Charlie T.
Yelp
After watching a documentary movie about the legendary Japanese chef Nobu, I suddenly craved some American-influenced sushi, and Sushi Roku came to mind, as I had noticed their restaurant while visiting Las Vegas and have heard a lot about their Pasadena location.
Nobu so far still remains my top choice when it comes to trendy, American-influenced Japanese cuisine, as I have had great experiences at their original Beverly Hills location and their weekend brunch buffet. Still, I was curious to see how Sushi Roku would compare.
Since I know that American style sushi targets a very different clientele from traditional Japanese sushi or omakase, I went in with an open mind and adjusted expectations accordingly.
I made a reservation and visited on a weekend afternoon. We were seated quickly. The restaurant wasn't too busy, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Service was prompt, though one of the cocktails we ordered turned out to be unavailable that day, a small disappointment, and it turned out to be a sign of a less-than-satisfying dining experience, especially since the cocktail we wanted was featured all over Yelp photos, that was actually one of the main reasons I decided to visit, but unfortunately, it wasn't available.
The sashimi appetizer was just okay, as the fish slices were so thin that there wasn't much flavor and texture from the fish itself, with most of the taste coming from the oil and sauce.
The sushi set didn't stand out either. The sushi rice was not cooked and prepared well. While the nigiri looked decent, the freshness of the fish wasn't at the premium level you'd expect for the price.
The chirashi bowl was even more disappointing. Poor variety and thin slices of fish, and the same tasteless sushi rice. I would definitely suggest skipping that dish and perhaps trying a sushi roll or a cooked item instead. Surprisingly, the fried rice was actually not bad.
In my opinion, the best way to enjoy Sushi Roku is to treat it more like an izakaya style restaurant, even though it presents itself as a sushi place.
Overall, food quality is the foundation of any successful restaurant brand, and while Sushi Roku may have enjoyed its glory days in the past, competition today is much stronger in the same price range. I might return for a drink and some light bites considering its prime location and great dining environment and service, but it's not a place I'd spend too much on for the sushi itself.
I am hoping Sushi Roku Pasadena can be improved soon, even if it doesn't quite achieve the sophistication of its more famous peers, but it still has the potential to be a better sushi restaurant again.