Zu Robata
Published by foodette August 7th, 2007 in Japanese, Los Angeles, Restaurant Reviews, Sushi, West LA.
My husband has many valuable skills: bug killer, trash taker-outer, dish washer, and a newly discovered skill: new sushi restaurant finder. It was last week that he decided to utilize this skill by taking me to Zu Robata, which opened just a couple of months ago.
We arrived late - 9pm on Thursday - and there were only two other parties seated. Despite being empty, I loved the decor and atmosphere of the place. It’s dark, loungy, and swanky. My favorite element was the wall of ShÅchÅ«, a Japanese liquor similar to vodka, infused with fruit (see my picture below…for a picture in daylight, read Tuna Toast’s review). I desperately wanted to try it, but seeing as it was so late on a work night, I went with my typical sake instead. I do plan on going back to have a sample, though. My husband was excited when he learned they had Sapporo on tap, but unfortunately it was watered down and tasted more like Miller Lite than anything else. The very nice bartender offered to swap it out for him, and he chose Kirin Black, in the bottle - basically Japanese Guinness. He was much happier with this choice.
The wait staff, in general, were all very nice and helpful. My only problem was that our entire order came out at one time. I am talking, the table was overflowing with miso, edemame, sashimi…this is really a pet peeve of mine. I want my order well spaced. First, it’s imperative to start with soup, then edemame, then appetizers, then sashimi. Even though I found this frustrating, I will chalk it up to us arriving so late. I am more than willing to go back another time and see if the pacing is better.
Now, onto the food. Zu Robata is going for a tapas style of infusion sushi. They keep everything on small plates - perfect to share with one other person - but they don’t have a lot of traditional fare. Still, my husband and I (ever the sushi traditionalists) were able to pick our way through the menu, finding we liked everything we chose.
The miso soup was very good, in both flavor and size. It was one of the larger bowls of miso I have been served, and the broth was a light amber color, signifying a rich, stock base. The edemame was simple, with a nice covering of visible sea salt. My favorite item that we ordered was the steamed spinach appetizer, normally known as gomae. While it had the typical sesame flavor of gomae, this spinach also had what tasted like a peanut and tahini sauce with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds. It was truly delicious. I could have probably eaten three orders of this on my own. Our two orders of sashimi were also wonderful. We had the albacore and salmon - both were in ponzu with onions and garlic. I enjoyed the albacore a bit more than I enjoyed the salmon, because I felt that the salmon was cut a bit on the thick side. Still, they both had incredible flavor. Our final item for dinner was the spicy tuna roll - or Zu Robata’s take on it. It was actually a regular tuna roll with a dollop of spicy mayo on each piece. It was pretty good and very spicy.
We decided to do something we don’t normally do at sushi restaurants, and we ordered dessert! I am so glad we did. We went with the chocolate mousse with cream cheese and raspberry sorbet. It was a sensory treat - I would have taken a picture, but I think we ate the whole thing before I could get my camera out! The dessert consisted of a small cup of mousse with chocolate shavings, and a layered scoop of both sorbets, covered in a chocolate shell, and then cut in half. This all lay on a large white plate, drizzled with raspberry and caramel sauces, sliced strawberries, and a tall sugar decoration. And yes, I ate the sugar decoration.
Zu Robata is a fun, trendy restaurant with a fusion take on sushi. In this way, it reminded me quite a bit of Katsuya, but without the inflated prices and “see and be scene” attitude. Actually, the prices were quite reasonable. As I said, my husband and I definitely plan on going back, hopefully earlier in the night so we can see what it’s like when the place is full.
Zu Robata is located in West LA at 12217 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 571-1920
Note: They serve metal chopsticks! They take some getting used to, but it’s nice knowing you’re not killing a tree to eat your sushi.
Great review! I can almost visualize the interiors and the food (especially the dessert you didn’t photograph). Sounds like an interesting place. During my trip to Tokyo earlier this year, I was so intent on trying out varieties of Sake that I didn’t get to try Shochu. Shochu seems very popular in Korea too.
Thanks, Shantanu! You are right about Shochu - I believe it was originally created in Korea with the spelling of Soju.
