys birthday at the b...
Read More On Citysearch s43046 1/14/2004 - You get what you pay forThis place has all the trappings of a hip sushi joint. The decor and staff are young and fresh, and the bar is close and inviting, always a lot of socializing. Overall, the menu is excellent, although pricy compared to other fine sushi restaurants. If you like frequenting Santa Monica, the pier, the Promenade and all the people-watching, you can't miss with this place!
Read More On Citysearch jetsetmann 9/21/2003 - Delish!I love this place! The sushi is outstanding! The Toro, like "budda"! The chefs are awesome & the service is attentive, amidst a tranquil & classy environment. Have always had great experiences at any Sushi Roku I've been to. The Santa Monica location is fantastic as it is always nice to take a romantic stroll down the beach or to the pier afterwards. The prices are on the high side, but wel...
Read More On Citysearch c22forever 8/1/2003 - Reservations no goodEven tho I had 8:30 reservations for 5 people, we weren't seated until an hour later. There were no apologies, it was as if just being a hip place was excuse enough. Sushi was delish tho.
Read More On Citysearch heymabel 7/8/2003 - Top west side sushiSpectacular dining event! Always great service with even better food. The sushi is fairly standard. Stick to the specials and you cant miss. Deref to the waiters to make resomendations if you have never been, they will not steer you wrong. Memorable: Albacore Sushi, Baked Lobster Roll, Yellowtail sashimi w/ jalapenos, filet mignon wrapped asparagus.
Valet parking is on Ocean, (not Santa Mo...
Read More On Citysearch tremens64 1/24/2003 - Effiecient ServiceWalked in to this "Great" place with no reservation at about 9:45pm on Friday Night. We were "pleasantly" greeted by the hostess. Told her that we are a party of 3 and have no reservations. She was very nice and happened to have a table available immediately in the dining room. We were quickly seated and quite pleased with the efficiency. Great Sushi, Excellent Ambiance and Quick Service. S...
Read More On Citysearch Brown999 11/30/2002 - Great ambience and bar sceneAfter being dissapointed with the food quality at Katana (Roku's other restaurant on Sunset) I tried the Hollywood Sushi Roku. I didn't have a reseravtion and had to wait 45 minutes, but drank sake with three friends. One was from out-of-state and got to see Brad Pitt, which made her night. The three girls at the front desk were friendly and funny, and looked like models--a cute australian and a ...
Read More On Citysearch moulin57 10/30/2002 - Tied Best of TripWe happened in to Sushi Roku as a local suit recommended it and said it was trendy. This was Tuesday late lunch. Immediate seating in a delightful atrium. Unbelievably good spicy tuna sushi and another special garlic soaked something. Chocolate Volcano dessert not too heavy and full of flavor. Great service.
Read More On Citysearch wpalme00 7/20/2002 - Best Sushi on the WestsideSushi Roku continues to have best fish and service. We do try other restaurants, but always come back to our favorite. Outstanding Toro and excellent specials.
Read More On Citysearch jsamplin 6/22/2002 - Bad vibes & too much attitude!If you don't make a reservation don't bother. The hostess told us it was a 1/2 hour wait, but we didn't get seated at a "table" for 1 1/2 hours....they tried to seat us at the sushi bar. When we finally were seated the server forgot about us and didn't even take our order for another 1/2 hour. The bartenders were not much better. This place is low on service and very big on LA attitude!
Read More On Citysearch viv12 6/17/2002 - more for less the wrong wayGiving this joint the benefit of friend's recommendations i trudged back to the roku and to my surprise i actually spent more money than before and got even less of a dining experience - the portions were actually smaller and the cuts left MUCH to be desired - but - the bar was crowded and seemed very cheerful in there - perhaps it would be a much better bar than restaurant...
Read More On Citysearch ta 6/7/2002 - They brought the attitude from SunsetReally great sushi, really expensive, and chart-topping Hollywood venality add up to a net neutral. Wouldn't wait for a table here too long.
Read More On Citysearch jccowboy 5/23/2002 - Good scene, decent fareA pricy sushi joint where you pay more for the scene than the food. The sushi/sashimi is good but not worth the extra cash compared to lesser-known local sushi spots. This is a great place to kick off an evening on the town.
Read More On Citysearch BObermiller_Citysearch 5/21/2002
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