ROKU Sunset was hot hot hot this past weekend as the Grand Opening had the paparazzi flashing outside while the hip Hollywood scene just kept pouring in with every room and side bar packed with the gorgeous crowd sipping signature cocktails and noshing on sensual sushi, AND the sushi has seriously upped its game. Every bite we tried was not how we remembered sushi from Sushi Roku; it was just better! From the grilling stations (think Benihana) offering fried seafood rice or tuna tartar expertly wrapped in a seaweed taco, we could not get enough, especially the sushi bar offering buttery melt-in-your-mouth tuna and salmon sashimi. Appetizers kept the cocktail crowd satisfied while party-goers could take fun moving pics in the photo booth area or just slink off down the hall to Blind Dragon, another sexy Hollywood hotspot attached offering private karaoke rooms.
We ran into about 20 people we haven’t seen in a long time, so the grand opening proved to be even more grand. A side cocktail room with all exposed brick offered a different feel and intimate escape, where we saw Bruce Jenner aka Caitlyn Jenner. A bevy of entertainment Angelenos showed up like Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Ed Westwick, Adrienne Maloof, Alexis Knapp, Ryan Cabrera, Brittany Gastineau, GG Golnesa from SHAH’s of Sunset, Miguel Angel Silvrestre, Josh Henderson, The Real’s Jeannie Mai, and Kep Motsepe.
What you can expect at this gorgeous new space?Teppan chefs prepare A-5 Japanese Wagyu, Matsuzaka beef, Santa Barbara spot prawns and other high-quality ingredients at interactive grill tables. ROKU’s menu offers new style appetizers, inventive entrees and select favorites from the iconic Sushi Roku brand alongside a vast selection of handpicked sakes, crafted cocktails and the largest selection of Japanese whiskey in the LA culinary scene.
Later, that evening stuffed with sushi and Japanese style saki mules we bumped into Brooke Burke and her husband on the way out. Innovative Dining Group’s newest restaurant on the Sunset strip is sure to stick around with the scene-y, saucy, sexy ambiance and the Angeleno that wants delicious Japanese food in a whirlwind of Cool.
9201 Sunset Blvd. (Sunset Hills Rd.)
West Hollywood, CA 90069
lalascoop.com 