Sushi Roku Santa Monica   

1401 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-4771
www.sushiroku.com

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A striking yet harmonious blend of wood, bamboo and chiseled stone, Sushi Roku can feel at times like a Japanese tea garden, and at times like a Narita airport terminal. The gurgling fountains and Zen decor battle the bustle of constant foot traffic like primordial forces locked in some eternal conflict, but if you can get in (reservations are tough, especially on weekends), the payoff is worth it. Sushi Roku's fish is among the freshest around, and prepared in nouveau styles that border on the avant-garde. Try the salmon-wrapped and caviar-crowned monkfish pate, as an example, or the pan-roasted lobster with shrimp and scallops in garlic peppercorn. A la carte sushi offerings include the usual assortment of maguro, hamachi and sake (tuna, yellowtail and salmon, for the uninitiated), and appetizers range from warm edamame to sauteed sesame gobo. Sweet conceits such as the Tokyo lemon drop and cantaloupe martini can make the wait seem short and slowly seduce you into Roku's swinging bar scene, which is jam-packed with singles and couples alike most of the week. Specially priced packages and menus for special events make it a nice pick for New Year's Eve or other occasions. With a chorus of chefs welcoming you with a rousing "Irashaimase!" Sushi Roku revels in its hospitality and earns its place as one of LA's outstanding sushi destinations.