Review on Roka
Having scored at hit with Zuma in Knightsbridge, Rainer Becker moved up town for his new venture occupying a prime corner site in restaurant-gorged Charlotte Street. Floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines and blond timber typify the interior, with the focus on a central 'robata' grill (it means 'cooking with open flames').
Like its elder brother, Roka specialises in high-class modern Japanese food and small plates (often intended for sharing), but with a potentially large bill at the end of it all.
The robata delivers things like ribeye beef topped with miso paste or quail marinated in plum wine and red miso. Elsewhere there are traditional Japanese classics including sensational sashimi, ko nasu (aubergine with minced ginger, soy and mirin) and tempura of crispy rock shrimps, plus dishes from further afield (sushi rolls filled with Korean roast pork loin with chilli-spiked cabbage, and hot-pots of sticky rice with all manner of interesting tit-bits, for example). To finish, there are exotica such as banana with green-tea baked cream and tonka bean ice cream.
In the basement is the buzzy Shochu Lounge where you can sample Japan's answer to vodka in countless varieties and flavours.
Roka is also featured in: Michelin Guide, Good Food Guide, Hardens, AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Japanese
Chef
Nicholas Watt
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.30pm (12.30 - 4.00pm Sat-Sun)
Dinner: 5.30 - 11.30pm (10.30pm Sun)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express