Rok Sushi Kitchen, Hermosa Beach

ROK Sushi Kitchen is Hermosa Beach, California’s newest and freshest Japanese fusion restaurant, located on Hermosa Venue at the Hermosa Pier. Come experience their fusion of traditional sushi with California kitchen cuisine. Enjoy fresh grilled fish, chicken, shrimp, or their traditional sushi bar featuring fish fresh from the dock. Rok’s full-service bar taps the talents of top mixologists for a drink menu of martinis and cocktails created with only the freshest fruits and vegetables.

First and foremost ROK Sushi Kitchen is all about seafood. The restaurant proudly features the highest quality and freshest fish available, always prepared to perfection. This unwavering commitment to excellence has created an intensely loyal customer base that I am sure will continue to grow. Stay into the night to enjoy their DJ and uniquely delicious cocktails. Visit the second floor VIP lounge offering bottle service; sit back and enjoy the “high life” while watching the scene below through their frameless glass railing. Groups of 25-40 people will find their beautifully designed mezzanine provides an excellent venue for private parties and special events.

Owners Michael and Patricia Buchanan are also owners of Mama D’s restaurant. Both are successful entrepreneurs with experience in the restaurant business as well as in the insurance and retails store field. Patricia brings some of her favorite dishes, her keen business sense, her flair for decorating and her taste for fresh flavors. We truly enjoyed our amazing dinner at ROK Sushi Kitchen and hope you all will have the opportunity to try the most delicious Japanese culinary in Hermosa Beach.

As my friends and I arrive at ROK Sushi Kitchen in the early evening on this particular Saturday, we parked the car on the bustling street of Pier Avenue. We pass a few local bars and small shops until we reach our destination. ROK Sushi Kitchen is certainly the most fascinating restaurant in the area . As we enter the cozy, intimately
lit dining room, we are instantly overcome with a sense of comfort and excitement. There is a charming bar where you can spot a beautiful crowd of locals. The
overall feel of the charming dining room is very energetic. This restaurant has
been recently opened, I can’t help but feel a sense of joy as I realize that ROK
Sushi Kitchen has gained much support and love from the community. The large
bay windows, hardwood floors, high ceilings and wood tables create
a pleasant ambience as crowds gather throughout the night.

The bar fills up with waiting patrons, indulging in anything from beer and premium well drinks to, of course, hot and cold sake. There really isn't any dancing--it's more about meeting and greeting new friends and enjoy the best sushi in town.

After being seated at a table at the far end of the dining room, I am instantly hit with appetizing aromas coming from the kitchen. Our waiter quickly send us over the most delicious Miso soup and some spicy warm Edamame. After a quick glance at the menu I first notice the wide selection of appetizers, specials, sushi, sashimi, signature rolls and specialty rolls, many of which are created by 3 chefs; Executive Chef
John Skaropoulos, Executive Chef in Kitchen Ramiro Soto and Executive
Sushi Chef Felipe, who brings to ROK Sushi more than 18 years
of experience managing and cooking at sushi restaurants.

With a more thorough investigation of the menu I realize the difficulty in choosing my meal selections. There is wide array of classic rolls, sashimi, sushi and entrees including meats, fish and pasta, also kids menu available and of course desserts. We are greeted by our helpful server; Matthew Short, my guests decide to start his meal with a refreshing ROK-Me-Rita. This is a drink that all of you guys will love it; consists
of Casadores Anejo tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, Agave syrup, finished
with a float of Grand Marnier. All of the flavors work well together and
are rounded out by the creaminess of the Marnier, making this a
refreshing start to anticipate your meal. The rest of us are not big
drinkers, so we had Pelegrino sparkling water.

I was still pondering my dinner when Matthew arrives with the most stunning selection of the Executive Sushi Chef Felipe -- something that Chef Felipe, I heard, regularly offer his customers as an ideal way to sample his fresh fish creations. So, the appetizers plate consisted of Crab and Mozzarella Tempura with tempura sauce,
Soft Shell Crab Tempura served with siracha chili sauce, Lobster Tempura and assorted veggie with a spicy citrus sauce, and Steak skewers. The silky texture
of the Crab and Mozzarella melts slowly in my mouth, while the tartness of the
sauce that bathes the crisp tempura texture excites my taste buds adding extra
crunch with every bite. The Crab and Lobster Tempura were also delicious
and the Steak was so tender and done to perfection. Before we know
it we have cleaned the plates and find us eager to move on to
our next selection that again, surprised us.

We could not pass without trying of their signature salads; Tropical Ahi Salad with sesame crusted seared Ahi served on a bed of fresh spring greens with avocado, mango, cherry tomatoes, jicama topped with roasted macadamia nuts and
crisp onions in a tropical balsamic vinaigrette. The citrusy burst of the
sauce adds another dimension to the already complex flavors
of this so simple but delicious fresh salad.

From the Sushi menu, I must say that they were all fantastic in flavor, taste and presentation. Among many other items we tried, I recommend the following: Crab sushi, Yellowtail, Crab sashimi, and Tuna Tartar. From the Specialty Rolls, we tasted the delicious Bruce Lee which consists of a California roll outside with baked scallops, masago, smelt eggs, spicy mayo and eel sauce, it is truly a delicious roll. Also don’t miss the ROK N Roll which is not only gorgeous but a roll that I call “out of this world”; prepared with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, crab, whitefish, avocado in a tempura style and topped with eel sauce, this roll was one of my favorites! The W.F.O. roll was also delicious and a great choice, made with spicy tuna, crab, avocado, shrimp tempura wrapped in cucumber topped with eel sauce. For the last round of entrées, we were again, surprised and the pleasure of trying some of their special pastas;
the Shrimp Diablo with penne tossed in a spicy cream sauce garnished with crispy tortilla strips and fresh parmesan, the Salmon Bowtie pasta tossed in a pick
sauce and topped with baked salmon and fresh parmesan, and the Lobster
Crab Ravioli, served in a creamy sauce topped with fresh parmesan.
Also tried their most amazing side: the Portobello mushrooms.

To our surprise, while our server boxes up our minimal leftovers, Chef Ramiro Soto sends out some complimentary dessert s—2 of their delicious pies; the ROK Pumpkin pie with homemade pecan crust, served with fresh whipped cream and the Chocolate Peanut Butter pie with homemade cookie crust, served with a generous scoop of Vanilla ice cream. The floral notes in the creamy vanilla ice cream cleanse my
palate, and signals that our eating adventure has finally come to an end.

Suddenly I noticed there are customers lined up behind the restaurant eagerly waiting for a table and I finally understand why. With a satisfied stomach we all get up to go home, but not before we thanked our amazing hostess, server and the generous owners; Michael and Patricia Buchanan who kindly invited us
over for this amazing and unforgettable diner.

www.roksushikitchen.com

For map and location click Here!

For more information please visit their website at www.roksushikitchen.com

Today is: Tuesday, April 23, 2024