Tom's Foodie Blog Bringing Together Foodies & Good Food
Sushi Roku is the Fleming’s Steakhouse for Sushi
Gucci swagging, Bently rolling, and blue fin tuna muchin…it is just another day in Newport Beach. The recent opening of Sushi Roku is the newest high-end eating establishment in Newport Beach and this may be on the better fine dining restaurants in Orange County.
Sushi Roku Exterior Day
327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach at the Fashion Island Shopping center.
Most folks will not blink an eye at paying top dollar for fancy steaks. Sushi Roku is the Fleming’s Steakhouse for Sushi. If you are taking your lady out for a hot date, I recommend sushi over steak. Fresh fish will make her feeling svelt, instead of desiring baggy flannel pajamas. Just saying!
Sushi Roku Blue Fin nigiri
Sushi Roku has five other restaurants and have developed a solid reputation for fresh sushi and modern spins on classic Japanese preparations. Newport Beach is their newest store and joins the ranks of Hollywood, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Scottsdale.
What makes Sushi Roku Awesome
I was extremely impressed with Sushi Roku, both in terms of food and service. The fish is hand selected at the fish market every morning. Only the best fish are selected and prepared for customers. The result is some of the freshest sushi I have ever eaten.
Yes Please Another!
The menu is heavy on the appetizer side, almost like sushi tapas. With that said, there are several larger format items. Sushi Roku excels at the nigiri and sashimi, but they are also great at their hot and cold plates.
Sushi Roku Tuna and Beet Carpacio Close Up
Executive Sushi chef Hiroshi Shima, a classically trained Sushi Chef.He takes influences from California and non-traditional ingredients such as truffles and event Italian cheese!
Sushi Roku Sushi Bar 2
Dining Space
The Sushi Roku dining space reminds me of a super swanky Las Vegas Lounge, hip, sexy and a modern. The restaurant has 129 seats dining room and a semi-intimate 16- seat sushi bar. The patio also features an open air 40 seat patio.
Sushi Roku Interior
The space is modern swanky with Japanese influence adornments from lantern shape chandeliers, stained oak slat ceiling, faux bamboo forest walls, and a open air floor plan. If the music was pumping louder and the dresses got skimpier, this would be a Vegas lounge.
My Top Food Picks at Sushi Roku
Fluke Kumquat Sashimi
The Fluke Kumquat Sashimi is simple, but complex in flavor. Fluke is a very mild creamy white fish that serves as a canvas for the sweet astringency of the kumquat, earthy saltiness of black truffle sea salt, and floral citrus of the Yuzu vinaigrette. The full portion comes with 6 pieces for $18.
Sushi Roku Fluke Appetizer
Blue Crab Tartare
The blue crab tar tare is a study of sweet simplicity and rich indulgence. Blue crab is served, with Uni (sea urchin ) and caviar. The dish is blended tableside. Each bite is a flavor medley of sweet, rich umami, and salty. Pictures below is a sample size portion, the full appetizer is priced at $32. Like a Baller!
Sushi Roku Blue Crab Appetizer
Tuna Tartare
This dish is great for anyone who likes creamy poke. The tartare is served deconstructed with big eye tuna chunks in a soy truffle sauce, yuzu flavored guacamole, and shaved white truffle. Mix it up all together and savor each bite. $24
Sushi Roku Tuna Tartare (sample portion)
Yellowtail Diced Chilies
An interesting name for a showcase of Yellowtail sashimi. The thin sliced yellow tail is coated in olive oil, drizzled with ponzu and topped with finely chopped green and red chilies.
On first bite, the acidic olive oil pops and pushes the flavor of the yellowtail to the forefront of the palate. The flavor of the seeded chilies adds a secondary flavor melody. $18
Sushi Roku Dished Chilies
Tuna and Beet Carpaccio
This dish is a fusion dish between your favorite Napa Valley Beet salad and tuna carpaccio. The dish is made with thin slices of big eye tuna and red, rainbow and yellow beets.
