Happy Hour 2.0 - Sushi Roku, West Hollywood

Archive

February '11

Best Happy Hours for Singles

Best Daily Happy Hours

January '11

Best Sushi Bar Happy Hours

Best Tequila Bar Happy Hours

December '10

Best Happy Hours for Microbrews

November '10

"Katsu!"

October '10

"Los Angeles' Wine Bar Happy Hours"

"Best Rum Happy Hours in LA"

September '10

"Los Angeles' Sexiest Happy Hours"

July '10

"WELCOME"

"The Happiest Tradition"

"Best Happy Hours in West Hollywood"

June '10

"There's More Than Booze in Bouzy"

"LA's Longest Happy Hours"

"The Secret is Out: Happy Hours at LA's Speakeasies"

April '10

"Classic LA Happy Hours"

Last October, Sushi Roku on 3rd St. in West Hollywood re-emerged as Sushi Roku 2.0. Hmmm…2.0, you say? Well, if it’s a step up from the previous version, I can hardly wait to see if their happy hour can boast a 2win title. Curiosity piqued and appetite athirst, I picked up my friend and we headed to this sushi sanctuary.

The hostess welcomed us with a friendly hello, and then quickly directed us to the bar area for the ritual happy hour, which is offered Monday through Friday, from 5 – 7pm. The new bar was beautiful, with dark wood and flickering candles. At the bartender’s suggestion, I ordered a “Roku Fusion Cocktail,” a house specialty made of vodka, pineapple, watermelon and cantaloupe. I tasted a tropical waterfall spiked with pleasure, and I'm hooked. Sake, plum wine, beer and a Fuji Apple martini grace the menu as well, and are offered at $4 and $5…music to my mouth.

Moments later, I responded to what I thought was my friend’s mumbling, only to discover the sounds were actually coming from my own stomach. Let the eating commence! We scanned the menu and ordered almost everything; nothing is over $6. My friend ordered a simple California and spicy tuna roll, as well as her favorite “hanabi.” For those of you who, like my friend, enjoy this dish of spicy tuna on grilled rice cakes – this hanabi is some of the best in town. The hint of sesame oil and sriracha nestled inside fresh minced tuna made our toes curl with delight. Next we tried the recently added duet of 2.0 Albacore tacos, which are kissed with a yuzu guacamole and house-made salsa. It just keeps on getting better.

I needed a break from the eating festivities, so I wandered around the restaurant to examine the rest of the aesthetic remedies. Overall, the dining area and sushi bar maintain their original integrity, but there are a handful of upgraded accents. The northeast wall now displays a 3-D style bonsai-art constructed by artist Stephen McSwain, and tucked away near the back of the restaurant is a private dining room showcasing a gorgeous lighting fixture that resembles a life-size origami creation.

A manager stopped by to see check on our eating experience, and mentioned that the new 2.0 Roku has added a Robata-yaki, or “open–f lame grill,” in the kitchen. We must try the trio of grilled skewers – chicken, shrimp and mushroom – immediately. The skewers, which were tender and slightly smoky, were a special surprise for us.

At this point, our tummy tanks were nearing full, but we were determined to go one last round with a final dish of popcorn shrimp tempura. As for this dish, the satisfied grin from my friend said it all. The shrimp were lightly battered, still warm, and were bathed in a semi-sweet and slightly spicy cream sauce.

As we left, I paused in the doorway of the secret garden style patio and realized I had a strong desire to take the next step at Sushi Roku – “the real dining experience.” This place left quite a favorable impression on me, and I will undoubtedly be back to try their new salmon carpaccio with shaved black truffles. It’s not on the happy hour menu, but it’s definitely on my mind.