Zu Robata’s fabulous chef owner, Ricardo Zarate, is from Peru and also developed his skills at a top Japanese restaurant in London.
Tapas Japanese fusion - unusual, creative, a bit spicy - we’re going back for more. We recommend the omakase course for $50. Ordering enough small plates a la carte to make a meal will run more. We were impressed with the salt they use on their edamame. The scallops with uni sauce are exceptional. The oysters and black cod saikyo preparation unusual and excellent. I agree with you about the spinach gomae - best I’ve had. Very nice decor and music.
I don’t know if they still have that issue with bringing things too fast. I have faced this issue with other retaurants and I agree it is very annoying. Ordering the “omakase” (leave it to the chef course) solves that - they are very careful about bringing it out in the order it should be tasted.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your comment - I didn’t realize their omakase was only $50 - what a deal! When they mentioned it to us, they said it was enough for two. The only thing that stopped us is my husband can be picky, and he has a fear of allowing the chef to make his decisions. I, however, have no such fear. I will try to convince him to go with the omakase next time we go. We will get a side of gomea, though, either way.
Thanks for your tips!
Sweet post.
I guess you’ll check out my site..
Thank You Again
I would add… It’s sophisticated, it’s classy & it has the extraordinary flavors of Japan! Having lived in Tokyo, Japan at one time & loving the cuisine I couldn’t resist trying Zu Robata. Thoughts that came to mind as I entered the restaurant were: classy, upscale & serene. It has a breath taking wall beautifully designed utilizing the numerous Shoju Flavors (Japanese infused vodka) they serve. We were greeted by the hostess (pleasant) & a charming gentleman who welcomed us & introduced himself as the General Manager who showed us around the restaurant, while he explained the thought put into every detail. The Robatayaki Bar they have created is ery cool! I had the Olive Shoju & my friend had a Lavender Shoju: both amazing! The menu selection is fantastic! I love the “tapas style” selections! Reminded me much of my favorite restaurants I frequented in Japan. We ordered a variety of items since they all sounded delicious! Our order included: a variety of sashimi, yellowtail ceviche, a tasty salad, grilled scallops w/ garlic sauce, lamb cutlet (to name a few). We loved it all! Everyone was so welcoming and pleasant. The cost is competitively priced compared to other restaurants in LA of it’s caliber. I plan to make Zu Robata one of my frequently visited places to eat and I plan to recommend it to many!
I have had two diners there. The foods is great, but and it’s a BIG BUT..the beer on tap SUCKS. I love a Sapporo with my sashimi, and they serve this on tap, BUT it’s not Sapporo It’s miller light. The second time I ordered a Sapporo thinking that it was a one time thing, it happened again. I returned it and tasted another. They all tasted horrible. No bottle here just tap. I was a bartender for many years. I know that Sapporo on tap is expensive. and Miller Light is not. Some places switch kegs to save a buck. I hope that this is not the case. I have worked for bars in the past that pulled that trick on their customers. And really, you can’t mistake Sapporo with Miller Light. So maybe the pipes are bad.
Avoid the beer, DEMAND Bottles. great food, bad beer.
I just happened to be reading reviews as my roommate works at the Zu and I know for 110% fact that they dont have Miller Lite there at ALL. And you can demand bottles til you turn blue but unless its wine or Saki its just not gonna happen there. The food is pretty darn good, too pricey for my blood but very good stuff. Excellent review LAMA hope the psyche ward lets you out in public a few more times this year so you can pick up your meds and give it another shot. Apparently you CAN mistake Sapporo with stupid.
I love when I read review blogs on restaurants and “Owners” chim in. For instants the blog entitled “funny ol LAMA”. Now it mentions that there “Roommate ” works there. Right, OK This may be true, But Boy Does this roommate know alot about the restaurant. I have had one or two roommates in my day and I could not tell you one thing about where they worked. Now I think it great that a owner or Manager too defend there restaurant. But to get personal about it. I like the place, I work across the street. and I think the place needs all the business it can get, I have a mouth, and I can type. It not wise to threw insults to one of the 4 customers that visit the place. Come on now, It a review…an opinion and you now how this is because I have ask for bottles before. If you can’t stand the heat….Get out of the kitchen.