It is topped with yuzu miso and feta cheese. This is a light summer dish that is easy to eat. $19
Sushi Roku Tuna and Beet Carpacio
“Hanabi”
In Japanese, “Hanabi” means fireworks and this dish has the pow and crunch to live up the name. The hanabi has a deep fried sushi rice topped with spicy tuna.
The rice is crispy on the tongue and blends to creamy spice from the tuna. This is a rock star piece of sushi. $15
Sushi Roku Crispy Spicy Tuna
Sushi Roku Crispy Spicy Tuna cut open. This dish is hard to savor because you just want to shove the whole thing in your mouth.
Braised Short Ribs
For anyone who reads my blog often know that I hate eating shortribs. With that said, Iend up ordering it often hoping that I find a preparation that I like. Sushi Roku nailed it.
Their short ribs are braised in garlic, ginger, cinnamon, five spice, miso, and some secret ingredients that I swore on my first born not to share. Yes it was that good! This accolade comes from the serial shortrib hater. $17
Sushi Roku Braised Short Ribs
A-5 Japanese Wagyu Beef
My life was complete after eating this dish. Waygu beef comes from very spoiled cows who receive a decadent diet to encourage maximum marbling of their meat.
This A5 Waygu is one of the highest quality steaks on the market and is the meat version of butter
Served on a sizzling hot stone, the smell of fatty beef wafted in the air. Nearby tables stopped to stare like pound dogs! At $64, this dish would be better labeled the “Panty Dropper”, order it on a date… 
just kidding..perhaps 😉
Sushi Roku A-5 Japanese Wagyu Beef “Toban-yaki”
Filet Fois Gras Asparagus Robata Skewers
Hell Yeah! Thats what I said when the dish came out. These cluster bomb of meat exploded on first bite! Strips of filet mignon are wrapped around asparagus and fois gras.
If you like rich meat dishes, order this…trust me.
Sushi Roku Katabas Robata Skewers 2
Sushi
Although the other dishes were fantastic, Sushi Roku does nigiri best. Why? The fish is extremely fresh and the sushi chef treats each piece of nigiri like an art piece.
On my first bite of the salmon, I knew this fish was special. Here are some nigiri that I ordered:
- Yellowtail (Hamachi) Silky fine flavor with a hint of glaze and green onions $7.5
- Blue Fin (Toro) The A5 Waygu of the sushi world, marbled with creamy fat and melts in your mouth $18
- Salmon (Sake) was rich and fatty, brushed with a sauce and topped with a ginger slice? The result was happiness. $7
- King Crab nigiri with Champagne Butter Sauce. This is a great example of traditional sushi being fused with European technique. The steamy hot crab nigiri is served with a French style campaign butter sauce. Don’t judge me, I drank the leftover sauce straight from the ramekin.
- King Crab rolls with soy paper – Simple preparation of sweet king crab, that accentuates it’s natural flavors.
Sushi Roku Nigiri Sushi
Smores
For dessert we ordered the smores, which comes to the table served with your own mini bonfire. Marshmallows, milk chocolate and white chocolate coated with green tean powder are served with a pile grahm crackers.
Sushi Roku Smores
On the side, sweet condensed milk is provided for dipping.
My advise, melt your chocolate slightly, then toast the marshmallow for maximum melt.
My Final Thoughts about Sushi Roku
Sushi Roku has been open since June 1st. Although the service and food were so good, it feels like they have been open for years. On both visits, our server knew the menu like she was the chef and was anticipatory of your needs.
During both visits, the food was high quality and executed perfectly. Sushi Roku is the new must try restaurant in the Newport Beach area. You will be rewarded with amazing sushi. Just don’t forget that it is a fine dining restaurant, so your perfect sushi experience with come at a Pri$e.
I had two good experiences, so Tom’s Foodie Blog highly recommends Sushi Roku. How was your experience? Let me know, good or bad leave a message in the comment below.
Sushi Roku Exterior Sign Night
Sushi Roku Information
Instagram & Twitter: @sushiroku
One comment
Pingback: Event - To Live and Dine Orange County 08/13/2015